Billionaire families across the world are preparing for a historic transfer of wealth. According to the latest UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report, close to $7 trillion in assets is expected to be passed on to the next generation by 2040. Around $5.9 trillion of this amount will go directly or indirectly to children, making this one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers ever recorded.
This shift reflects the aging profile of many billionaire founders and the growing importance of succession planning. As these fortunes move into new hands, the transfer is expected to influence global financial markets, wealth management strategies, and long-term economic trends.
United States Set to Receive the Largest Share
The United States is projected to receive the biggest portion of inherited billionaire wealth. Heirs of U.S. billionaires are expected to inherit around $2.8 trillion over the next 15 years. The country has the highest concentration of billionaires globally, particularly in technology, finance, and industrial sectors, which explains the scale of the expected transfer.
Wealth managers in the U.S. are already focusing heavily on estate planning, governance structures, and tax considerations as families prepare for this transition.
Asia’s Growing Role in Wealth Inheritance
Asia is expected to play an increasingly important role in the global wealth transfer story. In India, billionaire heirs are forecast to receive about $382.4 billion by 2040. Larger family sizes and an older generation of wealth creators contribute to this figure.
In China, including mainland China and Hong Kong, total wealth transfers are projected at around $315.7 billion. Hong Kong alone accounts for approximately $180.4 billion, reflecting its role as a long-established wealth center. Demographic differences, including smaller family sizes, may influence how wealth is distributed across the region.
Europe’s Established Wealth Structures
In Western Europe, more than $1.3 trillion is expected to be passed down to the next generation. Countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Spain are leading this transition.
Many European billionaire families already rely on structured succession models, including trusts, family foundations, and long-term estate planning frameworks, which can make generational transfers more orderly compared to newer wealth regions.
Middle East and Africa See Steady Transfers
Across the Middle East and Africa, an estimated $152.7 billion is expected to be inherited by heirs in countries including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.
These regions continue to strengthen their position as wealth hubs, supported by growing financial infrastructure, family office activity, and policies aimed at retaining capital across generations.
Rising Mobility Among Billionaires
The report also highlights increased mobility among billionaire families. About 36% of surveyed billionaires have already relocated at least once, while another 9% are considering moving. Younger billionaires, especially those under the age of 54, are more likely to relocate than older generations.
Lifestyle preferences, political stability, and financial considerations are among the main reasons behind these moves. This mobility influences where wealth is ultimately held, managed, and reinvested after inheritance.
A Defining Wealth Shift Ahead
As nearly $7 trillion moves into the hands of the next generation, the global impact will extend beyond family wealth alone. The transition is expected to affect investment behavior, philanthropy, real estate markets, and the way large fortunes are managed over the long term.
With younger heirs stepping into more active roles, the coming years will be critical in shaping how this wealth is preserved, grown, and used in an evolving global economy.
