GITNUX REPORT 2024

Global Foreign Direct Investments Statistics: Key Trends and Analysis for 2020

Global FDI flow plunged by 42% in 2020; US tops recipients, tech sector leads investment.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

Global foreign direct investment flows decreased by 42% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Statistic 2

Global foreign direct investment flows are expected to rebound by up to 10% in 2021.

Statistic 3

Developing economies attracted the majority of global foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 4

The United States was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 5

China ranked second in the world for foreign direct investment inflows in 2020.

Statistic 6

India attracted $57 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 7

Latin America received $123 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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The United Kingdom attracted $68 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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France was the third largest recipient of foreign direct investment in Europe in 2020.

Statistic 10

The Asia-Pacific region received $512 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 11

Germany attracted $58 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in the United States totaled $472 billion in 2020.

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Japan attracted $20.4 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in Singapore increased by 39% in 2020.

Statistic 15

Brazil received $62 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Australia attracted $42 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Russia received $2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Vietnam attracted $28.5 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Spain attracted $33 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 20

Indonesia received $22.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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South Korea saw a 43% increase in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 22

The European Union accounted for the highest share of global foreign direct investment outflows in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in Africa decreased by 16% in 2020.

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Southeast Asia received a record high of foreign direct investment flows in 2020.

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The technology sector was the top recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in renewable energy projects increased by 1% in 2020.

Statistic 27

Foreign direct investment in the healthcare sector grew by 11% in 2020.

Statistic 28

The automotive industry attracted $74 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in the logistics sector increased by 6% in 2020.

Statistic 30

The finance and insurance sector saw a 5% decline in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Statistic 31

Foreign direct investment in real estate plunged by 31% in 2020.

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The information technology sector received $44 billion in global foreign direct investment in 2020.

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The manufacturing sector attracted $207 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in the energy sector declined by 20% in 2020.

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The retail sector saw a 7% increase in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Foreign direct investment in the agricultural sector grew by 8% in 2020.

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The healthcare sector accounted for 9% of global foreign direct investment flows in 2020.

Statistic 38

Foreign direct investment in green technology increased by 15% in 2020.

Statistic 39

Foreign direct investment in the pharmaceutical sector grew by 5% in 2020.

Statistic 40

The biotechnology industry attracted $15 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

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Summary

  • Global foreign direct investment flows decreased by 42% in 2020 compared to 2019.
  • Developing economies attracted the majority of global foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • The United States was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • China ranked second in the world for foreign direct investment inflows in 2020.
  • The European Union accounted for the highest share of global foreign direct investment outflows in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in Africa decreased by 16% in 2020.
  • Southeast Asia received a record high of foreign direct investment flows in 2020.
  • India attracted $57 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • The technology sector was the top recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Latin America received $123 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in renewable energy projects increased by 1% in 2020.
  • The United Kingdom attracted $68 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the healthcare sector grew by 11% in 2020.
  • France was the third largest recipient of foreign direct investment in Europe in 2020.
  • The automotive industry attracted $74 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

In the tumultuous economic tango of 2020, Foreign Direct Investments pirouetted, twisted, and turned in unforeseen ways across the globe. From the breathtaking 42% dip in global FDI flows to the surprising rise of developing economies as magnets for investment, the stage was set for a dazzling performance. As the United States claimed the spotlight as the top recipient, China and the European Union waltzed into significant positions, while India shimmied away with a cool $57 billion. With sectors like technology and renewable energy taking center stage, and regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America breaking records, the FDI show was nothing short of a whirlwind affair. Lets unpack the choreography of investment in this captivating dance of numbers and opportunities.

Global foreign direct investment flows

  • Global foreign direct investment flows decreased by 42% in 2020 compared to 2019.
  • Global foreign direct investment flows are expected to rebound by up to 10% in 2021.

