According to the newly released USA Spotlight Report 2026 by CS Global Partners, wealthy Americans are increasingly turning to established Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes as part of a broader strategy focused on diversification and long-term security.

The USA Spotlight Report 2026 forms part of the wider World Citizenship Report, which incorporates the World Citizenship Index (WCI). Its findings point to declining confidence among wealthy Americans in their government’s ability to maintain the same level of security, family protection and economic opportunity over the next decade.

Among mass affluent Americans, only around one in three expressed confidence that their existing citizenship would continue to provide the same level of security and opportunity in the years ahead. HNWIs similarly expressed concerns about the country’s economic competitiveness and their ability to rely on the current system for long-term security.

This uncertainty is necessary in demand for alternative citizenship. Enquiries from the United States rose steadily throughout 2025 and continued to gain momentum in 2026, suggesting that more Americans are considering additional citizenship as a way to reduce their dependence on a single jurisdiction.

America’s Changing Position

The report also highlighted a notable decline in the perceived power of the United States, with political uncertainty and other developments affecting its standing. Despite remaining a major global force and attracting significant attention through events such as the FIFA World Cup, policy changes and ongoing debates around citizenship, wealthy Americans are continuing to explore opportunities beyond their home country.

One of the report’s most notable findings was China’s rise above the United States as the leading destination for economic opportunity. China secured the top position in the USA Spotlight Report 2026, while the United States moved into second place.

However, the shift does not necessarily suggest that wealthy Americans are turning away from the United States. Instead, it points towards a growing emphasis on optionality, with families looking to build greater flexibility and reduce the risks associated with depending entirely on one country.

The report captures this shift by noting that American families are increasingly viewing second citizenship as a long-term planning decision rather than a response to an individual political event.

The trend is reinforced by the report’s findings that 71.6% of mass affluent respondents would be more likely to consider an additional citizenship in response to global events, compared with just 2.7% who would be less likely to do so.

For American families, the reasons behind this interest extend beyond mobility. Business and professional opportunities, investment diversification, family security and long-term planning are increasingly influencing decisions to pursue an additional citizenship.

Family security and generational protection were also identified as the leading strategic benefits of holding a second citizenship. This underlines a broader shift in how wealthy Americans view citizenship, not simply as a matter of nationality, but as part of a wider strategy for protecting their families and maintaining greater choice in an increasingly uncertain global environment.