Global foreign direct investment (FDI) remained flat in 2019, at US$1.39 trillion, a 1% decline from a revised $1.41 trillion in 2018. This is against the backdrop of weaker macroeconomic performance and policy uncertainty for investors, including trade tensions.
Flows to developing economies remained unchanged at an estimated $694 billion. FDI increased by 16% in Latin America and the Caribbean and 2% in Africa. Despite a decline of 6%, flows to developing countries in Asia continued to account for one-third of global FDI in 2019. Flows to transition economies rose by two thirds to $57 billion.
The latest UNCTAD Global Investment Trend Monitor analyses the most recent trends in global investment and assesses its prospects. It covers FDI trends in developed, developing and transition economies.
For an in-depth analysis of FDI trends, please look out for the forthcoming World Investment Report 2020 to be published in June 2020.
Journalists with access to the UNCTAD virtual newsroom may download the full text of the Monitor.
Access to the virtual newsroom requires a password. To obtain one, please fill out the online form.
After the lifting of the embargo, documents related to the report will be available on the main UNCTAD website.
For further information or to request interviews with UNCTAD experts, please contact the UNCTAD Press Office (+41 22 917 5828/5549/5166, unctadpress@unctad.org).
