RIYADH: Saudi Arabia jumped to 13th place globally in attracting foreign direct investment in 2025, climbing from 17th the previous year, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
In its latest report, UNCTAD said that the Kingdom attracted FDI amounting to $33 billion in 2025, representing an increase of 51.14 percent compared to 2024.
The uptick underscores Saudi Arabia’s sustained push to draw long-term foreign capital as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification drive, which seeks to reduce reliance on oil revenues. As part of the strategy, the country has set an ambitious target of attracting $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030.
The UAE retained its ninth spot on the list, attracting FDI amounting to $48 billion in 2025, up from $46 billion the previous year.
“The UAE and Saudi Arabia recorded strong growth in FDI, driven by energy, infrastructure and diversification strategies. Qatar also recorded a notable increase in FDI inflows, from $460 million to $3 billion, driven by investments in chemicals, energy, and information and communication services,” said UNCTAD.
