Dubai beats London and Singapore to rank world No.1 for creative industry FDI projects as investment hits $3.8bn

Dubai ranked first globally for creative industry greenfield FDI projects in 2025, attracting 754 projects, 19,304 jobs and $3.756bn in capital inflows.

Dubai has ranked first globally for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries for the fourth consecutive year, attracting 754 projects during 2025 and outperforming London, Singapore, Riyadh and Bengaluru.

The projects generated 19,304 new jobs, while greenfield FDI capital inflows into the sector reached $3.756bn, according to Financial Times Ltd.’s fDi Markets data.

Dubai retained the top position among 233 cities tracked for greenfield FDI projects in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs).

The emirate attracted 754 new projects during 2025, compared with 227 in London, 197 in Singapore, 157 in Riyadh and 132 in Bengaluru.

The emirate also maintained its position as the world’s second-ranked city for FDI capital inflows within the sector.

Dubai FDI investments

Greenfield FDI capital inflows into Dubai’s cultural and creative industries reached $3.756bn during the year.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said: “Guided by the vision of its leadership, Dubai has built an environment that gives creativity room to grow, enables talent to turn ambition into enterprise, and connects promising ideas with investment and opportunity. These results reflect the continued evolution of Dubai’s cultural and creative ecosystem and its growing contribution to the emirate’s broader economic and development ambitions.

“Over the years, Dubai has worked to create an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive together, enabling talent, ideas, and investment to intersect in meaningful and sustainable ways.”

Growth came from a broad range of industries spanning technology, media, professional services and traditional cultural activities.

These included:

• Advertising and public relations
• Specialised computer programming services
• Data processing and digital services
• Film, media and gaming industries
• AI-powered creative technologies
• Creative education
• Professional services
• Design and architecture
• Crafts and cultural industries
• Performing arts and entertainment
• Museums and historical sites
• Logistics services supporting the CCIs

Creative industries

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed said: “What is particularly encouraging is the diversity and maturity of the sectors driving this growth today; we are witnessing a clear shift towards industries connected to digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging creative services, reflecting how culture and creativity continue to evolve alongside technological and economic transformation.”

The index reflects a wider shift in Dubai’s creative economy away from traditional cultural sectors towards industries centred on digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven services.

India was the largest source country for greenfield capital inflows into Dubai’s cultural and creative industries in 2025, accounting for 19 per cent.

The United States followed at 17.5 per cent, with China contributing 13 per cent, Malaysia 12 per cent and the United Kingdom 9 per cent.

Measured by the number of projects, however, the United Kingdom ranked first with 21.5 per cent.

Creative investment under D33

India accounted for 21 per cent of projects, followed by the United States at 14 per cent and France at 4 per cent.

Dubai’s 2025 performance was supported by an investor-focused environment combining full foreign ownership, efficient business setup, specialised creative and technology clusters, long-term residency pathways for talent, advanced digital and logistics infrastructure, and access to regional and international markets.

The Economic Agenda D33 and Creative Economy Strategy have also supported investment across core cultural activities and the broader creative value chain, including digital services, programming, advertising, business support, distribution and creative commerce.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “Dubai’s continued leadership in attracting new foreign direct investment projects within the cultural and creative industries, for the fourth consecutive year, reflects the vision of our leadership and the enduring confidence that Dubai inspires among global investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.

“This achievement is underpinned by a dynamic ecosystem in which creativity, advanced technology and enterprise converge to create sustainable economic value, high-quality employment opportunities and new avenues for growth. Supported by world-class connectivity and a future-ready business environment, Dubai continues to provide an exceptional platform for creative industries to scale, innovate and succeed.”

Dubai creative sector becomes key economic contributor

Almarri said collaboration between the public and private sectors was also creating opportunities across digital content, gaming, artificial intelligence, design and specialised creative services.

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said: “These indicators highlight the maturity of the emirate’s creative ecosystem and its capacity to generate opportunities that meet the ambitions of investors and the wider creative community, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy.”

She added: “Dubai has successfully developed its creative sector into a vital economic contributor, characterised by strong growth potential and supported by an enabling environment that nurtures ideas and provides talent and entrepreneurs with access to facilities and opportunities that empower them to grow and scale their businesses.”

Badri said the performance indicators also demonstrate the value of anticipating trends in the cultural sector and continuing to develop policies, strategies and specialised initiatives.

Dubai Culture remains focused on fostering environments that encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange while helping turn creative projects into sustainable economic value.

The latest rankings reinforce the emirate’s position as a global platform for cultural and creative businesses, supported by international connectivity, infrastructure and access to regional and international markets.