RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund earned a perfect score in the 2025 Global SWF Index, ranking it among just nine sovereign wealth funds worldwide for top governance, sustainability, and resilience.
The report from the sovereign investor benchmarking firm evaluates 200 of the world’s largest state-owned investment institutions across 25 indicators.
PIF’s flawless score this year marks a major milestone in its institutional development, following steady progress from 92 percent in 2023 to 96 percent in 2024. In contrast, the Saudi fund scored just 28 percent in 2020, according to Global SWF data.
In 2025, only nine sovereign investors globally achieved a full 100 percent score. Of those, three were based in the Europe–Middle East–Africa region: PIF, Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency, and Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority.
The Saudi fund led the group within EMEA and was the only Middle Eastern institution to reach a perfect score.
The 2024 report described PIF as “continuing to lead the charge,” highlighting that the fund voluntarily publishes an allocation and impact report as well as a self-assessment aligned with the Santiago Principles — despite not being a member of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds.
PIF’s sustainability strategy operates within the Kingdom’s broader drive for spending efficiency, a theme highlighted in a March analysis by PwC and Consultancy ME.
The report noted that public funds, anchored by institutions like PIF, are now being redirected toward high-impact sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and logistics, as well as artificial intelligence, combining fiscal prudence with strategic vision.
Moreover, a Strategy& whitepaper outlined how the nation is investing heavily in its energy transition — targeting approximately $235 billion toward renewables by 2030 and embedding efficiency mandates for state utilities — to support its net-zero ambitions and long-term economic resilience.
This alignment of sustainable investment and cost discipline reinforces PIF’s role in delivering value-driven transformation in line with Vision 2030.
The fund’s elevation to the top tier was driven by enhanced climate-risk disclosures, the launch of a dedicated sustainability report, strengthened board oversight, and the implementation of comprehensive business continuity frameworks.
These changes helped it secure full marks in all 25 areas of the GSR Scoreboard — 10 for governance, 10 for sustainability, and 5 for resilience.
With over $925 billion in assets under management, PIF is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, investing across strategic sectors, including tourism and logistics, as well as AI and renewable energy. Its strong transparency credentials and environmental, social and governance alignment have helped it build trust with global partners and signal its readiness for large-scale cross-border investment.
According to the 2024 PIF Effect report, the fund’s strategic projects, ranging from green bond issuances to renewable energy infrastructure, have generated a significant impact throughout Saudi Arabia and the world, enhancing local job creation, technology transfer, and environmental outcomes.
A February analysis by Consultancy ME underscored how the Kingdom’s broader focus on “spending efficiency is driving growth and building resilience,” with PIF playing a central role by prioritizing cost-effective, high-impact initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.
The full 2025 GSR report will be released on July 1.
