According to World Citizenship Report (WCR) 2026, a growing number of wealthy individuals around the world are no longer relying on a single citizenship to secure their future, as global instability becomes an increasingly influential factor in personal and financial decision-making.
The World Citizenship Report 2026 found that 71.6% of respondents are now more likely to consider obtaining an additional citizenship in response to global events. Only 2.7% said they were less likely to do so.
The findings point to a significant shift in how citizenship is perceived. Once viewed primarily as a legal status or a means of international travel, citizenship is increasingly being treated as a strategic asset that provides access, security and flexibility in an unpredictable world.
The report argues that instability is no longer considered a temporary disruption but has become a defining feature of the global landscape.
Economic divergence, geopolitical fragmentation, regulatory uncertainty and shifting global alliances are creating an environment in which affluent individuals are reassessing traditional assumptions about security and opportunity.
“There is a striking paradox in the present moment,” the report notes, describing a world where geopolitical developments can alter circumstances almost instantly, while long-term planning has become increasingly important for globally minded families.
Family security emerges as the primary concern
One of the report’s most notable findings is the changing motivation behind citizenship decisions.
When respondents were asked to identify the strategic benefits of obtaining an additional citizenship, family security and generational protection ranked first, followed by emergency and contingency planning. Asset and estate protection placed third. Financial considerations, while still important, ranked behind concerns related to family wellbeing and long-term resilience.
The findings suggest that wealthy families are increasingly focused on protecting future generations rather than simply pursuing economic advantages.
According to the survey, 73% of respondents have children and 72% are married, underscoring the importance of family considerations in citizenship planning. Access to education and healthcare for family members ranked among the most important long-term benefits associated with acquiring an additional citizenship.
The report argues that affluent families increasingly view citizenship as an intergenerational investment that can provide access to educational opportunities, healthcare systems and labour markets across multiple jurisdictions.
Confidence in existing citizenships weakens
While most respondents expressed some degree of confidence in their current citizenship, the data suggests that confidence is becoming increasingly conditional.
The survey found that 39.2% of respondents described themselves as only “somewhat confident” that their existing citizenship would provide the same security and opportunities over the next decade. A further 33.5% said they were very confident, while nearly 27% fell into uncertain or negative categories.
The report suggests that this uncertainty is contributing to a broader reassessment of long-term planning strategies among globally mobile individuals.
Researchers found that respondents increasingly regard second citizenship as a form of long-term risk management rather than a lifestyle enhancement.
The majority of those considering additional citizenships are not reacting to immediate crises but are instead responding to a perception that instability has become a permanent feature of the global environment.
Rise of multi-citizenship strategies
The report also highlights the growing prevalence of multiple citizenships among affluent individuals.
Approximately 15% of respondents already hold dual citizenship, while a further 5% possess three or more citizenships. Among those who currently hold only one nationality, many increasingly view an additional citizenship as a form of portfolio diversification rather than an escape route from political or economic difficulties.
Researchers describe this shift as part of a broader trend in which citizenship is being incorporated into long-term wealth and resilience planning alongside more traditional assets and investment strategies.
The findings indicate that business and professional opportunities remain a key motivator, cited by 29.9% of respondents, followed by investment diversification at 24.5% and tax efficiency at 22.3%. However, concerns about security and future uncertainty continue to dominate decision-making when families consider future scenarios.
Quality of life and security drive decisions
The report found that quality of life is now the single most important citizenship consideration among affluent individuals, accounting for 27.3% of preferences, ahead of financial and business opportunities. Healthcare, environmental quality and overall wellbeing were cited as increasingly influential factors in citizenship decisions.
Germany ranked first globally for quality of life with a score of 90.6, overtaking Norway, while Switzerland, Finland and Sweden completed the top five.
Safety and security also remain central to citizenship planning. Iceland topped the report’s Safety and Security rankings with a score of 90.5, followed by Switzerland and Denmark. Researchers noted that strong institutions, low crime rates and political stability continue to play a critical role in how individuals evaluate citizenship options.
Citizenship becomes a strategic asset
The report concludes that citizenship is increasingly being viewed through a broader lens than mobility alone.
Rather than focusing exclusively on travel access, affluent individuals are using citizenship to manage exposure to political and economic risk, improve access to opportunities across borders and strengthen long-term resilience for themselves and their families.
Researchers argue that the trend reflects a world in which uncertainty has become a permanent condition rather than an exceptional event.
As geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and regulatory changes continue to reshape the international landscape, the report suggests that a growing number of affluent individuals are concluding that one citizenship may no longer be enough.
