In 2007, EU27 FDI1 (foreign direct investment) in extra-EU27 countries (outflows) rose by 53%, from 275 bln euro in 2006 to 420 bln in 2007, while FDI into the EU27 from the rest of the world (inflows) increased by 89%, from 169 bln to 319 bln. In 2007, intra-EU272 FDI flows rose by 13% compared with 2006.
In 2007, the EU27 invested 113 bln euro in the USA and 58 bn in Canada, compared with 79 bn and 30 bn respectively in 2006. EU27 investments in Offshore financial centres3 rose from 50 bn to 84 bn. Investments grew also in Switzerland (from 23 bn to 34 bn), Russia (from 11 bn to 17 bn) and India (from 3 bln to 11 bln).
The USA invested 145 bn euro in the EU27 in 2007, compared with 74 bn in 2006. Investments in the EU27 from Offshore financial centres3 (from 30 bn to 98 bn), Switzerland (from 18 bn to 29 bn), Japan (from 14 bln to 18 bln) and India (from 1 bln to 10 bn) also increased, while Canadian investment remained stable at 9 bln.
EU27 FDI flows with China (excluding Hong Kong) remained modest in 2007, with EU27 investment of 2 bln euro in China and Chinese investment of 1 bln in the EU27.
These figures4, published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, come from first FDI results for 2007 and revised data for 20065.
The United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg and France main actors in extra-EU27 FDI flows
The United Kingdom, with outflows of 121 bln euro, and a 29% share of the EU27 total, was the largest investor in extra-EU27 in 2007, followed by Luxembourg (78 bln or 19%) and Germany (52 bln or 12%). With regard to extra-EU27 inflows, the United Kingdom, with 87 bln, and a 27% share of the EU27 total, was the main recipient of FDI, ahead of Luxembourg (50 bln or 16%) and France (23 bln or 7%). The role of Luxembourg in EU FDI is mainly explained by the importance of its financial intermediation activity6.
In 2007, the EU27 was a net investor in the rest of the world, with outflows higher than inflows by 101 bln euro (0.8% of GDP). In 2006 outflows were also higher than inflows, by 106 bln (0.9% of GDP). Among the Member States, Germany was the highest net investor outside the EU27 in 2007, with a difference of 50 bln. With inflows higher than outflows by 15 bln, Ireland was the largest net recipient of FDI from extra-EU27.
France main actor in intra-EU27 FDI
France (125 bln euro), Germany (71 bln) and Italy (64 bln) were the main investors inside the EU27 in 2007. The main recipients of investments from other Member States were France (86 bln), the Netherlands (67 bln) and the United Kingdom (49 bln).
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
