United Kingdom FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
United Kingdom's fdi outflows was -0.89% in 2025, ranked 161st globally. This represents a 54.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's fdi outflows stood at -0.89% in 2025, a rise of +1.08% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.89% by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 161st globally.
United Kingdom foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows have fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 17.47 in 2000 to a pronounced deficit of –0.89 in 2025, placing the country 161st globally and marking the second‑largest negative swing in the 56‑year series. The decline accelerated after the 2014 trough of –3.69, when outflows briefly turned strongly negative before a modest rebound in the late 2010s; however, the recent figure remains well below the 1970 baseline of 1.28. Compared with peer economies of similar rank, the United Kingdom’s outflow gap is marginally larger than Timor‑Leste’s –0.84 and slightly better than Lithuania’s –0.90, indicating that the UK continues to experience a net capital flight relative to many mid‑ranked nations. Structural factors such as post‑Brexit regulatory adjustments and persistent uncertainty about trade relationships have constrained outward investment. If policy reforms enhance investor confidence and improve access to overseas markets, the downward trajectory could stabilize or reverse in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -2.57% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -1.73% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.89% | +1.08% | #161 |
| 2024 | -1.97% | −2.85% | #5 |
| 2023 | 0.88% | −3.63% | #113 |
| 2022 | 4.51% | +0.34% | #154 |
| 2021 | 4.17% | +3.57% | #148 |
| 2020 | 0.60% | +1.35% | #120 |
| 2019 | -0.75% | +0.24% | #11 |
| 2018 | -0.99% | −7.36% | #12 |
| 2017 | 6.37% | +5.16% | #163 |
| 2016 | 1.22% | +3.26% | #115 |
| 2015 | -2.04% | +1.65% | #5 |
| 2014 | -3.69% | −5.35% | #5 |
| 2013 | 1.65% | +1.21% | #124 |
| 2012 | 0.44% | −2.58% | #80 |
| 2011 | 3.02% | +0.84% | #142 |
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 outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's fdi outflows was -0.89% in 2025. Ranked 161st globally. This represents a 54.9% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's fdi outflows peaked at 17.47% in 2000.
The lowest fdi outflows in United Kingdom was -3.69% in 2014.
United Kingdom ranks 161st globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's fdi outflows is projected to reach -0.89% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of United Kingdom in 2025 was -0.89%. This ranks 161st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_fdi-outflows,
title = {United Kingdom FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}