European Union FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
European Union's fdi outflows was 0.78% in 2025, ranked 67th globally. This represents a 65.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
European Union's fdi outflows stood at 0.78% in 2025, a decline of +1.48% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.78% by 2025. European Union ranked 67th globally.
FDI outflows from the European Union fell to 0.78 in 2025, placing the bloc at 67th in the global ranking. This figure matches the level recorded by Costa Rica and is only slightly above Romania’s 0.75, underscoring the EU’s modest position among net investors despite its large internal market. The EU’s outflow trajectory has been highly volatile: after a historic peak of 11.07 in 2007, the bloc swung into a negative balance of –1.31 in 2023, the deepest trough in the 55‑year series that begins in 1971 with 0.51. The post‑2008 decline reflects tighter financial conditions, the euro‑area sovereign‑debt crisis and, more recently, geopolitical tensions that have curtailed outward investment. Nevertheless, the modest rebound to 0.78 suggests a tentative recovery as firms seek growth opportunities abroad. Continued improvement will depend on the EU’s ability to restore investor confidence, harmonise cross‑border regulations and mitigate external shocks that could otherwise reverse the emerging upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -0.23% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.27% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.78% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.78% | −1.48% | #67 |
| 2024 | 2.26% | +3.57% | #145 |
| 2023 | -1.31% | −4.58% | #11 |
| 2022 | 3.26% | −2.98% | #143 |
| 2021 | 6.25% | +5.25% | #158 |
| 2020 | 0.99% | −2.55% | #138 |
| 2019 | 3.54% | +1.28% | #156 |
| 2018 | 2.27% | −2.07% | #150 |
| 2017 | 4.34% | −1.92% | #157 |
| 2016 | 6.26% | −0.75% | #163 |
| 2015 | 7.01% | +2.97% | #163 |
| 2014 | 4.04% | −0.76% | #157 |
| 2013 | 4.80% | +0.32% | #155 |
| 2012 | 4.47% | −1.47% | #146 |
| 2011 | 5.94% | +1.72% | #150 |
Analysis
European Union's fdi outflows was 0.78% in 2025, a decline of −1.48% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 0.78% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's fdi outflows was 0.78% in 2025. Ranked 67th globally. This represents a 65.5% decrease from the previous year.
European Union's fdi outflows peaked at 11.07% in 2007.
The lowest fdi outflows in European Union was -1.31% in 2023.
European Union ranks 67th globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's fdi outflows is projected to reach 0.78% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of European Union in 2025 was 0.78%. This ranks 67th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_fdi-outflows,
title = {European Union FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}