Central Bank: UNCTAD data on foreign investment in Kuwait are preliminary estimates
The Central Bank of Kuwait confirmed that the data included in the 2026 World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) regarding foreign direct investment (FDI) in the State of Kuwait for 2025 represents preliminary estimates and does not reflect the state’s final official data. It emphasized that statistics issued by the bank, which are based on balance of payments data, provide a more accurate picture of actual FDI flows.
In a statement, the bank clarified that official data published on its website indicate that the value of Kuwait’s outward direct investments (outflows) reached approximately 915 million dinars during 2025, equivalent to about 3 billion US dollars. It noted that these outflows reflect the expansion of private sector institutions, particularly banks, in their external investments as part of asset management strategies, enhancing their international presence, and diversifying their portfolios.
It added that inward FDI flows to the State of Kuwait recorded approximately 126.4 million dinars during 2025, equivalent to about 412.4 million US dollars.
The bank pointed to the continued growth of Kuwait’s FDI stock in recent years, reaching approximately 5.4 billion dinars by the end of 2025, equivalent to about 17.6 billion US dollars. This reflects the accumulation of existing foreign direct investments in the Kuwaiti economy and the country’s sustained attractiveness as an investment destination.
It explained that the concept of foreign direct investment includes investments that grant the foreign investor an influential stake of at least 10% in an enterprise within or outside the country. It excludes investments in securities where ownership is below this threshold, as well as financial derivatives, deposits, loans, and other financial instruments.
It noted that when the scope of the data is expanded to include all financial instruments, total inward flows rise to approximately 11.8 billion dinars, equivalent to about 38.5 billion US dollars.
The Central Bank of Kuwait concluded its statement by inviting interested parties to review the latest balance of payments statistics and international investment position data via its website to obtain official data on the developments of foreign direct investment in the State of Kuwait.
