UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship: Indicator With Leading Country Scorecard
The World Investment Report 2025 and the subsequent January 2026 Global Investment Trends Monitor paint a picture of a global economy in transition. While headline Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose by 14% in 2025 to reach $1.6 trillion, the recovery remains fragile and highly concentrated. This scorecard identifies the leading economies and groups across 284 specialized indicators, highlighting a significant pivot toward digital infrastructure (notably data centers), renewable energy, and critical minerals, even as traditional international project finance faces its fourth consecutive year of decline.
UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship: Indicator With Leading Country Scorecard (2025/2026)
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 1 | FDI Inward Flow | United States |
| 2 | FDI Outward Flow | China |
| 3 | Greenfield Projects (by Value) | United States |
| 4 | Greenfield Projects (by Number) | India |
| 5 | International Project Finance (IPF) | ASEAN Region |
| 6 | Cross-border M&As (Value) | European Union |
| 7 | FDI Inward Stock | United States |
| 8 | FDI Outward Stock | United States |
| 9 | Digital Economy Greenfield Projects | France |
| 10 | Semiconductor Project Investment | United States |
| 11 | Data Center Investment (Value) | France |
| 12 | Renewable Energy Project Finance | Brazil |
| 13 | FDI Inflows (Developing Region) | South-East Asia (ASEAN) |
| 14 | FDI Inflows (LDCs) | Ethiopia |
| 15 | FDI Inflows (LLDCs) | Kazakhstan |
| 16 | FDI Inflows (SIDS) | Bahamas |
| 17 | Infrastructure Projects (SDG) | Developing Asia |
| 18 | Agrifood Systems Investment | Africa (Region) |
| 19 | Health and Education Investment | Developing Asia |
| 20 | Inward FDI Performance Index | Singapore |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 21 | FDI Share in Gross Capital Formation | Africa (Regional Average) |
| 22 | Digitally Deliverable Services Exports | Developed Economies |
| 23 | South-South FDI Flows | Developing Asia (Intra-regional) |
| 24 | Inward FDI to Transition Economies | Uzbekistan / Kazakhstan |
| 25 | Announced Greenfield Projects (Automotive/EV) | Brazil / Mexico |
| 26 | GVC-intensive Industry Investment | Southeast Asia |
| 27 | Extractive Industries Investment (Greenfield) | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| 28 | Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Projects | Middle East |
| 29 | Investment in Health & Education (SDG) | Developing Asia |
| 30 | Water and Sanitation (WASH) Projects | Latin America |
| 31 | FDI Inflow to Lower-Income Economies | Vietnam / Ethiopia |
| 32 | Outward FDI from Emerging Multinationals | China / Republic of Korea |
| 33 | Regional Investment Facilitation Agreements | African Union (AfCFTA context) |
| 34 | High-Income Economy FDI Growth Rate | European Union (+56% in 2025) |
| 35 | Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Performance | China / UAE |
| 36 | Critical Mineral Project Values | Australia / Chile / DRC |
| 37 | Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) Reach | Brazil (ApexBrasil) |
| 38 | Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Activity | G20 Economies |
| 39 | Net Cross-border M&A Sales (Sellers) | United States / United Kingdom |
| 40 | SDG Investment Deficit | Least Developed Countries (LDCs) |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 41 | Number of New Investment Policy Measures | European Union |
| 42 | Investment Measures Favourable to Investors | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| 43 | FDI Screening Mechanism Intensity | Developed Economies (G20) |
| 44 | International Investment Agreements (IIAs) | G20 Economies |
| 45 | Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Cases | Developing Countries (as Respondents) |
| 46 | National Security-related Investment Restrictions | North America / Europe |
| 47 | Investment Incentives (Financial/Fiscal) | Developed Economies |
| 48 | Sustainable Finance Product Growth | Global Capital Markets |
| 49 | Carbon Intensity of Foreign Affiliates | Developed Economies (Declining) |
| 50 | Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) per Capita | Developed Economies |
| 51 | Share of Global Merchandise Exports | Developing Economies (46% in 2025) |
