2025 Study: Where High Earners Keep Most of Their Money 

More than 640 million adults worldwide have a net worth of at least $100,000, with this number having grown significantly over the past two decades. A new study by the trading firm Atmos analyzed countries worldwide to identify the best destinations for high earners seeking wealth building and superior living standards.

The research developed a Wealth Comfort Score that evaluated countries based on safety, quality of life, taxation policies, and cost of living. Only countries with safety standards above 60 were included in the final rankings, ensuring a minimum threshold for secure living conditions. The final scores ranged from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable environments for high-income people.

Oman ranks first as the best global destination for high earners. The Sultanate delivers great value through zero personal income tax, zero capital gains tax, and zero inheritance tax, creating completely tax-free conditions for affluent residents. With the lowest monthly living costs of just $753, Oman combines affordability with strong safety standards while also offering attractive investment visa programs that facilitate long-term residency.

Andorra secures second place with its modest tax legislation. The principality charges just 10% on both income and capital gains while maintaining zero inheritance tax. With living expenses at $898 monthly and an outstanding quality of life rating, Andorra does well in public security. The country also provides easy residency options for wealthy foreigners, making it the best European option for high earners.

Qatar takes third position. The nation imposes zero income tax and zero inheritance tax while applying a moderate 10% capital gains rate. Qatar sustains affordable living costs at $889 monthly while registering great safety metrics. Qatar also implements its Golden Visa program, offering easier routes to permanent residency for investors and high earners.

Brunei ranks fourth, delivering complete tax elimination across all categories. The sultanate upholds zero income tax, zero capital gains tax, and zero inheritance tax, matching Oman’s tax-free approach. Brunei offers moderate monthly expenses of $801 and solid quality of life standards. The country also welcomes high-earner expatriates through special visa arrangements.

The United Arab Emirates captures fifth place as yet another Gulf option for high earners. The federation sets zero taxes on income, capital gains, and inheritance categories while demonstrating the highest safety standards among all ranked nations. The UAE’s living costs are close to the study average, and the country is offering the Golden Residence program that facilitates long-term stays.

Saudi Arabia holds the sixth position with a selective taxation approach. The kingdom provides zero income tax and zero inheritance tax while applying a 20% capital gains rate, still reasonable by international standards. Saudi Arabia offers solid security levels for high-income residents seeking Gulf region advantages, while keeping monthly housing expenses at just $817. The country’s recent Premium Residency initiatives welcome affluent international professionals.

Estonia ranks seventh, proving European nations can compete through innovative tax structures. The Baltic state charges 20% on both income and capital gains while maintaining zero inheritance tax. Monthly expenses in Estonia stand at $1,051, which is reasonable in the European context. The country is perfectly safe and shows excellent quality of life standards. Estonia’s digital nomad visas and startup programs especially appeal to tech-savvy high earners seeking EU access.

Luxembourg secures eighth place as the EU’s financial hub. The grand duchy applies 42% income tax, 21% capital gains tax, and 14.4% inheritance tax. Living costs in Luxembourg amount to $1,263 monthly, supporting the highest quality of life among all countries studied. The country also runs investor residence programs that grant access to European Union benefits.

Bahrain takes ninth position, continuing the Gulf states’ dominance in the rankings. The island nation stands out with complete tax elimination across income, capital gains, and inheritance categories. Bahrain keeps housing expenses at a manageable $854 per month, while accommodating high-income individuals with a safe local environment and flexible visa policies.

The Isle of Man completes the top 10, offering unique offshore advantages. The British Crown dependency charges 22% income tax while eliminating capital gains and inheritance taxes entirely. With living expenses of $1,214 monthly and the high quality of life scores nearly matching Luxembourg levels, the Isle of Man provides great value for wealthy individuals. The island ensures secure conditions while its special relationship with the UK provides additional stability for high earners seeking offshore benefits.

“The research reveals a geographic pattern in wealth optimization opportunities,” says Nick Cooke, the CEO of Atmos. “Gulf states consistently offer the most attractive conditions through complete tax elimination combined with strong safety records, while select European jurisdictions compete through quality of life and EU access. It’s also worth pointing out that every top-performing country sustains solid security standards, as wealthy individuals shouldn’t be sacrificing personal safety for tax advantages. For high earners facing increasing tax pressures in traditional markets, these countries can truly provide legitimate pathways to preserve more wealth while maintaining high living standards.”