Global foreign direct investment fell by 11%, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows, according to the World Investment Report 2025. Although global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 4% in 2024 to $1.5 trillion the increase is the result of, among other factors, volatile financial conduit flows through several European economies, which often serve as transfer points for investments.

This year’s report comes ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), where global leaders will address the widening gap between capital flows and development needs. The findings underscore the urgency of reshaping investment and finance systems to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

Investment dropped sharply across developed economies, particularly in Europe. In developing countries, inflows appeared broadly stable – but this concealed a deeper crisis: in too many economies, capital is stagnating or bypassing entirely the sectors that matter most – infrastructure, energy, technology, and the industries that drive job creation.

“Too many economies are being left behind not for lack of potential – but because the system still sends capital where it’s easiest, not where it’s needed,” said UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. “But we can change that. If we align public and private investment with development goals and build trust into the system, domestic and international markets will bring scale, stability and predictability, and today’s volatility can become tomorrow’s opportunity.”

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World Investment Report 2025 (Overview)

Preface and Foreword

Chapter 1: International investment trends

Chapter 2: Investment policy trends

Chapter 3: Sustainable finance trends

Chapter 4: International investment in the digital economy

Annex tables