Official Statistics

Department for International Trade inward investment results 2019 to 2020

Published 10 July 2020

Foreign direct investment (FDI) 2019 to 2020 highlights

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

2018-19 2019-20 % change
Total projects 1,782 1,852 4%
- Involved projects (DIT supported) 1,436 1,449 1%
New jobs 57,625 56,117 -3%
Safeguarded jobs 6,998 9,021 29%

See technical annex for details on definitions and methodology.

FDI projects in the UK 2015-2016 to 2019-2020

Number of UK projects: 2015 to 2016 = 2213, 2016 to 2017 = 2265, 2017 to 2018 = 2072, 2018 to 2019 = 1782, 2019 to 2020 = 1,852. Total Projects 1852, 41% or 756 new investor projects, 59% or 1096 existing investor projects. DIT supported projects 1449.

New jobs created in the UK 2015-2016 to 2019-2020

Number of UK jobs created: 2015 to 2016 = 82,650, 2016 to 2017 = 75,226, 2017 to 2018 = 75,968, 2018 to 2019 = 57,625, 2019 to 2020 = 56,117. New jobs 56,117.

Types of FDI

Types of investment projects 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change
New investments 1,130 1,237 1,179 1,035 1,153 11%
Expansions (including retentions) 821 822 714 554 504 -9%
Mergers and acquisitions (including joint ventures) 262 206 179 193 195 1%
Total projects 2,213 2,265 2,072 1,782 1,852 4%

New projects and jobs from FDI into the UK

Regions FDI projects New jobs
North East 73 2,979
North West 154 5,013
Yorkshire and the Humber 104 2,264
East Midlands 85 2,425
West Midlands 157 3,883
East of England 79 1,709
London 638 12,989
South East 211 6,434
South West 70 1,472
Scotland 121 2,946
Wales 62 2,736
Northern Ireland 40 2,351

Source: Department for International Trade.

Note: 58 multiple location projects associated with 8,916 new jobs are not included.

Top source markets for FDI projects into the UK

Markets Projects New jobs Safeguarded jobs
United States 462 20,131 863
India 120 5,429 c
Germany 115 3,755 1.346
France 99 2,882 779
China and Hong Kong 87 1,820 c
Italy 78 837 1,084
Australia and New Zealand 72 1,155 c
Japan 65 1,716 c
Canada 63 1,007 158
Netherlands 61 2.742 c
Spain 56 1,352 c
Ireland c c c
Switzerland c c c
Nordic and Baltic 134 3,301 427
Rest of Europe, Middle East and Africa 274 5,742 573
Rest of Americas 48 932 0
Rest of Asia Pacific 53 751 c

c: Indicates data are disclosive.

Source: Department for International Trade

Sector results 2019 to 2020

Projects New jobs Safeguarded jobs Total jobs
Advanced engineering and supply chain 161 2,225 6,088 8,313
Aerospace 54 1,522 122 1,644
Automotive 80 3,212 1,036 4,248
Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals 56 1,264 c c
Business and consumer services 164 5,353 246 5,599
Chemicals and agriculture 66 429 c c
Creative and media 110 2,668 c c
Electronics and communications 67 5,109 c c
Environment, infrastructure and transportation 148 5,810 222 6,032
Extraction industries 33 2,240 c c
Financial services 139 4,184 c c
Food and drink 138 4,750 614 5.364
Life sciences 103 1,921 c c
Renewable energy 37 876 c c
Software and computer services 390 10,244 88 10,332
Wholesale 106 4,310 c c

c: Indicates data are disclosive and therefore total jobs have not been provided.

Source: Department for International Trade.

Sectors are built up from categories defined in DIT’s internal database, see results tables for further information.

DIT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme and Capital Investment

Global Entrepreneur Programme

A subset of involved projects is related to DIT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP). This programme enables high potential, internationally mobile entrepreneurs and their fast growth innovation-rich companies to scale and internationalise from a UK global headquarters.

2018-19 2019-20 % change
Projects 83 89 7%
New jobs 1,740 1,691 -3%

Capital Investment

Growth capital involves overseas investment from corporate, venture capital and individual investors into high-value start-ups, growth companies and funds.

Large capital involves overseas institutional investment into large capital projects in real estate, infrastructure and energy.

Whilst capital investment is all foreign investment, most does not meet the criteria of FDI. See technical annex for full details.

2018-19 Investments (£m) Commitments to invest (£m)
Growth capital investments 623 z
Large capital investments 3,732 7,373
2019-20 Investments (£m) Commitments to invest (£m)
Growth capital investments 1,031 z
Large capital investments 4,023 11,151

z Indicates data are not applicable

How the Department for International Trade can help you

Whether you are a start-up, a medium-sized or family business, a corporate or an institutional investor, Department for International Trade (DIT) supports the realisation of your international business ambitions.

DIT offers flexible support packages for every aspect of your investment.

Our service doesn’t stop once you are based in the UK — it continues as your business expands internationally. We have helped thousands of businesses locate and expand in the UK. We listen to their feedback to help strengthen and improve our services.

Not sure which country is best for your business?

Comparing the benefits of locating in different countries is complicated. It is our job to explain the business environment in competitor countries. We provide the detailed factual information and market insights that let you draw meaningful conclusions about the UK’s competitiveness.

Already established here, but looking to expand your business?

We can help you develop the relationships that enable expansion in the UK and exports to European and global markets. This could include:

  • connecting you with innovation support for new products and services
  • using our overseas network to increase your exports
  • helping you access finance

Already decided to bring your business to the UK?

We help you set up business quickly and efficiently, saving valuable time and money by guiding you through essential steps such as choosing the right location, finding premises, recruiting staff and connecting with the value chain. We have specialists covering all the industry sectors, as well as key issues such as visas, taxation, skills, planning permission and financial analysis.

Contact Department for International Trade

DIT’s services to international investors in the UK are free of charge and commercial-in-confidence.

Contact DIT’s Investment Services Team or by email enquiries@invest-trade.uk, or by telephone: +44(0) 207 000 9012.

Investment staff at a British embassy, high commission or trade office can also put investors in touch with the Investment Services Team.


Disclaimer

Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate, the Department for International Trade does not accept liability for any errors, omissions or misleading statements, and no warranty is given or responsibility accepted as to the standing of any individual, firm, company or other organisation mentioned.