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The Saudi Central Bank reported that the stock of foreign direct investment reached SR1.123 trillion by the end of March 2026. This figure reflects a 12 percent rise from the end of the first quarter of 2025, when the stock stood at approximately SR1.003 trillion. The FDI total accounted for 32 percent of overall foreign investment in the kingdom, SAMA figures show. Total foreign investment climbed 18 percent to SR3.531 trillion over the same period.
SAMA data places the broader foreign investment portfolio within equity, fund shares and debt instruments at SR1.467 trillion while other investment categories reached SR941 billion. The central bank compiles these statistics as part of its regular international investment position updates. Such stock measures capture accumulated holdings rather than quarterly movements alone.
Separately the General Authority for Statistics reported gross FDI inflows of SR26.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026. That inflow total rose 2.4 percent from the year-earlier period while net inflows after outflows came to SR23.1 billion, GASTAT figures indicate. Outward investment flows increased markedly during the quarter, contributing to the gap between gross and net readings.
The Ministry of Investment assessment found real GDP expanded 3 percent year on year in the first quarter with both oil and non-oil activities recording similar gains. These economic indicators accompany the FDI stock growth and point to steady expansion outside the energy sector. The ministry publishes regular economic and investment indicator reports that track such trends.
Saudi Arabia surpassed SR1 trillion in cumulative FDI at the end of 2025 with a 13 percent annual increase that year, according to earlier SAMA releases. The kingdom has targeted annual inflows of around $100 billion under Vision 2030 to support economic diversification, World Bank and government planning documents show. Quarterly inflows in the first three months of 2026 annualise to a lower run rate, highlighting the gap yet to close.
A 2024 Investment Law aimed at levelling the playing field for foreign participants has formed part of regulatory adjustments in recent years, fDi Intelligence noted in its coverage of Saudi reforms. The Ministry of Investment continues to promote sector-specific opportunities in logistics, tourism and advanced manufacturing. These steps build on earlier liberalisation measures that have contributed to the observed stock expansion since the mid-2010s.
