Central Bank: $5.4 billion in foreign direct investment in Kuwait
- Kuwait’s investment flow balance stands at 11.8 billion dinars when all financial instruments are included.
- Foreign direct investment inflows to Kuwait reached 126.4 million dinars in 2025.
- Kuwaiti overseas investments totaled 915 million dinars last year.
- Foreign investments reflect Kuwait’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
- External flows indicate the expansion of the private sector and the diversification of its investments.
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) for 2025 represent preliminary estimates and do not reflect Kuwait’s final official data. It clarified that actual data based on balance of payments statistics issued by the Central Bank provide a more accurate picture of the reality of FDI flows during 2025.
In its response to discussions circulating on some platforms and social media regarding the UNCTAD report, the Central Bank explained that actual data published on its website show that the value of Kuwait’s direct investments abroad (outflows) reached approximately 915 million dinars in 2025 (equivalent to approximately 3 billion US dollars). These outflows reflect the expansion of private sector institutions, particularly banks, in their overseas investments as part of asset management strategies, international presence, and investment diversification, within the framework of their external investment activities.
Regarding inward FDI flows, the Central Bank noted that they recorded approximately 126.4 million dinars in 2025 (equivalent to approximately 412.4 million US dollars).
Regarding balances, the Central Bank clarified that data indicate a continued rise in the FDI stock over recent years, reaching approximately 5.4 billion dinars by the end of 2025 (equivalent to approximately 17.6 billion US dollars), reflecting the accumulation of existing FDI in the Kuwaiti economy and its continued attractiveness as an investment destination.
The Central Bank explained that FDI flows include investments that grant the foreign investor a significant influence (10% or more) in an enterprise located within or outside the country. They do not include securities (shares and bonds representing less than 10%), financial derivatives, deposits, loans, and other financial instruments.
The Central Bank stated that if the scope were expanded to include all financial instruments, inflows would rise to approximately 11.8 billion dinars (equivalent to approximately 38.5 billion US dollars).
The Central Bank concluded its statement by noting that stakeholders can monitor developments in FDI in Kuwait through the latest balance of payments statistics and the International Investment Position data available on its website.
