Foreign Direct Investment in the United States increased by 66726 USD Million in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Foreign Direct Investment - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S.; Asset (Current Cost), Transactions (ROWFDIQ027S) from Q4 1946 to Q1 2025 about FDI, IMA, transactions, assets, and USA.

In the last 20 years, the amount of FDI into the United States has more than doubled. In 2000, FDI was 1.26 trillion U.S. dollars, rising to 5.39 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment from a company in one country into a company or entity located in another country. While the United States receives huge amounts of FDI each year, it also invests large amounts in other countries. For example, in 2020 the United States invested over 890 billon U.S. dollars in the United Kingdom and another 843.95 billion U.S. dollars in the Netherlands.

Chinese companies invested 28.04 billion U.S. dollars into firms in the United States in 2023, when measured on a historical-cost basis. The total foreign direct investments in the U.S. were valued at approximately 5.39 trillion U.S. dollars in that year. Sino-American relations FDI flows are even higher from the United States into China than the flows in this statistic. In addition to FDI, the countries are linked by billions of U.S. dollars in trade value, much of which includes integrated supply chains which see intermediate products shipped back and forth before a final product goes to consumers. This close economic relationship does not imply a political partnership, however. In fact, the countries engaged in what most analysts consider a trade war starting in 2018. China’s other options China is expanding its Belt and Road Initiative, producing infrastructure investments abroad in different parts of Asia. However, these outflows do not yet reach the values seen in this statistic, partly due to the smaller size of the target economies. Still, the majority of net overseas direct investment from China goes to Asia. This measure is slightly different because it does not give the total volume of investments, but it underscores the importance of regional ties to Chinese investors.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S.; Asset (Current Cost), Transactions (ROWFDIA027N) from 1946 to 2024 about FDI, IMA, transactions, assets, and USA.

This statistic shows the direct investment position of the United States in China from 2000 to 2023, on a historical-cost basis. In 2023, the U.S. investments made in China were valued at 126.91 billion U.S. dollars. Direct investment position of the United States - additional information Foreign direct investment (FDI), simply put, is an investment of one company into another company located in a different country. It differs from a traditional way of investing into shares of foreign companies listed on a stock exchange. The companies which make foreign direct investment usually own a part of the company in which they invest and they have influence on the decision making process. In the United States, FDI is defined as an American investor (called the U.S. parent) owning a minimum of 10 percent of a foreign firm (known as a foreign affiliate). The total direct position of the United States abroad amounted to 6.68 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Although the phenomenon profits greatly from the technological advances of the 21st century, as well as from the cultural flexibility of today’s workforce, FDI has a long history, going back to the colonial empires. Not without critics, FDI is generally believed to bring advantages to the investing company, such as access to new markets and decreased costs of labor, materials and production facilities. The local economy can benefit from an infusion of capital, access to new technologies and engagement of native labor pool. There are three recognized types of foreign direct investment, namely horizontal FDI, platform FDI and vertical FDI, along with various methods of implementing the investment itself. FDI considered by many one of the motors of worldwide economic growth. U.S. foreign investment abroad has seen a dramatic growth in the past decades. Multinational American corporations, especially focused on manufacturing, have largely invested in facilities overseas, due to financial benefits. However, a large share of these corporations focuses toward not only supplying the U.S. market, but also the local markets in which they operate. In 2020, the country that received the largest amount of U.S. foreign investment was the United Kingdom, with a little over one trillion U.S. dollars, followed by the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Overall, the total amount of U.S. dollars invested in European states in 2021 reached 3.98 trillion U.S. dollars compared to 2.25 trillion U.S. dollars a decade prior.

Key information about United States Foreign Direct Investment: % of GDP

• United States Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) registered a growth equal to 1.3 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with a growth equal to 1.7 % in the previous quarter.
• US Foreign Direct Investment: % of Nominal GDP data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 6.2 % in Jun 1999 and a record low -1.7 % in Mar 2014.

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 310.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 96.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 96.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 637.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

In 2022, no country had a higher foreign direct investment (FDI) position in the United States than Japan, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. At that time, Japan had over 711 billion U.S. dollars invested in the United States.

What is FDI?

FDI is an international investment, in this case when a foreign firm or individual invests in a business in the United States. The worldwide value of FDI flows is immense, which is a result of the increasing connectedness of world financial markets. In this statistic, we see countries that are connected to the U.S. for historic and geographic reasons, such as the UK and Canada respectively, investing large sums of money in U.S. enterprises. The countries which received the most FDI from the United States in 2022 were the Netherlands, the UK, and Luxembourg.

The effects of FDI

Foreign direct investment, like any increase in capital, leads to a higher number of jobs. The economy of the target country grows, and the investing country generally earns a good rate of return. Critics of FDI worry that it opens companies to the influence of foreign individuals and firms.