| 52 | Services Export Growth Rate | Developing Asia |
| 53 | Digitally Deliverable Services (Share of Trade) | Developed Economies |
| 54 | Research & Development (R&D) Intensity | Leading Tech Hubs (US, China, Korea) |
| 55 | Mobile Broadband Affordability | Developed Economies |
| 56 | Fixed Broadband Affordability Gap | LDCs (Highest Cost Group) |
| 57 | Trade-related Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) | Commodity-Dependent Economies |
| 58 | Debt Service to Export Ratio | Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) |
| 59 | Climate Adaptation Investment | Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
| 60 | Non-Financial South-South Cooperation | Brazil, India, South Africa |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 61 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) | China |
| 62 | Container Port Performance Index | East Asian Ports |
| 63 | Port Calls by Vessel Type | China / Singapore |
| 64 | Merchant Fleet Ownership (by Value) | Greece / China / Japan |
| 65 | Ship Scrapping and Recycling Activity | Bangladesh / India |
| 66 | Average Age of Merchant Fleet | Developed Economies (Youngest) |
| 67 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Shipping | Major Flag States (Panama/Liberia) |
| 68 | Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation | Developed Economies |
| 69 | Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) Incidence | G20 Economies |
| 70 | Export Concentration Index (Product) | Commodity-Dependent Nations |
| 71 | Market Concentration Index (Partner) | Landlocked Developing Countries |
| 72 | Female Share of Employment in Exporting Firms | Southeast Asia / Central America |
| 73 | Sustainability Reporting Rates (Large Firms) | European Union |
| 74 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Participation Rate | Vietnam / Mexico |
| 75 | Domestic Value Added in Exports | China / United States |
| 76 | Biodiversity-based Product Trade | Brazil / Indonesia |
| 77 | Ocean Economy Investment (Blue Economy) | Small Island Developing States |
| 78 | E-commerce Readiness Index | Developed Economies |
| 79 | Aid for Trade (Disbursements) | Least Developed Countries (Recipients) |
| 80 | South-South Trade Intensity | Intra-Asian Trade |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 81 | Critical Mineral Export Value | Africa / Oceania |
| 82 | Critical Mineral Import Concentration | Developing Asia |
| 83 | Trade-weighted Average Applied Tariff | Global Average (6.7% in 2025) |
| 84 | Discriminatory Trade Policy Measures | G20 Economies |
| 85 | Liberalizing Trade Policy Measures | Developing Economies |
| 86 | Bilateral Flow Growth (GVC-linked) | United States ↔ Viet Nam |
| 87 | Bilateral Flow Decline (GVC-linked) | China ↔ United States |
| 88 | Services Share of Global Trade | Global Average (27% in 2025) |
| 89 | Fertilizer Price Index | Global Markets |
| 90 | Food Import Dependency Ratio | Net Food-Importing Developing Countries |
| 91 | Terms of Trade Improvement (Rate) | Least Developed Countries (LDCs) |
| 92 | Real GDP Growth Projection (2026) | Developing Economies (4.2%) |
| 93 | Manufacturing Tariff Escalation | Developed Economies |
| 94 | Export Concentration Index (Market) | LDCs (Highest concentration) |
| 95 | Export Concentration Index (Product) | LDCs (Highest concentration) |
| 96 | Share of South-South Non-Financial Cooperation | Brazil / India / South Africa |
| 97 | Ton-Mile Growth (Maritime) | Global Shipping (Due to Red Sea rerouting) |
| 98 | Digital Services Export Growth Rate | Developing Asia |
| 99 | Public Debt-to-GDP Ratio | Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) |
| 100 | Trade-related Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) | Commodity-Dependent Economies |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 101 | Container Port Throughput (TEUs) | China (Ports of Shanghai/Ningbo) |
| 102 | Average Ship Turnaround Time | Developed Economies (Fastest) |
| 103 | Port Connectivity Growth Rate | Southeast Asia (ASEAN) |
| 104 | Share of Alternative Fuel Vessels (Orderbook) | European Owners / Norway |
| 105 | Maritime Decarbonization Investment | Developed Economies |
| 106 | Seafarer Supply (Global Share) | Philippines / Indonesia |
| 107 | Women’s Participation in Maritime Sector | Developed Economies (Targeted) |
| 108 | Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) from Trade | Commodity-Dependent Nations |