Interpretation

Like a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of the global economy, foreign direct investment flows took a significant nosedive in 2020, plummeting by 42% compared to the previous year. However, hope shines on the horizon as experts predict a potential rebound of up to 10% in 2021, offering a glimmer of optimism for a brighter future in the world of investments. This financial rollercoaster proves that even when the ride gets bumpy, there's always a chance for a thrilling comeback.

Recipient countries

  • Developing economies attracted the majority of global foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • The United States was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • China ranked second in the world for foreign direct investment inflows in 2020.
  • India attracted $57 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Latin America received $123 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • The United Kingdom attracted $68 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • France was the third largest recipient of foreign direct investment in Europe in 2020.
  • The Asia-Pacific region received $512 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Germany attracted $58 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the United States totaled $472 billion in 2020.
  • Japan attracted $20.4 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in Singapore increased by 39% in 2020.
  • Brazil received $62 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Australia attracted $42 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Russia received $2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Vietnam attracted $28.5 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Spain attracted $33 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Indonesia received $22.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • South Korea saw a 43% increase in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Interpretation

In a world where money talks, 2020 was a year of diverse accents. Developing economies showcased their charm, attracting the lion's share of global foreign direct investment, while the United States held court as the largest recipient, flaunting its economic allure. China, the suave contender, gracefully took the silver medal, with India not far behind, proving that the East was calling the shots. Latin America danced its way to a decent sum, while the United Kingdom, France, and Germany held their ground in the European ballroom. The Asia-Pacific region emerged as the belle of the investment ball, waltzing away with a hefty sum, leaving Japan, Singapore, and Australia twirling in its wake. Amidst this financial fiesta, Spain, Indonesia, and Vietnam also found partners for their economic dance, with South Korea turning heads with its daring 43% increase in foreign direct investment. As we look back at this monetary masquerade, one thing is clear – the world's economic tango is ever-evolving, with each nation aiming to lead the next elegant step in the global investment waltz.

Regional investment trends

  • The European Union accounted for the highest share of global foreign direct investment outflows in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in Africa decreased by 16% in 2020.
  • Southeast Asia received a record high of foreign direct investment flows in 2020.

Interpretation

In the global economic playground of 2020, the European Union strutted its stuff as the reigning high roller, leading the pack in foreign direct investment outflows. Meanwhile, Africa experienced a setback, taking a step back on the FDI dance floor with a 16% decrease. On the flip side, Southeast Asia didn't miss a beat, sashaying its way to a record-breaking high in attracting foreign direct investment, showing that in the world of financial tango, shifts in power and prestige are always part of the ever-evolving dance.

Sector-specific investments

  • The technology sector was the top recipient of foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in renewable energy projects increased by 1% in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the healthcare sector grew by 11% in 2020.
  • The automotive industry attracted $74 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the logistics sector increased by 6% in 2020.
  • The finance and insurance sector saw a 5% decline in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in real estate plunged by 31% in 2020.
  • The information technology sector received $44 billion in global foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • The manufacturing sector attracted $207 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the energy sector declined by 20% in 2020.
  • The retail sector saw a 7% increase in foreign direct investment in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the agricultural sector grew by 8% in 2020.
  • The healthcare sector accounted for 9% of global foreign direct investment flows in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in green technology increased by 15% in 2020.
  • Foreign direct investment in the pharmaceutical sector grew by 5% in 2020.
  • The biotechnology industry attracted $15 billion in foreign direct investment in 2020.

Interpretation

In the world of foreign direct investments, it seems that 2020 was a year of sector spotlight musical chairs—while technology and healthcare took center stage and dazzled with their double-digit growth, real estate and energy were left sulking in the corner after facing sharp declines. The automotive industry managed to rev its engines attracting a whopping $74 billion, but finance and insurance hit a roadblock with a 5% decline. It appears that even in the economic world, some industries were the prom queens while others were relegated to the sidelines, proving that in the game of attracting global investments, it's not just about the numbers—it's about the sector's star power.

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