Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Ireland
Ireland: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was -38,891 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Ireland, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Ireland stood at -38,891.
The figure is down 1,352.7% on the previous year and down 174.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Ireland peaked at 215,478 in 2015 and was at its lowest, -55,847, in 2022.
That places Ireland 219th out of 222 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 621.91 | — |
| 1991 | 1,362 | +118.9% |
| 1992 | 1,458 | +7.1% |
| 1993 | 1,078 | -26.1% |
| 1994 | 856.98 | -20.5% |
| 1995 | 1,443 | +68.4% |
| 1996 | 2,617 | +81.4% |
| 1997 | 2,029 | -22.5% |
| 1998 | 8,862 | +336.8% |
| 1999 | 18,211 | +105.5% |
| 2000 | 25,779 | +41.6% |
| 2001 | 9,651 | -62.6% |
| 2002 | 29,324 | +203.8% |
| 2003 | 22,781 | -22.3% |
| 2004 | -10,608 | -146.6% |
| 2005 | -31,689 | +198.7% |
| 2006 | -5,542 | -82.5% |
| 2007 | 24,707 | -545.8% |
| 2008 | -16,453 | -166.6% |
| 2009 | 25,715 | -256.3% |
| 2010 | 42,804 | +66.5% |
| 2011 | 23,545 | -45.0% |
| 2012 | 48,884 | +107.6% |
| 2013 | 47,360 | -3.1% |
| 2014 | 52,513 | +10.9% |
| 2015 | 215,478 | +310.3% |
| 2016 | 23,324 | -89.2% |
| 2017 | 69,458 | +197.8% |
| 2018 | -5,691 | -108.2% |
| 2019 | 163,805 | -2978.3% |
| 2020 | 109,561 | -33.1% |
| 2021 | -11,598 | -110.6% |
| 2022 | -55,847 | +381.5% |
| 2023 | -2,677 | -95.2% |
| 2024 | -38,891 | +1352.7% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's -38,891 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3,309. (68 countries reporting)
- Ireland's -38,891 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2,342. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +2978.3% | -5,691 | 163,805 |
| 2024 | -1352.7% | -2,677 | -38,891 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3,854 | 621.91 | 18,211 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7,367 | -31,689 | 29,324 | 10 |
| 2010s | 68,148 | -5,691 | 215,478 | 10 |
| 2020s | 109.48 | -55,847 | 109,561 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 216 Kazakhstan -2,550 compare
- 217 Iraq -7,458 compare
- 218 Belgium -26,723 compare
- 220 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland -40,003 compare
- 220 United Kingdom -40,003 compare
- 222 Switzerland -60,708 compare
More economy & growth data for Ireland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.96 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 67.14 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.1102 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 12,444 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.82 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 103.44 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0079 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 893.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 7.57 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Ireland?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Ireland was -38,891 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 215,478 in 2015.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was -55,847 in 2022.
- How does Ireland rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Ireland ranks 219th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 174.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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