Saudi Arabia climbs to 13th in global FDI
Saudi Arabia ranked 13th among the world’s top 20 host economies for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025. 
According to the World Investment Report 2026 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Kingdom’s ranking improved after FDI inflows surged nearly 57% to $33 billion in 2025 from $21 billion a year earlier. The increase lifted Saudi Arabia four places among the world’s largest FDI host economies.
The report attributed the Kingdom’s strong performance to its energy, infrastructure, and economic diversification strategies.
Index
2024
2025
Change
FDI inflows to Saudi Arabia – USD bln
21
33
+12
Saudi Arabia’s ranking among the world’s largest FDI host economies
17
13
+4 places
Global FDI inflows increased 6% year on year to $1.6 trillion in 2025, while inflows to developing economies rose 2% to $901 billion.
The growth was driven primarily by a limited number of mega projects, particularly investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
However, greenfield investment activity remained subdued across most sectors amid heightened investor uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions, volatile trade policies, elevated capital costs, and intense competition.
The list of the world’s largest FDI host economies continued to reflect a high concentration of global investment flows, with the top 10 destinations accounting for more than 64% of total global FDI inflows in 2025.
Developing economies also featured prominently, representing half of the top 20 FDI host economies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Brazil, India, and Mexico, underscoring the continued role of emerging markets in attracting investment despite varying regional performance.
The United States retained its position as the world’s largest recipient of FDI in 2025, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Brazil.
Largest FDI Host Economies (USD bln)
Rank
Country
Investment Value 2024
Investment Value 2025
1
USA
284
277
2
Singapore
136
151
3
Hong Kong
138
116
4
China
116
105
5
Brazil
63
77
6
UK
16
75
7
Germany
21
74
8
Canada
67
67
9
UAE
46
48
10
Mexico
38
41
11
India
27
39
12
Australia
51
35
13
Saudi Arabia
21
33
Saudi Arabia climbs to 13th in global FDI
Saudi Arabia ranked 13th among the world’s top 20 host economies for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025.
According to the World Investment Report 2026 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Kingdom’s ranking improved after FDI inflows surged nearly 57% to $33 billion in 2025 from $21 billion a year earlier. The increase lifted Saudi Arabia four places among the world’s largest FDI host economies.
The report attributed the Kingdom’s strong performance to its energy, infrastructure, and economic diversification strategies.
Index
2024
2025
Change
FDI inflows to Saudi Arabia – USD bln
21
33
+12
Saudi Arabia’s ranking among the world’s largest FDI host economies
17
13
+4 places
Global FDI inflows increased 6% year on year to $1.6 trillion in 2025, while inflows to developing economies rose 2% to $901 billion.
The growth was driven primarily by a limited number of mega projects, particularly investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
However, greenfield investment activity remained subdued across most sectors amid heightened investor uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions, volatile trade policies, elevated capital costs, and intense competition.
The list of the world’s largest FDI host economies continued to reflect a high concentration of global investment flows, with the top 10 destinations accounting for more than 64% of total global FDI inflows in 2025.
Developing economies also featured prominently, representing half of the top 20 FDI host economies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Brazil, India, and Mexico, underscoring the continued role of emerging markets in attracting investment despite varying regional performance.
The United States retained its position as the world’s largest recipient of FDI in 2025, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Brazil.
Largest FDI Host Economies (USD bln)
Rank
Country
Investment Value 2024
Investment Value 2025
1
USA
284
277
2
Singapore
136
151
3
Hong Kong
138
116
4
China
116
105
5
Brazil
63
77
6
UK
16
75
7
Germany
21
74
8
Canada
67
67
9
UAE
46
48
10
Mexico
38
41
11
India
27
39
12
Australia
51
35
13
Saudi Arabia
21
33