| 109 | Public Debt-to-Revenue Ratio | SIDS / LDCs |
| 110 | Share of Global GDP (PPP) | Developing Economies (Exceeds 50%) |
| 111 | Inward FDI to GDP Ratio | Singapore / Hong Kong, China |
| 112 | Manufacturing Value Added (Growth Rate) | India / Viet Nam |
| 113 | Export Complexity Index (ECI) | Japan / Germany / Switzerland |
| 114 | Research & Development (R&D) Intensity | Republic of Korea / United States |
| 115 | ICT Services Export Growth | Developing Asia |
| 116 | Mobile Money Penetration | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 117 | Government Debt Service (as % of Budget) | Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) |
| 118 | Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) | Least Developed Countries (Recipients) |
| 119 | Intra-Regional Trade Share (AfCFTA) | African Union (Targeting 25%+) |
| 120 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Integration Index | Southeast Asia |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 121 | Foreign Affiliate Employment | China / United States (Top Hosts) |
| 122 | Tax Contribution of Foreign Affiliates | Developed Economies |
| 123 | Commodity Dependence (Export Share) | Sub-Saharan Africa (85% of countries) |
| 124 | Food Import Bill Growth Rate | Net Food-Importing Developing Countries |
| 125 | Agricultural Raw Materials Trade Balance | Latin America / Oceania |
| 126 | Fuel Export Concentration Index | Western Asia (Middle East) |
| 127 | External Debt Stocks (Total) | Developing Economies ($11+ Trillion) |
| 128 | Debt Service-to-Export Ratio | Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) |
| 129 | Remittance Inflows (as % of GDP) | Tajikistan / Kyrgyzstan / Gambia |
| 130 | Official Development Assistance (ODA) per Capita | Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
| 131 | Intellectual Property (IP) Receipts | United States / Japan / Germany |
| 132 | High-Technology Export Share | East Asia (China, Rep. of Korea) |
| 133 | Creative Goods Export Growth | Developing Asia |
| 134 | Gender Gap in Tech-Related FDI | Global (Indicator of concern) |
| 135 | Digital Connectivity Affordability Index | Developed Economies |
| 136 | Carbon Intensity of Manufacturing Exports | Developing Economies (Decreasing) |
| 137 | Renewable Energy Share in Industrial Use | Brazil / Northern Europe |
| 138 | Trade-Related Climate Adaptation Funding | LDCs (Recipients) |
| 139 | FDI in Environmental Goods & Services | European Union / China |
| 140 | Productive Capacities Index (PCI) Score | Denmark / United States / Singapore |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 141 | Manufacturing Complexity Score | Japan / Germany |
| 142 | Energy Intensity of GDP | Developed Economies (Lowest Intensity) |
| 143 | Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 | France / Rep. of Korea |
| 144 | Internet Server Security Index | Developed Economies |
| 145 | Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) | Republic of Korea |
| 146 | Researchers in R&D (per million inhabitants) | Denmark / Finland |
| 147 | Structural Change Index (Labor Productivity) | China / Viet Nam |
| 148 | Diversification of Export Basket | United States / Germany |
| 149 | Private Sector Credit (% of GDP) | United States / China |
| 150 | Time Required to Start a Business | Singapore / New Zealand |
| 151 | Cost to Export/Import (Logistics) | Singapore |
| 152 | Rule of Law & Regulatory Quality Index | Northern Europe |
| 153 | Political Stability and Absence of Violence | Northern Europe / Oceania |
| 154 | Natural Capital Rent (% of GDP) | Middle East / Australia |
| 155 | Material Intensity of Economy | LDCs (Highest Intensity/Dependence) |
| 156 | Port Management Performance Score | East Asian Hubs |
| 157 | Digital Skills Among Active Population | Developed Economies |
| 158 | Share of High-Skill Employment in Exports | Developed Economies |
| 159 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Upgrading Index | Viet Nam / India |
| 160 | Overall Productive Capacities Index (PCI) | Denmark / United States / Singapore |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 161 | Trade-related Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) | Commodity-Dependent Countries |
| 162 | Share of Non-Financial South-South Cooperation | Brazil / India / South Africa |
| 163 | Critical Mineral Import Concentration Ratio | Developing Asia |
