The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has published its latest FDI in Figures update, showing that global foreign direct investment flows rose 15% in 2025 to USD 1.66 trillion. Excluding large fluctuations in selected European economies, the increase was 6%. The rebound was uneven across countries and in many cases was driven by intra-company loans and higher reinvested earnings. Within the OECD area, FDI inflows rose 9% to USD 748 billion and outflows 12%, but both measures were much weaker once the selected European fluctuations were excluded. Non-OECD G20 inflows increased 42%, with China recording its first rise after three years of decline, while outflows from non-OECD G20 economies fell 2% as Chinese outward FDI declined for a second year. The United States, China and Brazil were the largest destinations for FDI in 2025, and the United States, Japan and China were the leading sources of outflows. Cross-border M&A remained resilient, with deal values up 8% overall and up 34% in emerging markets and developing economies, but announced greenfield investment stalled, with capital expenditure down 3% and project numbers down 14%. The report notes that cross-border M&A activity eased in the first quarter of 2026, with deal values down about 2% and deal numbers down 13% from the last quarter of 2025. It adds that the conflict in the Middle East, elevated economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures linked to higher energy prices could weigh on the 2026 outlook. New detailed FDI data for 2024 are also available in the OECD online database.
OECD 2026-04-30
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports global FDI rose 15% in 2025 to USD 1.66 trillion while greenfield investment stalled
The OECD reports global foreign direct investment rose 15% in 2025 to USD 1.66 trillion, driven unevenly across countries and mainly by intra-company loans and higher reinvested earnings. Within the OECD, inflows increased 9% to USD 748 billion and outflows 12%, while non-OECD G20 inflows rose 42%, with China recording its first increase after three years of decline, even as non-OECD G20 outflows fell 2% on weaker Chinese outward FDI. Cross-border mergers and acquisitions remained resilient in 2025 but eased in early 2026, and the OECD warns that geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and energy-linked inflation could weigh on the 2026 outlook.