United Arab Emirates FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
United Arab Emirates's fdi outflows was 11.63% in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 16.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's fdi outflows stood at 11.63% in 2025, a decline of +2.34% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 11.63% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 4th globally.
United Arab Emirates outward foreign direct investment (FDI) reached US$11.63 billion in 2025, ranking fourth worldwide and reflecting a sustained expansion after the all‑time peak of US$13.97 billion in 2024. The series, which spans 46 years from a negligible -0.00 billion in 1980, shows a pronounced trough of -0.11 billion in 1990 before the turn‑around that began in the early 2000s. Compared with peer economies, the UAE’s 2025 outflows exceed Kuwait’s US$10.23 billion and fall short of the Cayman Islands’ US$16.31 billion, underscoring its position as a major regional conduit for capital export. The post‑peak decline from 2024’s high suggests a modest easing of outbound investment, likely linked to tighter global financing conditions and a strategic shift toward domestic diversification. Continued diversification of the UAE’s non‑oil sectors and improvements in the investment climate could sustain or even revive outbound flows, while prolonged external shocks might dampen the upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 14.88% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 13.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 11.63% | - | - |
| 2025 | 11.63% | −2.34% | #4 |
| 2024 | 13.97% | +9.70% | #164 |
| 2023 | 4.27% | −0.59% | #161 |
| 2022 | 4.86% | −0.48% | #159 |
| 2021 | 5.34% | +0.03% | #154 |
| 2020 | 5.30% | +0.41% | #165 |
| 2019 | 4.89% | +1.47% | #162 |
| 2018 | 3.42% | −0.06% | #161 |
| 2017 | 3.49% | −0.63% | #152 |
| 2016 | 4.12% | −0.25% | #152 |
| 2015 | 4.37% | +1.61% | #152 |
| 2014 | 2.76% | +0.61% | #147 |
| 2013 | 2.16% | +1.51% | #134 |
| 2012 | 0.65% | +0.06% | #94 |
| 2011 | 0.59% | −0.06% | #96 |
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 outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's fdi outflows was 11.63% in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 16.8% decrease from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's fdi outflows peaked at 13.97% in 2024.
The lowest fdi outflows in United Arab Emirates was -0.11% in 1990.
United Arab Emirates ranks 4th globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's fdi outflows is projected to reach 11.63% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 11.63%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_fdi-outflows,
title = {United Arab Emirates FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}