Key information about United States Foreign Direct Investment

• United States Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 96.6 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with an increase of 120.7 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• US Foreign Direct Investment: USD mn net flows data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 244.5 USD bn in Mar 2015 and a record low of -69.8 USD bn in Mar 2014.

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 310.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 96.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 637.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Holding Companies; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S. (Market Value); Liability, Level (BOGZ1FL733192003Q) from Q4 1945 to Q1 2025 about FDI, liabilities, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S.: Equity; Asset (Market Value), Transactions (BOGZ1FA263092141A) from 1946 to 2024 about FDI, market value, equity, transactions, assets, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Security Brokers and Dealers; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S. (Current Cost); Liability (BEA), Revaluation (BOGZ1FR663192063A) from 1946 to 2024 about FDI, brokers, revaluation, cost, dealers, liabilities, securities, and USA.

United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Income: South & Central America: Other Countries data was reported at 59.000 USD mn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -38.000 USD mn for Dec 2017. United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Income: South & Central America: Other Countries data is updated quarterly, averaging -0.500 USD mn from Mar 1994 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 68 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59.000 USD mn in Mar 2018 and a record low of -50.000 USD mn in Mar 2009. United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Income: South & Central America: Other Countries data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.O002: Foreign Direct Investment: By Country: Income.

Historical chart and dataset showing U.S. foreign direct investment by year from 1970 to 2023.

Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) in United States was reported at 1.2582 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2023, the foreign direct investments from Asia Pacific in the United States amounted to approximately 988.75 billion U.S. dollars. The total foreign direct investments in the U.S. were valued at approximately 5.39 billion U.S. dollars in that year.

United States Foreign Direct Investment Position: Outward: % of Total (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Total: Near and Middle East data was reported at 1.215 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.218 % for 2022. United States Foreign Direct Investment Position: Outward: % of Total (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Total: Near and Middle East data is updated yearly, averaging 1.218 % from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2023, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.345 % in 2020 and a record low of 1.215 % in 2023. United States Foreign Direct Investment Position: Outward: % of Total (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Total: Near and Middle East data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.OECD.FDI: Foreign Direct Investment: % of Total FDI: by Region and Country: OECD Member: Annual. Reverse investment:Reverse investment in equity (when a direct investment enterprise acquires less than 10% equity ownership in its parent) cannot be identified but is believed to be extremely rare. Netting of reverse investment in debt (when a direct investment enterprise extends a loan to its parent) is applied in the recording of total inward and outward FDI transactions and positions. Treatment of debt FDI transactions and positions between fellow enterprises: directional basis according to the residency of the direct investor. FDI transactions and positions by partner country and by industry include resident Special Purpose Entities (SPEs), but they are not significant. Valuation method used for listed inward and outward equity positions: Book values. Valuation method used for unlisted inward and outward equity positions: Book value. Valuation method used for inward and outward debt positions: Book value.; FDI statistics are available by geographic allocation, vis-à-vis single partner countries worldwide and geographical and economic zones aggregates. Partner country allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Geographic allocation of inward and outward FDI transactions and positions is according to the immediate counterparty. Inward FDI positions according to the ultimate counterparty (the ultimate investing country) are also available and publishable. In the dataset 'FDI statistics by parner country and by industry - Summary', inward FDI positions are showed according to the UIC. Intercompany debt between related financial intermediaries, including permanent debt, are excluded from FDI transactions and positions. Direct investment relationships are identified according to the criteria of the Participation Multiplication Method (PMM) method. Debt between fellow enterprises are partially covered. Collective investment institutions are partially covered as direct investment enterprises. Non-profit institutions serving households are covered as direct investors. FDI statistics are available by industry sectors according to ISIC4 classification. Industry sector allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Inward FDI transactions and positions are allocated to the activity of the resident direct investment enterprise. Outward FDI transactions are allocated according to the activity of the resident direct investor. Outward FDI positions are allocated according to the activity of the non resident direct investment enterprise. Statistical unit: Local Enterprise Group.

United States Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data was reported at 74.095 USD bn in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 61.189 USD bn for Sep 2024. United States Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data is updated quarterly, averaging 56.919 USD bn from Mar 1997 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 236.970 USD bn in Mar 2015 and a record low of -74.867 USD bn in Mar 2014. United States Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.O001: Foreign Direct Investment: by Industry: NAICS: Flow. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Foreign Direct Investment in U.S.: Equity; Asset (Market Value), Level (BOGZ1FL263092141Q) from Q4 1945 to Q1 2025 about FDI, market value, equity, assets, and USA.

United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Mfg: ow: Other Manufacturing data was reported at 10.650 USD bn in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.282 USD bn for Mar 2018. United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Mfg: ow: Other Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.423 USD bn from Mar 2002 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53.385 USD bn in Dec 2008 and a record low of -12.881 USD bn in Sep 2013. United States (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment: Mfg: ow: Other Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.O001: Foreign Direct Investment: by Industry: NAICS: Flow.