Saudi Arabia climbs to 13th globally in FDI inflows

11:07 PM, July 18, 2026

The latest UNCTAD report highlights Saudi Arabia's steady climb in global FDI rankings amid ongoing economic reforms.

The report showed that net FDI inflows into the Kingdom reached $32.6 billion in 2025, compared with $21.3 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 53%. (File photo)

July 18, 2026 | 11:07 PM

Saudi Gazette

Last Updated: July 18, 2026 | 11:07 PM

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RIYADH — Saudi Arabia climbed to 13th place among the world's largest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, up from 17th in 2024, according to the latest World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Net FDI inflows to Saudi Arabia hit $32.6 billion in 2025, up from $21.3 billion in 2024 — a jump of almost 53%, according to the report.

The Kingdom's total inward FDI stock climbed to $293.3 billion, underscoring sustained investor trust and the increasing appeal of its key industries.

UNCTAD attributed the strong performance to sustained investment across key sectors aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, including energy, infrastructure, technology, advanced industries and logistics.

The report highlights the Kingdom's progress in strengthening its investment environment over the past five years through the National Investment Strategy, which aims to enhance competitiveness, streamline market entry for investors and support long-term economic growth.

This progress aligns with the National Investment Strategy's goals to boost competitiveness and streamline market access. The sustained growth in FDI inflows indicates that Vision 2030 initiatives continue to attract long-term capital. Analysts will watch whether this momentum can be maintained amid global economic uncertainties.