Foreign direct investment, net outflows in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Foreign direct investment, net outflows was 86.93 billion BoP, current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment, net outflows in United Kingdom, 1970–2025
Source: Balance of Payments database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), note: International Monetary Fund, Balance of Payments database, supplemented by data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and D. Measured in BoP, current US$.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 86.93 billion BoP, current US$ for foreign direct investment, net outflows in 2025.
That represents a change of up 219.9% on the previous year and up 244.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment, net outflows in United Kingdom peaked at 370.39 billion BoP, current US$ in 2007 and was at its lowest, -113.92 billion BoP, current US$, in 2014.
United Kingdom ranks 7th of 191 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.59 billion BoP, current US$ | 1.68 billion BoP, current US$ | 12.54 billion BoP, current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 17.63 billion BoP, current US$ | 7.16 billion BoP, current US$ | 41.64 billion BoP, current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 72.51 billion BoP, current US$ | 23.55 billion BoP, current US$ | 242.35 billion BoP, current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 168.19 billion BoP, current US$ | -48.40 billion BoP, current US$ | 370.39 billion BoP, current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.42 billion BoP, current US$ | -113.92 billion BoP, current US$ | 172.04 billion BoP, current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.33 billion BoP, current US$ | -72.50 billion BoP, current US$ | 143.63 billion BoP, current US$ | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 4 Luxembourg 108.60 billion BoP, current US$ compare
- 5 Germany 108.13 billion BoP, current US$ compare
- 6 Singapore 94.20 billion BoP, current US$ compare
- 8 Hong Kong 80.54 billion BoP, current US$ compare
- 9 France 80.27 billion BoP, current US$ compare
- 10 United Arab Emirates 77.17 billion BoP, current US$ compare
More economy & growth data for United Kingdom
- Exports of goods and services 930.11 billion current LCU (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added 376.76 billion constant LCU (2025)
- Gross national expenditure 4.06 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Gross national expenditure 3.08 trillion current LCU (2025)
- Gross national expenditure 3.41 trillion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added 0.4% (2025)
- Gross national expenditure 101.4% (2025)
- Exports of goods and services 1.22 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Gross fixed capital formation 755.83 billion current US$ (2025)
- Exports of goods and services 30.6% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment, net outflows in United Kingdom?
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows in United Kingdom was 86.93 billion BoP, current US$ in 2025, according to Balance of Payments database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), note: International Monetary Fund, Balance of Payments database, supplemented by data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and D.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment, net outflows recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 370.39 billion BoP, current US$ in 2007.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment, net outflows recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was -113.92 billion BoP, current US$ in 2014.
- How does United Kingdom rank for foreign direct investment, net outflows?
- United Kingdom ranks 7th out of 191 countries with data for 2025.
- Is foreign direct investment, net outflows rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 244.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Balance of Payments database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), note: International Monetary Fund, Balance of Payments database, supplemented by data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and D, published as part of Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Foreign direct investment refers to direct investment equity flows in an economy. It is the sum of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and other capital. Direct investment is a category of cross-border investment associated with a resident in one economy having control or a significant degree of influence on the management of an enterprise that is resident in another economy. Ownership of 10 percent or more of the ordinary shares of voting stock is the criterion for determining the existence of a direct investment relationship. This series shows net outflows of investment from the reporting economy to the rest of the world. Data are in current U.S. dollars.