Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Saudi Arabia: $21.3 billion in 2024, ranking 21st of 198 countries. In 2010 it was $4.9 billion.
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Saudi Arabia for each year from 2010 to 2024, 15 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in us$. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2024 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2024, Saudi Arabia's foreign investment rose from $4.9 billion to $21.3 billion, a change of 337.3% (about 11.1% a year on average).
- The highest value in this period was $28.4 billion in 2021; the lowest was $1.0 billion in 2017.
- Recently, the figure has fallen in each of the last two years (2023: $22.8 billion; 2024: $21.3 billion).
- That is 99% lower than the world figure of $1.6 trillion.
- Saudi Arabia has the 21st-highest value of 198 countries with recent data.
- In Western Asia, Saudi Arabia has the 2nd-highest value of 16 countries with recent data; the highest is United Arab Emirates ($45.6 billion), and the typical (median) value is $1.6 billion.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was $3.9 billion in 2010 to 2014, $8.4 billion in 2015 to 2019 and $20.2 billion in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 5 of the 14 year-to-year steps and down in 9. The biggest one-year rise came in 2021 (+$26.7 billion, or 1,648.7%). The biggest one-year fall came in 2017 (−$20.9 billion, or 95.4%). Across the period the values varied by about 95% around their average ($10.8 billion), a large amount of change.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Western Asia, where the typical value is $1.6 billion, Saudi Arabia is 13.2 times the regional median.
Related figures
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) by country, 2024: $297.1 billion (highest: United States). New investment by foreign companies and investors into businesses in the country, minus withdrawals.
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in United Arab Emirates, 2010–2024: $45.6 billion (Foreign investment, 2024 · 12th of 198). Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in United Arab Emirates: $45.6 billion in 2024, ranking 12th of 198 countries.
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Armenia, 2010–2024: $131.6 million (Foreign investment, 2024 · 149th of 198). Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Armenia: $131.6 million in 2024, ranking 149th of 198 countries.
About this statistic
New investment by foreign companies and investors into businesses in the country, minus withdrawals. A sign of how attractive investors find the economy. It can be lumpy, with one large deal moving the total.
Trade and investment flows show how open an economy is: exporters gain larger markets, importers gain cheaper inputs, and foreign investment brings capital and know-how. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Saudi Arabia?
$21.3 billion (Foreign investment, 2024 · 21st of 198). Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Saudi Arabia: $21.3 billion in 2024, ranking 21st of 198 countries. In 2010 it was $4.9 billion.
How has foreign investment in Saudi Arabia changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2024, Saudi Arabia's foreign investment rose from $4.9 billion to $21.3 billion, a change of 337.3% (about 11.1% a year on average). The highest value in this period was $28.4 billion in 2021; the lowest was $1.0 billion in 2017.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2024. New investment by foreign companies and investors into businesses in the country, minus withdrawals. A sign of how attractive investors find the economy. It can be lumpy, with one large deal moving the total.
Data
| Year | Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | $4.9 billion |
| 2011 | $4.7 billion |
| 2012 | $5.0 billion |
| 2013 | $3.4 billion |
| 2014 | $1.5 billion |
| 2015 | $4.0 billion |
| 2016 | $22.0 billion |
| 2017 | $1.0 billion |
| 2018 | $12.1 billion |
| 2019 | $3.1 billion |
| 2020 | $1.6 billion |
| 2021 | $28.4 billion |
| 2022 | $26.7 billion |
| 2023 | $22.8 billion |
| 2024 | $21.3 billion |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2024. Coverage: Saudi Arabia.
New investment by foreign companies and investors into businesses in the country, minus withdrawals. A sign of how attractive investors find the economy. It can be lumpy, with one large deal moving the total.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) by country, 2024
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in United Arab Emirates, 2010–2024
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Armenia, 2010–2024
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Azerbaijan, 2010–2024
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (US$) in Bahrain, 2010–2024
- GDP of Saudi Arabia, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Saudi Arabia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Saudi Arabia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Saudi Arabia, 2010–2024
All Saudi Arabia data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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