JETRO Invest Japan Report 2021
Chapter1. Macroeconomic and Inward/Outward Foreign Direct Investment Trends in the World and Japan Section2. FDI Trends in the World and Japan
Global Trends in Outward FDI

Looking at the global outward FDI (net flow; hereinafter outward FDI) by region in 2020, developed economies accounted for 46.9%, and developing economies 53.1% (Chart 1-18). Investment by developed countries and regions, in particular, fell sharply (Chart 1-19). The amount of outward FDI by Japan, the largest investor in 2018 and 2019, fell by 49.0% year on year, and there was a net withdrawal of investment by the Netherlands. The ratio of outward FDI from developed economies fell below 50% for the first time in two years, and that from developing economies (53.1% of the total) reached a record high.

Chart 1-18: Outward FDI by Region
Looking at the Outward FDI by Region, in 2000, 92.1% for developed economies and 7.9% for developing economies; in 2001, 91.2% for developed economies and 8.8% for developing economies; in 2002, 91.3% for developed economies and 8.7% for developing economies; in 2003, 90.4% for developed economies and 9.6% for developing economies; in 2004, 85.9% for developed economies and 14.1% for developing economies; in 2005, 84.6% for developed economies and 15.4% for developing economies; in 2006, 83.1% for developed economies and 6.9% for developing economies; in 2007, 85.2% for developed economies and 14.8% for developing economies; in 2008, 80.5% for developed economies and 19.5% for developing economies; in 2009, 76.1% for developed economies and 23.9% for developing economies; in 2010, 70.7% for developed economies and 29.3% for developing economies; in 2011, 73.2% for developed economies and 26.8% for developing economies; in 2012, 70.1% for developed economies and 29.9% for developing economies; in 2013, 65.9% for developed economies and 34.1% for developing economies; in 2014, 62.0% for developed economies and 38.0% for developing economies; in 2015, 74.4% for developed economies and 25.6% for developing economies; in 2016, 72.6% for developed economies and 27.4% for developing economies; in 2017, 67.8% for developed economies and 32.2% for developing economies; in 2018, 49.5% for developed economies and 50.5% for developing economies; in 2019, 64.0% for developed economies and 36.0% for developing economies; and in 2020, 46.9% for developed economies and 53.1% for developing economies.

Note: "Developed economies" is as defined by UNCTAD. The amount of inflow to developing economies is computed by subtracting that of developed economies from that of the world.
Source: "World Investment Report 2021" (UNCTAD)

Chart 1-19: Outward FDI: Top Ten Countries and Regions (Billion dollars %)
Ranking
in 2020 		Country/Region Change in
Ranking 		2019 2020 2020
YoY 		2020
Share
1 China Rank up 137 133 -2.9 18.0
2 Luxembourg Rank up 34 127 268.7 17.2
3 Japan Rank down 227 116 -49.0 15.6
4 Hong Kong, China Rank up 53 102 92.1 13.8
5 United States Rank down 94 93 -0.8 12.5
6 Canada No change 79 49 -38.3 6.6
7 France Rank up 39 44 14.3 6.0
8 Germany Rank down 139 35 -74.9 4.7
9 Korea, Republic of No change 35 32 -7.8 4.4
10 Singapore No change 51 32 -36.0 4.4
— World — 1,220 740 -39.4 100.0

Note: "World" and the ranking exclude financial centers in the Caribbean.
Source: "World Investment Report 2021" (UNCTAD)

Turning eyes to other major countries and regions, China was the largest investor country at $133 billion, down 2.9% from the previous year. According to UNCTAD, investment activities were particularly robust in countries and regions surrounding One Way One Road, despite tighter investment regulations in the U.S. and other countries. As for the share of global outward FDI by major countries and regions, the top five countries and regions accounted for approximately 80%, manifesting a concentration of investment sources in some areas.

JETRO Invest Japan Report 2021

Introduction

Chapter1. Macroeconomic and Inward/Outward Foreign Direct Investment Trends in the World and Japan

  1. Section1.

    Macroeconomic Trends in the World and Japan

  2. Section2.

    FDI Trends in the World and Japan

Chapter2. Japan's Business Environment and Foreign-Affiliated Companies

  1. Section1.

    Strategy for Promoting FDI in Japan and Japan's Business Environment

  2. Section2.

    Improving the Business Environment in Japan

  3. Section3.

    Evaluation of Japan’s Business Environment by Foreign-Affiliated Companies

Chapter3. JETRO's Efforts to Promote Investment in Japan

  1. Section1.

    JETRO's Track Record of Supporting Foreign Companies

  2. Section2.

    JETRO's Support for FDI in Japan

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