| 164 | Critical Mineral Export Value | Africa / Oceania |
| 165 | Commodity Price Index (All Food) | Global Markets |
| 166 | Commodity Price Index (Fuels) | Western Asia |
| 167 | Commodity Price Index (Minerals, Ores, Metals) | Australia / Chile |
| 168 | Fertilizer Price Index (Urea/DAP) | Global Markets |
| 169 | Digitally Deliverable Services (Growth Rate) | Developing Asia |
| 170 | Services Share of Total Global Trade | Developed Economies |
| 171 | South-to-South Merchandise Export Index | Emerging Economies |
| 172 | Trade-Restricting Policy Measures (New) | G20 Economies |
| 173 | Trade-Liberalizing Policy Measures (New) | Developing Economies |
| 174 | Maritime "Ton-Mile" Growth Rate | Global Shipping Sector |
| 175 | Global Shipping Network Anchor Index | East Asian Hubs |
| 176 | Average Cost of Mobile Broadband (% GNI) | Developed Economies (Lowest) |
| 177 | Fixed Broadband Affordability Gap | LDCs (Highest Gap) |
| 178 | Disaster-related Direct Economic Loss (% GDP) | SIDS / LDCs |
| 179 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International Shipping | Major Flag States |
| 180 | Inclusive Growth Index Score | Northern Europe |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 181 | Share of Greenfield Investment in AI | United States / China |
| 182 | Critical Mineral Trade Value (Energy Transition) | Chile / Australia / DRC |
| 183 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Concentration Risk | High-Tech Sector (Semiconductors) |
| 184 | Export Revenue from Information Services | India / Ireland / United States |
| 185 | Mobile Broadband Cost as % of GNI | Developed Economies (Lowest) |
| 186 | 5G Network Population Coverage | Developed Economies (90%+) |
| 187 | Port Throughput of Alternative Fuel Cargo | Rotterdam / Singapore / Antwerp |
| 188 | Merchant Fleet Average Carbon Intensity | Northern Europe (Lowest) |
| 189 | Share of Women Seafarers (Growth Rate) | Philippines / Developed Economies |
| 190 | Maritime Ton-Mile Growth (Distance Impact) | Global Average (+5.9% in 2025) |
| 191 | Intra-ASEAN Investment Growth | Southeast Asia |
| 192 | Investment in Near-shoring Destinations | Mexico / Viet Nam / Poland |
| 193 | Bilateral Investment in "Friendly" Economies | G7 Economies (Friend-shoring) |
| 194 | FDI in Waste Management & Circular Economy | European Union |
| 195 | Ratio of Debt Service to Health/Education Spend | LDCs (Indicator of concern) |
| 196 | Share of South-South E-commerce Trade | Developing Asia |
| 197 | Investment Policy Transparency Index | Developed Economies |
| 198 | National Security FDI Screenings (Quantity) | United States / EU Member States |
| 199 | Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) Flow | LDCs (Recipients) |
| 200 | SDG Investment Progress Scorecard | Global Average (Off-track for 2030) |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 201 | Digitally Ordered Trade (E-commerce) | China / United States |
| 202 | Share of ICT Services in Total Services Exports | India / Ireland |
| 203 | Research and Development Intensity in ICT | Republic of Korea / Taiwan Province of China |
| 204 | Gender Gap in Digital Skills | LDCs (Highest Gap) |
| 205 | Proportion of Population Covered by 5G | Developed Economies |
| 206 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Domestic Value Added | China / United States |
| 207 | Trade-to-GDP Ratio | Singapore / Hong Kong, China |
| 208 | Export Market Penetration Index | Developed Economies |
| 209 | Import Dependency on Strategic Goods | Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
| 210 | Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Trade | LDCs (Recipients) |
| 211 | Debt Service as Percentage of Government Revenue | Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) |
| 212 | Inward FDI Performance Index | Singapore |
| 213 | Outward FDI Performance Index | Japan / China |
| 214 | Proportion of Renewable Energy in Industrial Mix | Northern Europe / Brazil |
| 215 | Carbon Footprint of International Trade | Developed Economies (Declining) |
| 216 | Circular Economy Investment Flows | European Union |
| 217 | Blue Economy Project Finance | SIDS / Coastal Africa |
| 218 | Maritime Single Window Implementation Rate | Developed Economies |
| 219 | Port Community System (PCS) Adoption | East Asian Hubs |
