Dubai Ranked World's No.1 Destination For Greenfield FDI Projects For 4th Consecutive Year

Dubai has been ranked the world's top destination for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects for the fourth year in a row, according to data from the Financial Times Ltd.'s "fDi Markets."

The emirate attracted AED 52.3 billion ($14.24 billion) in estimated FDI capital last year, a 33.2% increase from AED 39.26 billion ($10.69 billion) in 2023. This marks the highest FDI value recorded in a single year for Dubai since 2020, WAM reported.

Dubai set a new record by attracting 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects in 2024, the highest in its history. The emirate also saw an 11% rise in total announced FDI projects, reaching 1,826 compared to 1,650 in 2023, according to DET's Dubai FDI Monitor.

This is the highest number of announced FDI projects ever recorded in Dubai. Furthermore, FDI investments created an estimated 58,680 jobs in 2024, a 31% increase from 44,745 jobs generated in 2023.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the emirate has consistently strengthened its position as a top global destination for foreign direct investment by offering exceptional opportunities to investors.

"...The city's ranking as the world's No.1 destination for attracting Greenfield FDI for the fourth consecutive year is a testament to its ability not only to set new global benchmarks for sustained, rapid growth but also to continuously evolve its investment proposition in response to changes sweeping the international market," he added.

He further said that even amid economic headwinds elsewhere, Dubai continues to rise as a global magnet for investment, enterprise, and talent, offering stability, world-class infrastructure, and a dynamic business environment.

The emirate remains focused on fostering innovation, boosting economic competitiveness, and creating an ecosystem that supports businesses and investors in achieving success. With ambitious goals, Dubai is determined to strengthen its position as a leading global city and a hub for top talent and pioneering enterprises.

In 2024, the top five countries contributed 63% of Dubai's total FDI capital, with India leading at 21.5%, followed by the U.S. (13.7%), France (11%), the U.K. (10%), and Switzerland (6.9%). For total FDI projects, the U.K. ranked first (17%), followed by India (15%), the U.S. (14%), France (4.5%), and Italy (4%).

The top five sectors made up 53% of total FDI capital and 68% of announced projects. Hotels and tourism (14%) and real estate (14%) attracted the most investment, while business services (19.2%) and food and beverages (16.5%) led in project numbers.

Global FDI is expected to see moderate growth in 2025, driven by economic stability and technological progress. Dubai's outlook remains strong, with continued investment in high-tech and innovation-focused sectors. Its business-friendly policies and incentives will keep attracting private equity and sovereign investors.