Dubai has ranked first globally for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment projects in the cultural and creative industries for the fourth consecutive year. The emirate attracted 754 projects in 2025, generating 19,304 new jobs and $3.756 billion in capital inflows, according to Financial Times FDI Markets data. Ranking ahead of London, Singapore, Riyadh and Bengaluru highlights Dubai’s continued ability to attract international capital, businesses and talent across a growing range of industries.
Original article: Dubai beats London and Singapore to rank world No.1 for creative industry FDI projects as investment hits $3.8bn by Arabian Business.
Key Insights:
Dubai Continues to Attract International Businesses and Talent
The 754 projects recorded during 2025 spanned industries including technology, media, gaming, artificial intelligence, professional services, design and architecture. Together, they generated 19,304 new jobs, demonstrating how foreign investment is translating into new business activity and employment. This continued expansion adds further depth to Dubai’s economy while supporting the growth of its professional population and the wider demand that accompanies it.
Investment Is Coming From a Diverse Global Base
Dubai’s creative economy is attracting capital from several major international markets. India accounted for 19% of greenfield capital inflows, followed by the US at 17.5%, China at 13%, Malaysia at 12% and the UK at 9%. By number of projects, the UK led with 21.5%, followed closely by India at 21%. This diversity demonstrates Dubai’s ability to attract investment from multiple global markets rather than relying heavily on any single source of international capital.
Technology Is Expanding Dubai’s Creative Economy
Growth is increasingly coming from areas such as digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence, data services, gaming and specialised programming. This evolution reflects the broader diversification of Dubai’s economy as new industries develop alongside established sectors. Supported by international connectivity, specialised business clusters and digital infrastructure, the expansion creates further opportunities for companies and skilled professionals looking to establish themselves in the emirate.
What Dubai’s FDI Leadership Signals for Investors
Ranking first among 233 cities for new creative-industry FDI projects for the fourth consecutive year demonstrates Dubai’s continued competitiveness as a destination for international businesses and capital. Importantly, investment is being spread across a diverse range of industries, from traditional creative sectors to technology, AI and professional services.
This diversification has wider significance for the city’s growth. As new businesses establish operations and create employment, they contribute to population growth, commercial activity and demand for the infrastructure and property required to support an expanding economy. For real estate investors, this provides another underlying source of demand across residential, commercial and mixed-use sectors.
Dubai’s continued success in attracting foreign investment also aligns with the wider ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. As the city builds greater economic depth and attracts businesses and talent from a broader range of global markets, its investment proposition becomes increasingly supported by diverse and long-term economic fundamentals.