| 220 | Productive Capacities Index (Overall Score) | Denmark / United States |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 221 | Investment in Semiconductor Fabrication (Value) | United States / Republic of Korea |
| 222 | Greenfield Investment in Green Hydrogen | Egypt / Chile / Australia |
| 223 | Share of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Export Basket | China / Germany |
| 224 | Critical Minerals Import Concentration Ratio | Developing Asia |
| 225 | Critical Minerals Export Value (Transition Energy) | Africa / Oceania |
| 226 | Maritime Ton-Mile Growth (Distance Impact) | Global Average (+5.9% in 2025) |
| 227 | Average Voyage Distance (Nautical Miles) | Global (Increased due to rerouting) |
| 228 | Seafarer Supply (Growth Rate) | Philippines / Indonesia |
| 229 | Alternative Fuel Vessels on Orderbook (% Tonnage) | European Owners (Lead) |
| 230 | Port Connectivity Index Growth Rate | Southeast Asia (ASEAN) |
| 231 | Digital Services Export Concentration | Developed Economies (Top 10 = 80%) |
| 232 | Trade-related Climate Adaptation Funding | LDCs (Recipients) |
| 233 | Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Minerals Sector | Commodity-Dependent Countries |
| 234 | Number of New National Investment Laws | Global (Focus on Security Screening) |
| 235 | Sustainable Finance Product Growth Rate | Global Capital Markets |
| 236 | Foreign Affiliate Sales as % of Global GDP | Global Average (~25%) |
| 237 | Domestic Value Added in Tech Exports | Viet Nam / Mexico (Rising) |
| 238 | Intra-Regional Trade Share (AfCFTA context) | African Union |
| 239 | Digital Economy Project Value Concentration | Top 10 Hosts (80% share) |
| 240 | Total SDG Investment Gap (Annual) | Developing Economies ($4 Trillion) |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 241 | Inward FDI Performance Index (Relative to GDP) | Singapore / Malta |
| 242 | Outward FDI Performance Index | Japan / Republic of Korea |
| 243 | Share of Greenfield Investment in AI Infrastructure | United States / China |
| 244 | Global Value Chain (GVC) Participation Rate | Vietnam / Mexico |
| 245 | Domestic Value Added in Foreign Affiliate Exports | China |
| 246 | Investment in "Friend-shoring" Locations | G7-aligned Economies |
| 247 | Foreign Affiliate Sales as % of Global GDP | Global (Steady at ~25%) |
| 248 | Tax Contribution of Multinational Enterprises | Developed Economies |
| 249 | Growth in Investment Screening Mechanisms | G20 Economies |
| 250 | Number of Active International Investment Agreements | Germany / China |
| 251 | Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Claims | Developing Countries (as Respondents) |
| 252 | Sustainable Finance Disclosure Rates | European Union |
| 253 | Green Bond Issuance for Infrastructure | Brazil / China |
| 254 | Proportion of Population with High Digital Skills | Northern Europe |
| 255 | Gender Parity in STEM-related FDI Projects | Developing Asia (Highest Growth) |
| 256 | Maritime Single Window Implementation Score | Developed Economies |
| 257 | Port Throughput of Strategic Raw Materials | Australia / Brazil / DRC |
| 258 | Share of Global Trade in Local Currencies | BRICS+ Economies |
| 259 | Debt-to-Export Ratio (Debt Sustainability) | LDCs / HIPC Group |
| 260 | Overall SDG Investment Progress Score | Global (Significantly Off-track) |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 261 | Investment in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) | China / United States |
| 262 | Share of High-Technology Manufacturing in FDI | Republic of Korea / Viet Nam |
| 263 | Greenfield Investment in Circular Economy Projects | European Union |
| 264 | International Project Finance for Water & Sanitation | Developing Asia |
| 265 | Investment in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure | SIDS / Northern Europe |
| 266 | Export Share of Environmental Goods | China / Germany |
| 267 | Digital Investment Policy Coverage | G20 Economies |
| 268 | Number of Data Center Project Announcements | United States / France |
| 269 | Cross-border Investment in E-commerce Logistics | Southeast Asia (ASEAN) |
| 270 | Share of Renewable Energy in Maritime Port Operations | Norway / Singapore |
| # | Indicator Name | Leading Economy / Group |
| 271 | Average Age of National Merchant Fleet | Developed Economies (Youngest) |
| 272 | Maritime Freight Rate Volatility Index | Global Routes (High in 2025/26) |
| 273 | Revenue from International ICT Consulting | India / Ireland |
