Asia-Pacific heirs are leaning heavily on professional advisors as families prepare to pass on substantial private fortunes, according to a UBS report that examined attitudes toward succession across regions.
The Swiss bank estimates an $83 trillion transfer of private wealth over the next two to three decades. Within that broader projection, more than 40% of families in the Asia-Pacific region are either in the process of transferring assets or are actively planning to do so. Among those who stand to inherit, about 72% said they would approach wealth managers and family officers first for guidance.
By contrast, the report found that 42% of prospective inheritors in North America and 19% in Europe indicated they would look first to the same types of professional advisers. UBS framed these differences as evidence that families across regions are adopting varied approaches to succession and that demand for professional support is particularly pronounced in APAC.
"We see APAC families adopting a more structured, deliberate approach to intergenerational transition," said Young Jin Yee, co-head of UBS Global Wealth Management APAC. "The next generation is also telling us that access to a strong global network is what truly differentiates a wealth manager."
UBS described the findings in its inaugural Global Next Generation Report. The report synthesizes two surveys conducted between May 2025 and January 2026 and comprises 175 responses from around the world, with roughly 11% of those responses coming from the Asia-Pacific region.
Globally, nearly a third of respondents said their families are already transferring wealth. Within those family conversations, parents and senior wealth owners most frequently initiated the discussion about succession, the report said. UBS Group AG is identified as the author of the report.
The UBS analysis defines the "next generation" as individuals who are set to inherit wealth and take on an enlarged role in managing their families' fortunes and businesses. The bank's findings point to a high reliance on professional advisers among APAC heirs and noticeable regional differences in how families approach succession planning.
Methodology note: The report is based on two surveys conducted from May 2025 to January 2026 with a total of 175 global responses; approximately 11% of those respondents were from the Asia-Pacific region.