According to Kearney’s 2026 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, the UAE maintained its ranking as the ninth most desirable location for foreign direct investment in the world in 2026 and continued to rank among the top 10 global economies for luring foreign capital. The report indicated that the UAE achieved the highest degree of economic optimism across all global markets, boasting a net optimism score of 42 percent, surpassing Japan at 41 percent and Canada, Germany, and Thailand at 39 percent.

The UAE maintained its position as the second-ranked emerging market globally for the third consecutive year, following China and preceding Saudi Arabia, with Brazil and Mexico securing the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. The United States led the global rankings, with Canada, Japan, China, and Germany following in succession. Kearney attributed the UAE’s strong performance to economic growth of 5.5% in 2025, ongoing efforts to diminish regulatory barriers for investors, and the initiation of a $10 billion national investment fund that bolsters the country’s Investment Strategy 2031.

The report also highlighted ongoing infrastructure and technology development, in addition to a stable and flexible legislative environment, as crucial elements bolstering investor confidence. The survey was conducted in January 2026 and included 507 senior executives from global companies with annual revenues exceeding $500 million. Kearney indicated that investors perceive escalating geopolitical tensions as the foremost risk confronting the global economy in the upcoming year, surpassing concerns related to commodity price hikes and political instability in developed nations.