| 274 | Ratio of R&D to Foreign Affiliate Sales | United States / Switzerland |
| 275 | FDI Inflows to Structural Transformation Sectors | Viet Nam / Ethiopia |
| 276 | Number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) | China / India / Philippines |
| 277 | Efficiency Score of SEZ-related Exports | UAE / China |
| 278 | Impact of Discriminatory Trade Measures on FDI | G20 Economies (Increasing) |
| 279 | Share of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Investment | European Union / United States |
| 280 | Digital Trade Policy Harmonization Index | ASEAN / European Union |
| 281 | Investment in Urban Mass Transit (FDI/IPF) | Developing Asia |
| 282 | Growth of "Off-Grid" Renewable Energy Projects | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 283 | Cross-border Patent Licensing Revenue | United States / Japan |
| 284 | Transparency in Extractive Industry Contracts | Norway / Colombia |
Strategic Objectives of the UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship
The primary objective of the UNCTAD World Investment Report (WIR) and its associated indicator scorecards is to systematize the tracking of global capital to provide a data-driven compass for policymakers and investors. By monitoring these metrics, UNCTAD seeks to quantify the qualitative impact of investment on sustainable development.
The core objectives serve to:
Delineate global capital shifts, specifically the transition from traditional manufacturing toward the "Digital Economy" and green transition sectors.
Benchmark productive capacity, evaluating how effectively developing nations can absorb investment to foster long-term industrial strength.
Evaluate policy efficacy by tracking the rise of national security-related investment screenings versus liberalizing measures.
Address the SDG investment gap, which remains at an annual $4 trillion deficit for developing economies.
Organizations and Entities Involved in the UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship
The World Investment Report (WIR) is the preeminent publication of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Its production is an massive intergovernmental and inter-agency effort, involving a complex network of public and private stakeholders to ensure the data is both authoritative and globally representative.
The primary entities involved include:
1. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
As the lead organization, UNCTAD’s Division on Investment and Enterprise is responsible for the overall research, analysis, and drafting of the report.
Secretary-General of UNCTAD: Provides the high-level vision and executive leadership (currently Rebeca Grynspan).
Division on Investment and Enterprise: A dedicated team of economists and researchers (led in 2026 by Nan Li Collins) who manage the data collection and thematic chapters.
2. Host Governments and Ministerial Partners
The flagship report and its associated World Investment Forum (WIF) are often supported by specific host nations that facilitate high-level policy dialogue.
State of Qatar: Announced as the host for the 9th World Investment Forum in 2026, acting as a central hub for action-oriented investment discussions.
Ministry of State for Foreign Trade Affairs (Qatar): A key institutional partner in aligning the 2026 report with global investment summits in Doha.
3. International and Intergovernmental Organizations
UNCTAD collaborates with other major bodies to harmonize data and cross-reference policy impacts:
The United Nations System: Coordination with the UN Secretary-General’s Office and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
The World Bank and IMF: Provide critical macroeconomic data and debt sustainability metrics.
OECD & World Trade Organization (WTO): Collaborate on investment policy trends, digital trade rules, and FDI screening data.
International Labour Organization (ILO): Provides data on the social and employment impacts of foreign investment.
4. Specialized Financial & Research Partners
Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) & MDBs: Entities like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the African Development Bank contribute insights on project finance and the SDG investment gap.
Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative: Works with UNCTAD on capital market transparency and ESG disclosure indicators.
