DBT inward investment results 2025 to 2026 (web version)
Published 23 June 2026
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Foreign direct investment (FDI) highlights
During the 2025 to 2026 financial year: 1,020 FDI projects landed in the UK.
69,166 new jobs were created in the UK through FDI.
16,407 existing jobs in the UK were safeguarded through FDI.
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
FDI projects
Figure 1: Number of FDI projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
In 2025 to 2026, 1,020 FDI projects landed in the UK.
| Financial Year | FDI projects |
|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 1,589 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 1,654 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 1,555 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 1,375 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 1,020 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Between 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026, the number of FDI projects which landed in the UK decreased by 25.8%.
See the technical annex for details on definitions, methodology and interpreting % changes.
DBT support for FDI projects
Figure 2: Number of DBT-supported FDI projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
DBT supported 648 of the FDI projects which landed in the UK in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | DBT-supported FDI projects | FDI projects without DBT support | Total FDI Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 1,174 | 415 | 1,589 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 1,083 | 571 | 1,654 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 1,018 | 537 | 1,555 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 836 | 539 | 1,375 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 648 | 372 | 1,020 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
The estimated total economic impact of the DBT-supported FDI projects which landed in 2025 to 2026 was £6,068 million, an increase compared to 2024 to 2025 (£6,041 million) and 2023 to 2024 (£5,757 million). See the technical annex for details and methodology.
The capital expenditure of DBT-supported FDI projects which landed in 2025 to 2026 was £37.818 billion, an increase compared to 2024 to 2025 (£27.687 billion) and 2023 to 2024 (£32.380 billion). See the technical annex for details and methodology.
New and existing investors
Figure 3: Number of FDI projects from new and existing UK investors which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
453 of the FDI projects that landed in the UK in 2025 to 2026 were from new investors.
| Financial Year | FDI projects from new investors | FDI projects from existing investors | Total FDI Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 596 | 993 | 1,589 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 711 | 943 | 1,654 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 611 | 944 | 1,555 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 553 | 822 | 1,375 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 453 | 567 | 1,020 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
New and safeguarded jobs
Figure 4: Number of new jobs created and existing jobs safeguarded through FDI projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
69,166 new jobs were created and 16,407 existing jobs were safeguarded through FDI projects which landed in the UK in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | Jobs created by FDI projects | Jobs safeguarded by FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 84,759 | 7,765 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 79,549 | 6,646 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 71,478 | 11,613 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 69,355 | 10,195 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 69,166 | 16,407 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Between 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026, the number of new jobs created through FDI projects which landed in the UK decreased by 0.3% and the number of existing jobs safeguarded through FDI which landed in the UK increased by 60.9%.
FDI projects and jobs in 2025 to 2026 by Industrial Strategy Sector (Official Statistics in Development)
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy is a UK government initiative designed to grow the economy, of which FDI is a component in this strategy.
Figure 5: Number of FDI projects and the jobs created through them in 2025 to 2026, by Industrial Strategy Sector (Official Statistics in Development)
The Digital and Technologies Industrial Strategy Sector created the most jobs from FDI projects in 2025 to 2026.
| Industrial Strategy Sector | FDI projects | Jobs created by FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Manufacturing | 152 | 5,673 |
| Clean Energy Industries | 54 | 3,693 |
| Creative Industries | 105 | 6,863 |
| Defence | 20 | 1,401 |
| Digital and Technologies | 264 | 20,866 |
| Financial Services | 105 | 3,477 |
| Life Sciences | 67 | 2,569 |
| Professional and Business Services | 106 | 3,973 |
| Total | 669 | 38,466 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Some projects are allocated to multiple sectors resulting in double counting, therefore the total does not equal the aggregate of the individual sectors. As these figures are considered to be Official Statistics in Development caution must be exercised when using the figures. See the technical annex for details and methodology.
FDI projects and jobs in 2025 to 2026 by sector
Figure 6: Number of FDI projects and the jobs created through them in 2025 to 2026, by sector
The software and computer services sector saw the most FDI projects and the environment, infrastructure and transportation sector saw the most new jobs created in 2025 to 2026.
| Sector | FDI projects | Jobs created by FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced engineering and supply chain | 94 | 3,301 |
| Aerospace | [c] | [c] |
| Automotive | 34 | 1,509 |
| Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals | 37 | 1,492 |
| Business and consumer services | 34 | 1,844 |
| Chemicals and agriculture | 23 | 560 |
| Creative and media | 33 | 1,567 |
| Electronics and communications | 34 | 5,101 |
| Environment, infrastructure and transportation | 117 | 18,922 |
| Extraction industries | [c] | [c] |
| Financial services | 121 | 4,513 |
| Food and drink | 77 | 3,245 |
| Life sciences | 58 | 1,676 |
| Renewable energy | 38 | 1,217 |
| Software and computer services | 197 | 14,575 |
| Wholesale | 104 | 8,142 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
[c] Indicates data is disclosive.
Sectors are built up from categories defined in DBT’s internal database. The results tables show the breakdowns in each grouping and the technical annex gives more detail on definitions and methodology.
Types of FDI
Figure 7: Number of the 3 types of FDI projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
679 of the FDI projects that landed in the UK in 2025 to 2026 were new investment projects.
| Financial Year | New investment | Expansions (including retentions) | Mergers and acquisitions (including joint ventures) | Total FDI projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 907 | 466 | 216 | 1,589 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 1,048 | 407 | 199 | 1,654 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 1,023 | 357 | 175 | 1,555 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 815 | 373 | 187 | 1,375 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 679 | 257 | 84 | 1,020 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Between 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026, the number of the 3 types of FDI projects which landed in the UK:
- decreased by 16.7% for new investment projects
- decreased by 31.1% for expansion projects (including retentions)
- decreased by 55.1% for mergers and acquisitions (including joint ventures)
FDI projects and jobs in 2025 to 2026 by UK region
Figure 8: Number of FDI projects in 2025 to 2026, by UK region
The North West saw the most FDI projects outside of London in 2025 to 2026.
