Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was -40,003 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in United Kingdom, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in United Kingdom stood at -40,003.
That represents a change of down 176.7% on the previous year and down 262.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in United Kingdom peaked at 258,699 in 2016 and was at its lowest, -72,078, in 2021.
United Kingdom ranks 220th of 222 countries on this measure, 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 30,461 | — |
| 1991 | 14,846 | -51.3% |
| 1992 | 17,237 | +16.1% |
| 1993 | 16,957 | -1.6% |
| 1994 | 10,235 | -39.6% |
| 1995 | 23,590 | +130.5% |
| 1996 | 28,448 | +20.6% |
| 1997 | 33,128 | +16.5% |
| 1998 | 65,062 | +96.4% |
| 1999 | 90,034 | +38.4% |
| 2000 | 115,304 | +28.1% |
| 2001 | 35,949 | -68.8% |
| 2002 | 19,683 | -45.2% |
| 2003 | 16,590 | -15.7% |
| 2004 | 61,220 | +269.0% |
| 2005 | 182,928 | +198.8% |
| 2006 | 147,372 | -19.4% |
| 2007 | 176,839 | +20.0% |
| 2008 | 92,158 | -47.9% |
| 2009 | 89,709 | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 58,200 | -35.1% |
| 2011 | 42,200 | -27.5% |
| 2012 | 55,446 | +31.4% |
| 2013 | 51,676 | -6.8% |
| 2014 | 24,690 | -52.2% |
| 2015 | 39,186 | +58.7% |
| 2016 | 258,699 | +560.2% |
| 2017 | 96,354 | -62.8% |
| 2018 | 87,838 | -8.8% |
| 2019 | 53,918 | -38.6% |
| 2020 | 44,397 | -17.7% |
| 2021 | -72,078 | -262.3% |
| 2022 | 14,912 | -120.7% |
| 2023 | 52,188 | +250.0% |
| 2024 | -40,003 | -176.7% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's -40,003 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3,309. (68 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's -40,003 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 United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +560.2% | 39,186 | 258,699 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 33,000 | 10,235 | 90,034 | 10 |
| 2000s | 93,775 | 16,590 | 182,928 | 10 |
| 2010s | 76,821 | 24,690 | 258,699 | 10 |
| 2020s | -116.76 | -72,078 | 52,188 | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 217 Iraq -7,458 compare
- 218 Belgium -26,723 compare
- 219 Ireland -38,891 compare
- 220 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland -40,003 compare
- 222 Switzerland -60,708 compare
More economy & growth data for United Kingdom
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.14 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.42 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 86.93 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0217 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,251 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 76.63 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 691.49 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0191 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,103 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 22.77 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in United Kingdom?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in United Kingdom was -40,003 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 258,699 in 2016.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was -72,078 in 2021.
- How does United Kingdom rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- United Kingdom ranks 220th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 262.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.
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