Dubai has retained its position as the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries, according to new data published by fDi Markets, a service from the Financial Times. This marks the third year in a row that the Emirate has led the global rankings, outperforming major cities such as London and Singapore.
The report for 2024 analysed FDI trends in 233 cities classified under the Creative Industries Cluster. Dubai topped the list with 971 creative economy projects, an 8% increase on the previous year. These investments generated AED 18.86 billion (approximately USD 5.1 billion) in capital inflows—nearly 60% higher than in 2023—and created 23,517 new jobs, up 9% year-on-year.
The growth was broad-based, spanning across advertising, public relations, media production, gaming, creative education, and advanced software design. Greenfield investments, where a parent company builds its operations from the ground up in a new market, accounted for the lion’s share—76.5%—of all project types. New investment formats made up 15.4%, followed by reinvestments (5.6%) and mergers and acquisitions (2.4%).
The United States remained the largest source of capital, contributing 23.2% of the total, followed by India (13.4%), the United Kingdom (9.4%), Switzerland (7.6%) and Saudi Arabia (4.8%). India also led in terms of project volume and job creation, accounting for 18.8% of projects and 18.5% of related employment.
Analysts attribute Dubai’s sustained dominance in the sector to a combination of investor-friendly policies, high-quality infrastructure, and a growing reputation as a hub for digital and creative innovation.
Policy changes, such as Executive Council Resolution 11 of 2025, which allows businesses operating in free zones to also conduct activities onshore, have broadened the commercial flexibility for foreign investors. Dubai’s Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, which streamlines more than 2,000 federal procedures, has also been credited with improving the ease of doing business.
Strong intellectual property protections and advanced digital infrastructure further enhance Dubai’s appeal to investors, especially in sectors that rely heavily on content creation and digital innovation.
According to the “Creative Dubai: Navigating Tomorrow’s Creative Landscape” report, demand is rapidly expanding in areas such as immersive media, artificial intelligence (AI)-based content production, and next-generation design. These segments are seen as particularly attractive for future investment.
Dubai’s strategic location, competitive setup costs, and access to skilled global talent continue to position it as a preferred base for international firms seeking to expand into the Middle East and beyond.
The city’s performance in attracting creative industry FDI in 2024 underscores its evolution from a regional commercial centre into a key player on the world stage for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.
