Foreign investment to Europe doubles in 2011
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Foreign direct investment into the 27-member European Union area more than doubled in 2011 to €225 billion (£181.4 billion) from €104 billion in 2010.
Outflows from the European Union also doubled to €370 billion in 2011, having previously fallen to €146 billion in 2010.
The latest figures from Eurostat – the European Union’s statistical office – reveals half of investments from the rest of the world into the European Union came from the US in 2011, making a €115 billion investment. Switzerland invested €34 billion, while offshore financial centres also put in €16 billion.
Eurostat also revealed that investment in all its major partners had increased during 2011, with the exception of Russia.
Other Bric countries received investment with Brazil receiving €28 billion, China €18 billion and India €12 billion. (article continues below)
The US was the biggest beneficiary receiving €111 billion, offshore financial centres €59 billion and Switzerland €32 billion.
Luxembourg was the biggest investor outside of the EU27 area, making investments worth €110 billion, and recieving the most with €86 billion being channeled back into the country.
According to Eurostat, Luxembourg’s role in foreign direct investment flows is explained by the importance of its financial intermediation activity.
The UK was the second largest investor, having invested €89 billion outside of the European Union, recouping €14 billion. It was the largest net investor outside of the European Union.
Germany and France invested €34 billion and €21 billion, repectively, while Spain invested €19 billion outside of the European Union.
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