FDI in Kuwait continued to grow to 5.4 billion dinars at the end of 2025
- Kuwait’s Foreign Direct Investment stock climbs to 5.4 billion dinars
- Figures published in the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026 are preliminary estimates
- Balance of payments statistics provide a more accurate assessment of the country’s foreign direct investment performance — CBK
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has clarified that the foreign direct investment (FDI) figures published in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2026 are preliminary estimates and do not represent Kuwait’s final official data for 2025.
In a statement issued in response to information circulated on social media and other platforms, the CBK said that its balance of payments statistics provides a more accurate assessment of the country’s foreign direct investment performance.
According to the Central Bank, Kuwait’s outward foreign direct investment reached 915 million dinars (approximately $3 billion) in 2025.
The increase was primarily driven by the overseas expansion of private sector institutions, particularly banks, as part of their strategies to diversify investments, strengthen their international presence, and manage assets more effectively.
The CBK also reported that foreign direct investment inflows into Kuwait totaled 126.4 million dinars (around $412.4 million) during 2025.
The Central Bank noted that the stock of foreign direct investment in Kuwait continued to grow, reaching 5.4 billion dinars (approximately $17.6 billion) by the end of 2025. This reflects the cumulative value of foreign investments in the Kuwaiti economy and underscores the country’s continued appeal as an investment destination.
The statement explained that FDI statistics cover investments in which a foreign investor holds a 10 percent or greater ownership stake in a business, whether inside or outside the country.
The figures exclude portfolio investments, including shareholdings below 10 percent, bonds, financial derivatives, deposits, loans and other financial instruments.
The CBK added that if all cross-border financial instruments are taken into account, total financial inflows into Kuwait during 2025 rise to 11.8 billion dinars (approximately $38.5 billion), providing a broader picture of the country’s international financial transactions.
The clarification comes amid heightened attention to Kuwait’s investment performance following the release of UNCTAD’s latest global investment report, with the Central Bank emphasizing that its official statistics remain the authoritative source for assessing the country’s foreign investment position.
