Saudi Arabia’s FDI reaches SAR 22.2B in Q1 2025

Riyadh City

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Saudi Arabia reached SAR 22.2 billion in Q1 2025, a 44% rise compared to a year earlier, according to data by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Compared to Q4 2024, net FDI inflows retreated by 7%.

The value of FDI inflows into the Saudi economy reached approximately SAR 24.04 billion in Q1 2025, up 24% year-on-year (YoY).

FDI outflows amounted to around SAR 1.75 billion, a 54% YoY plummet.

GASTAT defines FDI as an investment that reflects a long-term relationship and sustained interest from economic entities based in an economy outside of Saudi Arabia. This means that a foreign investor, whether individual or as part of a group, holds 10% or more of the voting power of the shares, enabling shareholders to exercise control or influence over decision-making to serve their interests. As such, this process is classified as FDI.

The FDI survey covers all major economic activities, as per the national classification of economic activities (ISIC4).