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Figure 9: Number of jobs created in 2025 to 2026, by UK region
The North West saw the most new jobs created outside of London in 2025 to 2026.
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Figure 10: Number of FDI projects and the jobs created through them in 2025 to 2026, by region
| Region | FDI projects | Jobs created by FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| North East | 23 | 951 |
| North West | 115 | 5,254 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 40 | 1,200 |
| East Midlands | 44 | 2,094 |
| West Midlands | 98 | 4,634 |
| East of England | 35 | 5,216 |
| London | 326 | 14,261 |
| South East | 64 | 3,984 |
| South West | 29 | 1,362 |
| Scotland | 94 | 3,616 |
| Wales | 75 | 1,617 |
| Northern Ireland | 33 | 1,161 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Note: 44 multiple location projects associated with 23,816 new jobs are not included.
Top source markets for FDI projects in 2025 to 2026
Figure 11: Number of FDI projects and the jobs created through them in 2025 to 2026, by source market
United States was the top source market for FDI in 2025 to 2026.
| Country | FDI projects | Jobs created by FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 239 | 15,796 |
| India | 93 | 12,687 |
| France | 64 | 4,228 |
| Germany | 62 | 4,802 |
| Ireland | 45 | 1,531 |
| Netherlands | 39 | 2,142 |
| Spain | 39 | 1,725 |
| Italy | 36 | 1,622 |
| Sweden | 36 | 993 |
| Australia | 32 | 900 |
| Canada | 32 | 1,263 |
| Japan | 30 | 1,045 |
| China | 26 | 1,836 |
| Turkey | 25 | 564 |
| Switzerland | 24 | 1,307 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Note: 198 FDI projects associated with 16,725 new jobs relate to countries not shown.
DBT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme
A subset of the DBT-supported FDI projects are related to DBT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP).
This programme attracts and enables high potential, internationally mobile entrepreneurs and their fast growth, innovation-rich companies to scale and internationalise from a UK global headquarters.
Figure 12: Number of GEP FDI projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026 and the jobs they created
There were 57 GEP FDI projects which landed in the UK in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | GEP FDI projects | Jobs created by GEP FDI projects |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 68 | 1,649 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 109 | 2,544 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 81 | 2,015 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 70 | 1,624 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 57 | 1,177 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Clean Growth
Clean growth projects relate to those where a company has expressed an intention that the investment is either directly or indirectly aligned to the net zero strategy. Figures contain both FDI and non-FDI projects. See technical annex for full details.
Figure 13: Number of Clean Growth investment projects and the jobs they created in 2025 to 2026
116 investment projects which landed in the 2025-26 financial year were aligned to clean growth.
| Specific Policy Commitment | All projects | New Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Growth | 116 | 12,848 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Research and development
Research and development (R&D) projects relate to those associated with an activity undertaken for the purpose of discovering or developing new knowledge and/or technologies, products and services. Figures contain both FDI and non-FDI projects. See technical annex for full details.
Since the 2022 to 2023 financial year, DBT has reported the number of investment projects (both FDI and non-FDI) that classify as R&D and the new jobs that these projects have created.
Figure 14: Number of investment projects which categorise as R&D and landed each financial year between 2022 to 2023 and 2025 to 2026 and the jobs they created
There were 268 R&D projects which landed in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | All projects | New jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | 441 | 19,092 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 414 | 18,527 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 308 | 22,394 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 268 | 22,211 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Venture capital and large capital
DBT measure the value of 2 specific types of capital investment: venture capital and large capital. Some of this investment meets the criteria to be classified as FDI but some is either non-FDI capital investment or commitments to invest. See technical annex for full details.
Venture capital
Venture capital attracts overseas investment from corporate venture capitalists and venture capital funds into high-value start-ups, growth companies and funds.
Figure 15: Value of the venture capital investment projects which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
Venture capital investment worth £3,911 million landed in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | Investments (£ millions) |
|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 960 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 1,239 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 860 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 4,355 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 3,911 |
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
Large capital
Large capital involves overseas institutional investment into large capital projects in real estate, infrastructure and energy.
Figure 16: Value of the large capital investment projects and commitments to invest which landed in the UK each financial year between 2021 to 2022 and 2025 to 2026
Large capital investments worth £12,827 million landed in 2025 to 2026.
| Financial Year | Investments (£ millions) | Commitments to invest (£ millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | 4,683 | 13,911 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 17,253 | 25,777 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 7,049 | 33,796 |
| 2024 to 2025 | 23,827 | 31,727 |
| 2025 to 2026 | 12,827 | 121,066 |
The number of jobs and amount of capital expenditure related to each investment project varies greatly with some outliers having a large impact on aggregate figures. This can result in large percentage changes between years which should be interpreted with caution.
Source: Department for Business and Trade.
How the Department for Business and Trade can help you
Whether you are a start-up, a medium-sized or family business, a corporate or an institutional investor, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports the realisation of your international business ambitions.
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We welcome feedback on our statistics to ensure they meet user needs. Complete our short User Engagement Survey to share your views.
For any other comments or questions contact DBT’s Investment Performance Team at: investmentperformance@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Disclaimer
Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate, the Department for Business and 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.