Global foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 6% in 2025 to about $1.6 trillion, ending two years of decline, the United Nations reported [1, 2, 3]. Developed economies saw an 11% rise in inflows, totaling roughly $723 billion, while developing economies' inflows rose only 2% to $901 billion [1, 2, 3]. Twenty countries accounted for over 80% of global FDI flows in 2025 [1, 2, 3].

FDI growth was concentrated in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy transition technologies, which accounted for 44% of global greenfield investment, up sharply from 16% in 2020 [1, 2, 3]. Data centers led with $235 billion in greenfield investments, followed by oil and gas at $38 billion and semiconductors at $13 billion [1, 3]. Meanwhile, most other sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing experienced declines in new project activity [1, 2].

Regionally, developing Asian countries remained the largest recipients with $644 billion in FDI, representing more than 40% of global inflows and over 70% of developing economies’ total [1, 2]. Within Asia, Southeast Asia surpassed East Asia as the top subregion for FDI in 2025 [2]. India’s FDI inflows surged 44%, boosting South Asia’s growth [2]. China attracted approximately $105 billion, down from about $116 billion the prior year, but retained its position as a leading FDI destination [2, 3].

The United States was the largest single recipient, drawing $277 billion in FDI, followed by Singapore ($151 billion), Hong Kong ($116 billion), China ($105 billion), and Brazil ($77 billion) [3]. Countries globally introduced a record 229 new investment policy measures focused mostly on encouraging investment but increasingly targeting strategic sectors and economic security [2].

UN chief Antonio Guterres noted, "The FDI growth seen in 2025 masks underlying fragility and disparities across countries, regions and sectors," while UNCTAD emphasized the role of "a small number of megaprojects, particularly infrastructure related to artificial intelligence" in driving expansion [1].

Despite growth, the 2026 outlook remains uncertain due to trade policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, high financing costs, and economic fragmentation, UNCTAD said [1, 2, 3]. The upcoming World Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for October 25-27, 2026, will discuss these trends and challenges [2].