Nearly 64% entrepreneurs in India spend money on real estate for personal use: HSBC report

Rich entrepreneurs in India spend their wealth to follow a luxury lifestyle, as their optimism and global outlook help them expand their horizons across borders, according to research by HSBC.

The HSBC Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2025 reveals that allocations toward real estate for personal use (64%), health and wellness (61%), and luxury experiences (59%) are notably higher among entrepreneurs in India compared to their global counterparts.

The report shows that entrepreneurs in India are optimistic about their personal wealth outlook, with 95% predicting their wealth will increase in the coming years. Of these, 56% believe their wealth will improve greatly, while 39% expect moderate growth. This optimism is especially strong in markets like the U.K., the UAE, India, and Singapore. Main reasons for this positivity in India include opportunities for new investments and ventures (64%), good performance of investment portfolios (56%), a favourable economic outlook for the local economy (54%), and strong business performance (43%).

When it comes to business outlook, entrepreneurs in India show strong confidence, with 98% expressing optimism. They believe that technological advancements and business opportunities will be major drivers of growth, the report stated.

According to the report, entrepreneurs in India have a notably international outlook, with 73% holding multi-residency status—substantially higher than the global average of 56%. Most are willing to relocate abroad, with the U.K. and the U.S. becoming the leading destinations, followed by Switzerland, the UAE, and Singapore.

Among entrepreneurs planning a personal move, the main reasons for cross-border relocation include a better quality of life for themselves and their families (78%), access to new investment opportunities (75%), and expanding their business into new markets (71%). The U.K. remains the top destination for Indian entrepreneurs wanting to move wealth, followed by Singapore, the U.S., Switzerland, and the UAE, as per the report.

Sandeep Batra, head of international wealth and premier banking, HSBC India, said, “Indian entrepreneurs are redefining the global playbook with their optimism, ambition, and growth mindset. Their investments in luxury lifestyles, global mobility, and diversified portfolios signal not just confidence in their wealth trajectory but also their readiness to capitalise on the next wave of global opportunities and deepening international wealth corridors as globalisation enters a new phase.”

The report shows that wealthy entrepreneurs in India maintain diverse investment portfolios. They mainly focus on life insurance (73%), property investments such as commercial real estate (58%), publicly traded stocks (53%), and private assets (51%). Additionally, 42% of respondents prioritise charitable donations, indicating their commitment to giving back to society.

Despite their optimism, Indian entrepreneurs face difficulties in managing their global operations and wealth. Main concerns include the complexities of running existing businesses from abroad (50%), visa and residency requirements (49%), and challenges in purchasing property in new locations (48%). Succession planning also remains critical, with 64% expressing worries about structuring business transfers effectively.