Dubai has once again solidified its reputation as the world’s premier investment destination, securing the top position for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment projects for the fourth consecutive year.
According to the latest fDi Markets data from the Financial Times, the emirate has outperformed major global cities, reaffirming its status as a global business and investment hub.
Record-Breaking Growth in FDI
Dubai’s exceptional performance in 2024 witnessed a substantial increase in both project volume and capital inflow. The emirate attracted an estimated AED 52.3 billion ($14.24 billion) in FDI capital, marking a 33.2% rise from the AED 39.26 billion ($10.69 billion) recorded in 2023. This represents the highest FDI capital inflow in a single year since 2020.
Additionally, the city recorded a historic 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects in 2024, the highest in its history, reflecting sustained investor confidence in Dubai’s economic environment.
Unprecedented Job Creation and Economic Competitiveness
The surge in FDI has significantly contributed to job creation in Dubai. In 2024, the emirate generated an estimated 58,680 jobs through FDI, a 31% increase from the 44,745 jobs created in 2023. Dubai also advanced from fourth to third place globally in terms of jobs created through inward FDI, further strengthening its position as the top destination for employment generation in the Middle East and Africa.
This surge in job creation underscores Dubai’s robust business ecosystem and its ability to attract top-tier talent across key industries such as business services, IT, real estate, transportation, financial services, and industrial equipment.
Dominance Across Key Investment Sectors
Dubai’s investment landscape remains highly diversified, with strong FDI inflows across multiple industries. The city maintained its position as the global leader in attracting Headquarter FDI projects for the third consecutive year, with 50 projects recorded in 2024.
Additionally, Dubai led in attracting Greenfield FDI projects, capital, and jobs in the MEA region, reinforcing its role as the economic powerhouse of the region.
Dubai’s share of global FDI projects in Advanced Information Technologies grew from 7.3% in 2023 to 8% in 2024, highlighting its leadership in innovation-driven sectors. The top five sectors attracting FDI capital included:
- Hotels and tourism (14%)
- Real estate (14%)
- Software and IT services (9.2%)
- Building materials (9%)
- Financial services (6.8%)
Similarly, the top five sectors for FDI projects were:
- Business services (19.2%)
- Food and beverages (16.5%)
- Software and IT services (14.3%)
- Textiles (9.6%)
- Consumer products (8.3%)
Dubai’s Global and Regional Investment Appeal
Dubai’s pro-business policies, world-class infrastructure, and investor-friendly regulatory framework continue to attract multinational corporations and institutional investors. In 2024, Dubai ranked fourth globally for attracting Greenfield FDI capital, improving from its fifth position in 2023, while maintaining its leadership in the MEA region.
The Dubai FDI Monitor revealed that the top five source countries for FDI capital into Dubai in 2024 accounted for 63% of total estimated flows. India led the way with 21.5%, followed by the United States (13.7%), France (11%), the United Kingdom (10%), and Switzerland (6.9%). Similarly, the top five source countries for announced FDI projects were the United Kingdom (17%), India (15%), the United States (14%), France (4.5%), and Italy (4%).
The Road Ahead
The 2025 global FDI outlook remains optimistic, with Dubai expected to maintain its upward trajectory as a leading destination for foreign capital. Strategic initiatives under the D33 Agenda will further enhance its position as a global investment hub, driving sustained economic growth and resilience.
One Investments leads this transformation by offering investors secure, high-potential opportunities. With Dubai’s economy on a strong growth trajectory, the current market conditions provide a strategic opportunity to capitalize on the expansion of the real estate sector and secure long-term value.
