UAE Remains Among World’s Top 10 FDI Destinations in 2026

DUBAI, UAE - The UAE has retained its position among the world’s top foreign direct investment destinations in 2026, ranking ninth globally in Kearney’s latest Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index and reinforcing its position as one of the leading international hubs for attracting overseas capital.

The report places the UAE among the top 10 economies globally for investor confidence, reflecting continued momentum across the country’s economic diversification, infrastructure expansion, regulatory reforms, and investment ecosystem development.

According to the 2026 index, the UAE also recorded the highest level of economic optimism among all surveyed global markets, achieving a net optimism score of 42%, ahead of Japan at 41%, while Canada, Germany, and Thailand each recorded 39%.

The UAE additionally ranked second globally among emerging markets for the third consecutive year, positioned behind China and ahead of Saudi Arabia, while Brazil and Mexico secured fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Globally, the United States maintained its lead in the overall rankings, followed by Canada, Japan, China, and Germany.

Kearney attributed the UAE’s continued strength to several major economic and policy drivers, including economic growth of 5.5% during 2025, sustained regulatory reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, and the launch of a $10 billion national investment fund supporting the country’s wider Investment Strategy 2031.

The report also highlighted the UAE’s continued investments in infrastructure, technology, and digital transformation, alongside what it described as a stable and flexible legislative environment supporting long-term investor confidence.

The findings further reinforce the UAE’s growing role as a regional and global destination for international capital flows across sectors including real estate, financial services, logistics, technology, renewable energy, tourism, and advanced manufacturing.

The survey underpinning the report was conducted in January 2026 and included 507 senior executives from global companies generating annual revenues exceeding $500 million.

Kearney noted that geopolitical tensions remain the primary concern among global investors heading into the coming year, ranking ahead of commodity price volatility and political instability within developed economies.

Despite broader global uncertainties, the UAE continues to benefit from its positioning as a politically stable, globally connected, and investment-friendly economy, supported by major long-term development initiatives and expanding international trade and business relationships.

The latest rankings also align with broader efforts under the UAE’s economic diversification strategy, which aims to strengthen non-oil sectors, attract global talent and investment, and position the country as a long-term hub for innovation, finance, trade, and advanced industries.