Dubai Ranks No.1 Globally for Greenfield FDI Projects for Fourth Consecutive Year

Dubai, March9, 2025 – Dubai has once again been ranked the world’s top destination for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects for the fourth consecutive year, according to the latest data from the Financial Times Ltd.’s fDi Markets.

In 2024, Dubai attracted a record-breaking AED 52.3 billion ($14.24 billion) in estimated FDI capital, marking a 33.2% increase from the previous year's AED 39.26 billion ($10.69 billion). The emirate also achieved 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects, the highest in its history, and 1,826 total announced FDI projects, an 11% increase from 2023. This expansion created an estimated 58,680 jobs, a 31% rise compared to the previous year.

Leadership’s Vision and Strategic Growth

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, highlighted that Dubai’s record-breaking performance reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

“Dubai’s ability to consolidate its status as a leading global destination for foreign direct investment underscores its commitment to delivering exceptional value to investors. The city continues to evolve in response to global economic and technological transformations, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and establish it among the world’s top three urban economies,” Sheikh Hamdan stated.

Dubai’s Rise as a Global Investment Hub

Dubai has been ranked No.1 in Greenfield FDI projects across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region and fourth globally for attracting Greenfield FDI capital, moving up from fifth place in 2023. The city also advanced from fourth to third place globally in job creation through FDI and led MEA rankings in capital inflows and employment generation.

Dubai has also strengthened its position as a top global hub for investment, excelling in key industries such as:

Business services, software and IT, real estate, transportation, financial services, industrial equipment, and consumer products.

For the third year in a row, Dubai ranked No.1 globally in attracting Headquarter (HQ) FDI projects, with 50 HQ projects in 2024.

Sustained Investor Confidence and Market Expansion

Dubai’s 2024 FDI performance has been bolstered by transformational projects and strategies under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aimed at strengthening Dubai’s global economic footprint. The emirate accounted for 6.2% of the global Greenfield FDI market share and 55% of total Greenfield FDI projects in the Middle East.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), noted:“Our ability to attract capital despite global economic shifts is a testament to Dubai’s economic resilience and future-ready investment ecosystem. Investors continue to place strong confidence in Dubai’s stable regulatory environment, cost-effective energy solutions, and strategic global partnerships.”

Top FDI Source Countries and Sectors

The top five source countries for FDI capital inflows into Dubai in 2024 were:

India – 21.5%
United States – 13.7%
France – 11%
United Kingdom – 10%
Switzerland – 6.9%

Dubai’s leading FDI sectors based on capital inflows:

Hotels & Tourism – 14%
Real Estate – 14%
Software & IT Services – 9.2%
Building Materials – 9%
Financial Services – 6.8%

The FDI outlook for 2025 remains positive, with Dubai poised to continue attracting high-value investment in advanced technology, AI, and innovation-driven sectors. The city's favorable regulations and incentives ensure its continued global appeal for investors, multinational corporations, and startups alike.

Dubai’s record-breaking FDI growth reaffirms its status as a leading global hub for investment, business expansion, and economic innovation, further cementing its role as a key player in the future of the global economy.