Academic and Peer Review Groups: A global network of experts from institutions such as Vienna University of Economics and Business and various international law firms participate in peer-reviewing the report's findings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship
The following FAQ addresses the most common inquiries regarding the 2025/2026 investment landscape, based on the World Investment Report 2025 and the January 2026 Global Investment Trends Monitor.
1. What is the current status of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)? Global FDI rose by 14% in 2025 to reach $1.6 trillion, following a marginal increase in 2024. However, this recovery is "fragile." Much of the growth was driven by financial conduit flows through global hubs rather than new productive "greenfield" projects.
2. Why is there a "disconnect" between headline FDI and sustainable development? While total investment value is up, investment in sectors critical to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—such as renewable energy, water, and sanitation—actually declined. International project finance, the primary vehicle for large-scale infrastructure, fell by 16% in 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year of decline.
3. Which sectors are currently attracting the most investment? The "Digital Economy" is the primary engine of growth. In 2025, data centers alone captured more than one-fifth of all global greenfield investment. Other high-growth areas include AI technologies and semiconductor manufacturing.
4. How is the "Regional Divide" changing in 2026? Investment is becoming more concentrated. In 2025, FDI to developed economies surged by 43%, while flows to developing economies declined by 2%. Specifically, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain sidelined, receiving only a tiny fraction of global capital.
5. What are "Friend-shoring" and "Near-shoring," and are they impacting data? Yes. These trends are now measurable. Bilateral investment flows are increasingly aligning with geopolitical partnerships. For example, investment between the United States and Viet Nam or the EU and United States has grown significantly, while flows involving China have seen a notable slowdown as firms seek to diversify supply chains.
6. What is the "SDG Investment Gap"? UNCTAD estimates a $4 trillion annual deficit in the investment required for developing countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The gap is most acute in infrastructure, climate adaptation, and agrifood systems.
7. When and where is the next major global investment event? The 9th World Investment Forum (WIF) will be held in Doha, Qatar, from October 25 to 27, 2026. The theme is "Investing in the Future," with a focus on aligning capital with long-term resilience and digital transformation.
Glossary of Terms: UNCTAD World Investment Report Flagship
| Term | Definition |
| Alternative Fuel Vessels | Ships engineered to operate on low-carbon energy sources (e.g., Green Ammonia, LNG, Hydrogen) to drive maritime decarbonization. |
| Blue Economy | Economic activities related to oceans and seas that prioritize long-term ecosystem health alongside sustainable growth and job creation. |
| Circular Economy | An industrial model that replaces "end-of-life" concepts with restoration, shifting toward renewable energy and the elimination of waste through superior design. |
| Critical Minerals | Raw materials (e.g., Lithium, Cobalt, Copper) essential for the energy transition and high-tech manufacturing, often characterized by high supply risk. |
| Digital Ordered Trade | Transactions for the sale or purchase of goods or services conducted over computer networks (E-commerce), regardless of delivery method. |
| Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) | Long-term investment by a resident entity in one economy in an enterprise resident in an economy other than that of the investor. |
| Greenfield Investment | A form of FDI where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from scratch. |
| Global Value Chain (GVC) | The fragmented international production process where different stages of manufacturing occur across multiple countries. |
| IIAs (Investment Agreements) | Treaties between states for the protection, promotion, and liberalization of cross-border investments (e.g., BITs and TIPs). |
| IPF (Project Finance) | The financing of long-term infrastructure and industrial projects based on the projected cash flows of the project rather than the balance sheets of its sponsors. |
| Maritime Single Window | A centralized digital platform for the electronic submission of standardized information required for ship arrival, stay, and departure. |
| Near-shoring | The strategic relocation of business processes or manufacturing to a lower-cost country in close geographical proximity to the home market. |
| Productive Capacities Index (PCI) | UNCTAD’s metric for measuring a country's ability to produce goods and services, based on factors like human capital, energy, and ICTs. |
| SDG Investment Gap | The estimated annual deficit (currently $4 trillion) between current funding and the capital required to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Special Economic Zone (SEZ) | Geographically delimited areas with specific fiscal and regulatory incentives designed to attract FDI and boost exports. |
| Ton-Mile | A unit of measure representing the movement of one ton of freight over one mile; used to track global shipping demand and efficiency. |