Move abroad or add a residency? Survey reveals wealthy Indian entrepreneurs’ plans

As per the latest business developments, Nearly three-quarters of wealthy Indian entrepreneurs surveyed by HSBC plan to relocate abroad or add another residency, with Singapore the most popular destination, according to the bank’s Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2026.

The survey found that 74% of Indian respondents scheduled such a move, compared with 70% globally. Singapore was cited by 14%, followed by France, the UK and the US at 11% each.

HSBC released the India findings on September 29. Ipsos UK conducted the survey between April 1 and May 15, covering 3,085 current business owners across 17 markets. The research focused on high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth entrepreneurs.

The residency figure combines plans to relocate and plans to add a residence. Separately, the report found that 70% of Indian respondents already lived in more than one country for some or part of the year. Globally, that share was 72%.

Singapore retained its position as the leading destination globally for entrepreneurs planning a new residency, with 9% choosing it. Japan followed at 7%, rising from joint third place in the previous year’s survey.

The Indian respondents additionally noted expectations of rising wealth. Around 97% anticipated their personal wealth to improve over the next few years, up from 95% in 2025 and above the global figure of 90%. Just over half, or 51%, anticipated it to get “a lot better”.

On business prospects, 97% of Indian respondents were positive. Technological advancements were cited by 46% as a reason for optimism, business opportunities and performance by 42%, and advances in artificial intelligence by 40%.

The survey found that 99% had already changed, or scheduled to change, their business operations in response to AI, compared with 95% globally. Around 65% had already made adjustments, against 60% across all markets surveyed.

More than half, or 54%, scheduled to invest between 11% and 30% of their annual turnover in AI over the next 12 months. The corresponding global share was 61%.

Some 45% of Indian respondents anticipated AI to gain employee headcount within two years, while 25% anticipated a reduction. Globally, 44% anticipated an gain and 23% a slide.

“Indian entrepreneurs are approaching AI with ambition, recognising its potential to strengthen competitiveness and backing the next phase of business expansion,” stated Sandeep Batra, head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India.

Data privacy and security risks were the most frequently cited AI concern among Indian respondents, at 44%. Employee resistance linked to fears of job losses followed at 38%, while 35% cited the challenge of integrating AI into legacy systems without disruption.

In their personal portfolios, gold was the most commonly held investment among Indian respondents, at 63%, followed by cash at 54%, real estate funds at 51% and private equity funds at 48%.

Among respondents who already held the relevant assets, 71% scheduled to gain investments in real estate funds over the next 12 months. Gold, direct investments in private firms and infrastructure funds each attracted scheduled increases from 61% of existing holders.

For alternative investments, the leading considerations were elevated risk-adjusted returns, cited by 50%, followed by inflation protection and portfolio diversification at 46% each. The main concerns were valuation transparency at 39%, fees and costs at 38%, and market correction risk and limited liquidity at 36% each.