United Arab Emirates FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
United Arab Emirates's fdi inflows was 7.72% in 2025, ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 6.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's fdi inflows stood at 7.72% in 2025, a decline of +0.54% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.72% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 32nd globally.
Foreign direct investment inflows to the United Arab Emirates have risen from 1.13 in 1970 to 7.72 in 2025, placing the country 32nd in the world. The upward trajectory reached its apex in 2024 with an inflow of 8.26, while a brief reversal occurred in 1999 when the net flow turned negative at –1.17. Over the 56‑year record, the UAE’s performance is comparable to peer economies such as North Macedonia, which recorded 7.71, and Zambia, which posted 7.86 in the same period. The post‑peak decline to 7.72 reflects a modest slowdown after the 2024 high, yet the figure remains well above the 1999 trough and continues to outpace many regional counterparts. Continued diversification away from oil‑dependent revenues and sustained investment‑friendly policies are likely to keep the UAE’s FDI inflows on an upward path, barring major external shocks that could reverse the recent trend.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 8.99% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.36% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 7.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.72% | −0.54% | #32 |
| 2024 | 8.26% | +2.39% | #24 |
| 2023 | 5.87% | +1.43% | #40 |
| 2022 | 4.45% | −0.45% | #56 |
| 2021 | 4.89% | −0.68% | #54 |
| 2020 | 5.57% | +1.45% | #37 |
| 2019 | 4.12% | +1.76% | #60 |
| 2018 | 2.36% | −0.21% | #108 |
| 2017 | 2.57% | +0.05% | #109 |
| 2016 | 2.52% | +0.28% | #107 |
| 2015 | 2.24% | −0.37% | #106 |
| 2014 | 2.61% | +0.22% | #102 |
| 2013 | 2.38% | −0.05% | #112 |
| 2012 | 2.44% | +0.50% | #119 |
| 2011 | 1.94% | −0.92% | #137 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi inflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's fdi inflows was 7.72% in 2025. Ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 6.6% decrease from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's fdi inflows peaked at 8.26% in 2024.
The lowest fdi inflows in United Arab Emirates was -1.17% in 1999.
United Arab Emirates ranks 32nd globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's fdi inflows is projected to reach 7.72% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 7.72%. This ranks 32nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_fdi-inflows,
title = {United Arab Emirates FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}