The United Arab Emirates topped the list of the world’s most optimistic economies for foreign investors in 2026, while Saudi Arabia entered the global top ten for the first time in the Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, according to the latest edition of the index issued by the global management consulting firm Kearney.

The report reflects a rapid shift in global capital trends, indicating that investors are increasingly redrawing their investment maps toward markets characterized by relative stability, technological innovation, and resilience in the face of economic and geopolitical shocks.

The Gulf, a rising hub for investment attraction

According to the index results, the economies of the Gulf countries, led by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, stand out as among the main beneficiaries of this global shift, amid continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, fluctuations in commodity prices, and disruptions in international supply chains.

The report noted that the UAE has consolidated its position as a preferred destination for foreign investment, benefiting from a flexible business environment, advanced infrastructure, and policies that support capital flows, which made it rank first globally in investment optimism for 2026.

As for Saudi Arabia, it achieved a notable milestone by entering the global top ten for foreign direct investment confidence for the first time, reflecting the growing attractiveness of its economy in light of economic transformation programs and broad structural reforms.

Reorientation of global capital

Kearney indicated that global investors are increasingly focusing on markets that combine innovation, economic flexibility, and long-term sustainable growth potential, at a time when risks linked to geopolitical tensions and global economic volatility are rising.

In this context, the report sees the rise of the UAE and Saudi Arabia as reflecting the success of economic diversification strategies and the development of the business environment, which has strengthened international investor confidence and raised positive expectations for the region’s markets in the coming years.

A shift in economic centers of gravity

The report concludes that the global investment map is undergoing a gradual repositioning, with economies capable of quickly adapting to technological and economic transformations advancing, while markets suffering from structural weakness or political uncertainty are losing attractiveness.

Thus, the index results confirm that the Gulf region is transitioning from being merely emerging markets to becoming a key player in shaping global investment trends in the next phase.