Kuwait FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Kuwait's fdi inflows was 1.25% in 2025, ranked 134th globally. This represents a 225.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's fdi inflows stood at 1.25% in 2025, a rise of +0.86% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.25% by 2025. Kuwait ranked 134th globally.
Kuwait’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have shown pronounced volatility over the 56‑year series, rising from an early‑period level of 0.90 in 1970 to a historic high of 6.11 in 1994, before slipping to a negative trough of –0.50 in 2020. The most recent World Bank estimate for 2025 records inflows of 1.25, placing Kuwait at rank 134 globally. This figure sits just above Guinea‑Bissau’s 1.20 and below the United States’ 1.35, illustrating that Kuwait’s current performance is modest relative to both a small island economy and a major advanced economy. The post‑1994 decline reflects a combination of regional geopolitical shocks, oil‑price fluctuations and limited diversification of the investment base, while the 2020 contraction coincided with the COVID‑19 pandemic and a sharp drop in global capital flows. If Kuwait expands its non‑oil sector, improves regulatory transparency and leverages its strategic location, the upward trend in FDI inflows could accelerate, potentially restoring levels nearer to the 1990s peak.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.89% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.57% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.25% | +0.86% | #134 |
| 2024 | 0.38% | −0.90% | #156 |
| 2023 | 1.28% | +0.87% | #129 |
| 2022 | 0.41% | +0.59% | #160 |
| 2021 | -0.18% | +0.32% | #178 |
| 2020 | -0.50% | −0.87% | #167 |
| 2019 | 0.37% | +0.38% | #169 |
| 2018 | -0.02% | −0.11% | #173 |
| 2017 | 0.09% | −0.17% | #178 |
| 2016 | 0.27% | +0.02% | #178 |
| 2015 | 0.25% | −0.05% | #173 |
| 2014 | 0.30% | −0.52% | #178 |
| 2013 | 0.82% | −0.83% | #162 |
| 2012 | 1.65% | −0.47% | #139 |
| 2011 | 2.12% | +0.99% | #126 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi inflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's fdi inflows was 1.25% in 2025. Ranked 134th globally. This represents a 225.2% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's fdi inflows peaked at 6.11% in 1994.
The lowest fdi inflows in Kuwait was -0.50% in 2020.
Kuwait ranks 134th globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's fdi inflows is projected to reach 1.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of Kuwait in 2025 was 1.25%. This ranks 134th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_fdi-inflows,
title = {Kuwait FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}