Saudi FDI Inflows Rise 2.4% to SR26.6bn in Q1 2026

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Saudi Arabia reached SR26.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.4% from SR26.0 billion in the same period a year earlier,

While total inflows edged higher on an annual basis, net FDI inflows dipped 2.4% to around SR23.1 billion, compared with roughly SR23.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025. The change reflects a sharp rise in outflows, which climbed about 50% year-on-year to around SR3.5 billion, up from roughly SR2.3 billion a year earlier.

On a quarterly basis, the figures show a steep pullback from a strong end to the previous year. Total inflows fell about 49.9% from around SR53.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, while net inflows dropped about 51.9% from around SR48 billion. Quarter-to-quarter swings of this size are common when large individual deals are booked in a single period.

Why it matters

Attracting foreign capital is a central goal of رؤية السعودية 2030, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil and expand the private sector. Rising annual inflows point to continued investor interest, while the widening outflows and softer net figure show the flows can move unevenly from quarter to quarter.

For residents and expats working in the Kingdom, steady foreign investment supports job creation, new projects, and growth across sectors from technology to tourism and services. The figures are part of the national FDI statistics covering inflows, outflows, and net positions for the quarter.

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