HNWIs leaving UK: What the data says

🗣️ “All the HNWIs I know are leaving the UK…” It certainly makes for compelling dinner conversation… but as ever, it’s wise to look at the data rather than the anecdotes. Let’s take a closer look ✈️ According to Henley Private Wealth’s recent Migration Report, the UK is projected to see a net outflow of 16,500 HNWIs in 2025, which, on the surface, would be a record-breaking figure globally. But zooming out: the UK is currently home to 2.86 million HNWIs, so that figure equates to just 0.58% of the base. Meanwhile, Statista’s forecasts suggest that the UK’s HNWI population could grow over 48% to 4.24 million in the next two years. So while headlines may highlight exits, the broader picture points to continued engagement with the UK as a key financial and innovation hub. 🤖 On the innovation front, the UK continues to attract significant activity: record AI investment of £2.9 billion in 2024. The AI sector now contributes an estimated £23.9 billion annually, supporting 86,000+ jobs across 5,800+ companies. For founders, access to customers, regulatory frameworks, and institutions creates a distinctive environment for experimentation and scale. 🏦 On the funding front, the UK captured 32% of European tech funding in 2024 (£7.4bn), more than France and Germany combined. Furthermore, Cambridge as a UK hub generates 16.9x value per VC dollar – which sits ahead of even Silicon Valley’s benchmarks. Despite delisting concerns, IPO proceeds tripled to £3.4bn in 2024, while the London Stock Exchange raised £24.3 billion total – fourth globally behind only the US, India, and Japan. 💭 So next time the topic comes up, perhaps in a meeting, on a call, or over dinner, it’s worth remembering that while some headlines speak of departure, much of the data still points to resilience and momentum within the UK landscape.