Dubai Tops Global Greenfield FDI Rankings Again in H1 2025

UAE, Dubai – September 22, 2025 - Dubai has reaffirmed its position as a global hub for foreign direct investment (FDI) by securing the No. 1 global ranking for Greenfield FDI projects for the eighth consecutive half-year period since the second half of 2021, according to data from the Financial Times Ltd’s ‘fDi Markets’ tracking database.

The city attracted 643 Greenfield FDI projects in H1 2025, a record-breaking figure that is 478 more projects than the second-placed city and the highest number ever recorded globally in a single half-year since data tracking began in 2003. This performance underscores Dubai’s global leadership in attracting new business ventures and reflects the emirate’s robust, forward-looking economic strategy.

Sheikh Hamdan Highlights Dubai’s Vision

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, praised the achievement as a testament to the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The strength and resilience of Dubai’s economy continues to inspire confidence among global investors in its ability to reimagine the future and unlock emerging global technological trends and sustainable sectors,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

He emphasized that Dubai remains committed to providing businesses with a world-class environment for sustained growth, actively encouraging partnerships and innovations that enhance quality of life for people in the UAE and worldwide.

This milestone directly aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033, positioning it among the top three global urban economies. Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed Dubai’s mission to be a city of the future and a leading hub for innovation, talent, and global business.

Global Leadership in Key Sectors

Dubai’s strategic location, progressive regulations, cutting-edge infrastructure, and digital-first services continue to make it a preferred destination for investors.

The city advanced to second place globally for total Greenfield FDI capital in H1 2025, up from fourth place a year earlier, and rose to third place globally for jobs created through inward FDI. Across both metrics, Dubai retained its top position in the Middle East.

Dubai also achieved a global No. 1 ranking for headquarters FDI projects, with project numbers increasing by 60% from 20 in H1 2024 to 32 in H1 2025. This highlights the emirate’s growing role as a preferred base for multinational companies seeking a regional and global presence.

The city ranked first worldwide across several clusters, including:

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and electronics
• Creative industries
• Professional services
• Life sciences
• Financial services
• Transportation and warehousing
• Environmental technology

Dubai also led in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Financial Technology (FinTech), positioning itself as a magnet for future-driven industries.

Record-Breaking FDI Capital Growth

According to the Dubai FDI Monitor published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai attracted $11 billion (AED 40.4 billion) in estimated FDI capital in H1 2025, marking a 62% increase compared to $6.8 billion (AED 24.7 billion) during the same period in 2024.

The total number of announced FDI projects grew 28.7%, from 847 in H1 2024 to 1,090 in H1 2025. Jobs created through inward FDI also surged by 46.7%, rising from 26,202 to 38,433 jobs.

This diversification highlights Dubai’s dynamic and evolving investment ecosystem. Greenfield projects accounted for 52.4% of total inflows, complemented by:

• New forms of investment – 36.1%
• Reinvestments – 4%
• Venture capital-backed projects – 4.3%
• Mergers and acquisitions – 3.2%

Top Source Countries and Global Reach

The top five countries accounted for 68.7% of total estimated FDI capital flows into Dubai in H1 2025:

• United States – 35%
• United Kingdom – 10.6%
• France – 8.9%
• India – 8.9%
• Saudi Arabia – 5.2%

For announced FDI projects, the UK led with 16.2%, followed by the US and India (both at 14.9%), France (5.4%), and Italy (4.6%).

These results reflect Dubai’s ability to attract a diverse range of global investors, reinforcing its role as a key player in international business and trade.

Sector Performance

The top five sectors accounted for 72% of total FDI capital flows into Dubai in H1 2025. By capital:

• Business services – 30.6%
• Hotels and tourism – 21.3%
• Transportation and warehousing – 7.2%
• Consumer products – 6.6%
• Real estate – 6.3%

By project count:

• Business services – 19%
• Consumer products – 16.5%
• Food and beverages – 15%
• Software and IT services – 11%
• Financial services – 6.6%

This diversity demonstrates Dubai’s capability to support a wide array of operational needs, from global headquarters and logistics hubs to manufacturing and consumer-facing businesses.

Leadership Commentary

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DET, highlighted the city’s consistency in leading global FDI attraction. “This performance showcases the city’s resilience, agility, and capacity to keep pace with global economic transformations, strengthened by enduring public-private partnerships,” Almarri said. He added that international trust in Dubai continues to grow, with the city’s ecosystem rapidly transforming investments into innovation and opportunity.

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasized Dubai’s ability to anticipate future trends: “The diversity and quality of investments, especially in AI, FinTech, and creative industries, show Dubai’s alignment with the sectors shaping the global economy. Our success in attracting headquarters projects reinforces Dubai’s role as a global hub for decision-making and growth.”

Driving Future Growth

Dubai’s H1 2025 performance underscores its role as a reliable, forward-thinking hub for global investors. With its robust infrastructure, strategic initiatives, and commitment to innovation, the city is well-positioned to sustain momentum throughout the rest of 2025 and beyond, solidifying its status as a world leader in foreign direct investment and economic development.