JEDDAH: Qatar’s inward foreign direct investment rose 2 percent to 165.4 billion Qatari riyals ($45.5 billion) in 2025, while outward investment climbed 8.1 percent to 210 billion riyals.
Preliminary data released by the National Planning Council in collaboration with the Qatar Central Bank showed the faster growth in outward FDI reflected the expanding international reach of Qatari capital, even as the country continued attracting investment into key domestic sectors, the Qatar News Agency reported.
This comes as Qatar continues to maintain a strong external financial position, supported by energy export revenues, sovereign wealth buffers, and its status as a net external creditor. Fitch Ratings affirmed Qatar at “AA” with a stable outlook in March, citing the country’s robust sovereign balance sheet.
“The survey results indicate that the net FDI stock in 2025 reached 44.6 billion riyals, an increase of 12.4 billion riyals over 2024, representing a growth rate of 39 percent. This is driven by outward FDI stocks exceeding inward FDI stocks,” QNA reported.
The survey, which presents preliminary estimates for the period from January to December 2025, covers approximately 200 private-sector enterprises, selected government-owned companies, and financial institutions supervised by the central bank. It excludes public-sector investments and international financial activities conducted by individuals.
The results are consolidated with data from QCB, encompassing monetary financial institutions, including banks, insurers, and other regulated entities.
More than 90 percent of inward FDI positions were concentrated in five main economic activities.
Mining and quarrying led with 44.9 percent, followed by financial and insurance activities at 28.4 percent, as well as manufacturing at 13.9 percent. Professional, scientific and technical activities accounted for 4.1 percent, while information and communication made up 3 percent.
The country’s outward FDI positions, representing the stock of investments held by Qatari companies abroad, rose 8.1 percent year on year to 210 billion riyals at the end of 2025, reflecting the growing international footprint of Qatari capital.
More than 90 percent of outward FDI was concentrated in five sectors. Financial and insurance activities led with 34 percent, followed by mining and quarrying at 27.8 percent, as well as information and communication at 11.5 percent. Accommodation and food services accounted for 9.6 percent, while arts, entertainment and recreation made up 6.9 percent.
More than 60 percent of Qatar’s outward investments are concentrated in Arab countries at 32 percent and Europe at 31.2 percent, highlighting the geographical focus of its global investment footprint.
