United Kingdom FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
United Kingdom's fdi inflows was -2.13% in 2025, ranked 181st globally. This represents a 504.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's fdi inflows stood at -2.13% in 2025, a decline of +1.77% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -2.13% by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 181st globally.
United Kingdom foreign direct investment inflows have slipped into negative territory, registering –2.13 in 2025, which places the country 181st in the world and marks the all‑time trough after a 56‑year series that began with a modest inflow of 1.14 in 1970. This decline follows a dramatic reversal from the 2016 peak of 12.00, when the United Kingdom attracted its highest net FDI volume since records began. The shift reflects tightening global capital flows, heightened geopolitical risk and domestic policy uncertainty that have discouraged overseas investors. By comparison, Switzerland, a peer with a more favourable ranking, recorded –1.67 in the same year, while Brunei Darussalam fell to –2.41, underscoring that the United Kingdom’s downturn is not isolated but part of a broader regional contraction. If policy reforms succeed in improving regulatory clarity, strengthening intellectual‑property protections and offering incentives for high‑tech sectors, the United Kingdom could reverse the current trajectory and restore a more positive FDI balance in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -5.13% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -3.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -2.13% | - | - |
| 2025 | -2.13% | −1.77% | #181 |
| 2024 | -0.35% | −0.75% | #169 |
| 2023 | 0.40% | −2.51% | #158 |
| 2022 | 2.92% | −0.29% | #94 |
| 2021 | 3.21% | −2.56% | #84 |
| 2020 | 5.77% | +5.08% | #35 |
| 2019 | 0.69% | +1.55% | #159 |
| 2018 | -0.86% | −5.51% | #176 |
| 2017 | 4.64% | −7.36% | #56 |
| 2016 | 12.00% | +10.46% | #19 |
| 2015 | 1.54% | −0.37% | #134 |
| 2014 | 1.91% | −0.04% | #130 |
| 2013 | 1.95% | +0.23% | #121 |
| 2012 | 1.72% | +0.71% | #137 |
| 2011 | 1.01% | −1.66% | #163 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi inflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's fdi inflows was -2.13% in 2025. Ranked 181st globally. This represents a 504.6% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's fdi inflows peaked at 12.00% in 2016.
The lowest fdi inflows in United Kingdom was -2.13% in 2025.
United Kingdom ranks 181st globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's fdi inflows is projected to reach -2.13% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of United Kingdom in 2025 was -2.13%. This ranks 181st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_fdi-inflows,
title = {United Kingdom FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}