The number of treaty-based investor–State dispute settlement (ISDS) cases has more than doubled in the past 10 years. This IIA Issues Note provides facts and figures on ISDS cases brought under investment treaties.

The total count of ISDS cases brought based on investment treaties reached 1,332, with 60 new arbitrations initiated in 2023.

Developing countries faced the majority of investor–State disputes, often brought by claimants from developed countries.

About one third of total ISDS cases involve energy supply and extractive industries. These are the most frequent economic sectors underlying ISDS cases, followed by manufacturing, construction, and financial services.

By the end of 2023, investors had filed a total of 235 fossil fuel-related cases and at least 123 ISDS proceedings arose in relation to the renewable energy sector.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) collects information on treaty-based ISDS cases in its Investment Dispute Settlement Navigator database, providing a repository of publicly known cases.

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