The UAE has again secured its spot among the top 10 global economies for FDI in 2026. The nation continues to attract and win the confidence of international businesses and global investors by offering pro-business policies and future-ready tech sectors.

The Emirates has remained the 9th best country in the world for attracting foreign business investments this year. According to the Kearney FDI Confidence Index, global investors are very positive about the country’s economic future. This gives it a confidence score of 42%, higher than Japan, Canada, Germany, and Thailand.

UAE Continues to Shine in Global FDI Rankings

The UAE is the second-best country in the world for developing economies. It has secured this spot for three years in a row. China has secured the first spot, Saudi Arabia is third, while Brazil and Mexico are in fourth and fifth place.

The US leads the world in business investment, with Canada, Japan, China, and Germany right behind it. According to the top research firm Kearney, the UAE economy grew by 5.5% in 2025. The major factors that drive this growth are fewer rules for business owners, a new $10 billion fund to help support the future Investment Strategy 2031.

Why the UAE is Attracting So Much Global Money

FDI means international companies and investors putting their money into businesses and projects in another country. The UAE is attracting so much global money because of the following very simple reasons:

The country has a favorable location, as it sits between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its major cities act as a massive bridge for global trade.
The Emirati government greatly supports new technologies, like AI, smart cities, and innovation in the healthcare and finance sectors.
The report mentioned that the constant improvements in tech and infrastructure are other reasons besides the friendly business laws and regulations that are increasing investor confidence in the UAE.
Despite challenges in other parts of the world, it remains a secure place to grow a business, and 100% foreign ownership is available in many commercial areas.

UAE Set to Remain a Leading FDI Destination in the Future

This survey was done in January 2026, which surveyed 507 top leaders at very big companies (annual revenue more than $500 million) across the world. According to Kearney, the investors think geopolitical conflicts are the biggest threat to the world economy right now.

This risk worries investors even more than rising costs for raw materials and political instability in developed countries. As the Emirates keeps focusing on innovation and global connectivity, it will likely remain a top choice for investors for many years to come.

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