Dubai has retained its position as the world’s leading destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, securing the top spot for the eighth consecutive half-year. The emirate recorded 643 new ventures in the first six months of 2025 — the highest half-year figure since data collection began in 2003.
According to figures compiled by fDi Markets, part of the Financial Times Group, Dubai outpaced the second-ranked city by nearly 500 projects. Officials say the achievement underscores investor confidence in the emirate’s economic policies, particularly the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the city’s economy by 2033.
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attributed the accomplishment to the city’s forward-looking vision. He said Dubai’s resilience and ability to embrace emerging technologies and sustainable sectors continue to strengthen global confidence in its economic future.
The first half of 2025 also saw Dubai move up to second place globally for FDI capital inflows, rising from fourth place a year earlier. The emirate ranked third worldwide for new jobs generated by foreign investment.
Key sectors driving this growth include artificial intelligence, financial technology, life sciences, creative industries, and financial services. Broader gains were also reported across business services, construction, retail, and logistics.
Overall, FDI capital surged by 62 percent to 40.4 billion dirhams ($11 billion), the number of projects grew 28.7 percent to 1,090, and job creation increased by nearly 47 percent to more than 38,400 positions. The United States remained the largest source of capital, followed by the United Kingdom, France, and India.
Helal Saeed Al-Marri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said the results highlight Dubai’s “resilience, agility, and capacity to adapt to global economic shifts.” He added that the performance reflects the trust international investors, multinational firms, and start-ups continue to place in the emirate.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia and Qatar also posted significant gains in 2024. Saudi FDI inflows grew 24 percent to 119 billion riyals ($31.7 billion), while Qatar attracted $2.74 billion through 241 projects, generating over 9,300 jobs.