Kuwait FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Kuwait's fdi outflows was 10.23% in 2025, ranked 5th globally. This represents a 58.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's fdi outflows stood at 10.23% in 2025, a rise of +3.79% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.23% by 2025. Kuwait ranked 5th globally.
Kuwait’s foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows have risen markedly since the series began in 1975 with 0.77 million USD, reflecting the country’s expanding role in overseas capital deployment. After a pronounced negative swing in 2003, when outflows fell to –10.36 million USD, the trajectory turned upward, reaching an all‑time high of 13.38 million USD in 2022. The latest figure for 2025 stands at 10.23 million USD, placing Kuwait fifth worldwide and just below the United Arab Emirates, which recorded 11.63 million USD. Over the 51‑year coverage, the pattern shows a gradual shift from net capital withdrawal in the early 2000s to sustained net investment abroad, driven by diversification initiatives and sovereign wealth fund activity. If economic diversification accelerates and regional investment opportunities expand, Kuwait’s FDI outflows are likely to maintain an upward trend, potentially closing the gap with leading peers such as the UAE.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 13.33% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 11.78% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 10.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.23% | +3.79% | #5 |
| 2024 | 6.44% | −0.33% | #160 |
| 2023 | 6.77% | −6.61% | #165 |
| 2022 | 13.38% | +14.89% | #169 |
| 2021 | -1.51% | −4.35% | #8 |
| 2020 | 2.84% | −0.48% | #156 |
| 2019 | 3.32% | +1.18% | #155 |
| 2018 | 2.14% | −3.69% | #148 |
| 2017 | 5.83% | −0.02% | #161 |
| 2016 | 5.85% | +1.10% | #162 |
| 2015 | 4.75% | −3.31% | #154 |
| 2014 | 8.06% | −1.50% | #164 |
| 2013 | 9.56% | +5.69% | #160 |
| 2012 | 3.87% | −3.12% | #145 |
| 2011 | 6.99% | +1.89% | #157 |
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 outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's fdi outflows was 10.23% in 2025. Ranked 5th globally. This represents a 58.8% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's fdi outflows peaked at 13.38% in 2022.
The lowest fdi outflows in Kuwait was -10.36% in 2003.
Kuwait ranks 5th globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's fdi outflows is projected to reach 10.23% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of Kuwait in 2025 was 10.23%. This ranks 5th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_fdi-outflows,
title = {Kuwait FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}