Worldwide foreign direct investment (FDI) grew in the first half of 2026, though deal counts and project announcements continued dropping, said the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
According to the Global Investment Trends Monitor by UNCTAD, global FDI rose 37% compared with the 2025 half-year average, driven chiefly by developed economies.
UNCTAD highlighted that higher headline values stemmed from major transactions and financial movements rather than broad-based recovery.
Values for cross-border mergers and acquisitions climbed 57% to $494bn during the first nine months of 2026, while transaction volumes dropped 23%.
Greenfield announcements contracted 15%, and international project finance agreements fell 11%.
Inflows to developed economies rose over 70% in the first half, supported by financial conduits in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, alongside US inflows that nearly doubled.
Artificial intelligence sectors formed over 40% of US greenfield value, featuring a $76.5bn expansion by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Developing markets recorded an 8% inflow rise, yet greenfield announcements fell by more than one-fifth, and Sustainable Development Goals projects dropped over 25%.
Developing economies saw renewable energy project finance slide roughly by one-third—compared with a 4% decline in developed nations—and data centre greenfield pledges decrease by $32bn.
Global manufacturing project numbers decreased 5%, including a 10% fall in developing economies, which UNCTAD identified as a more reliable indicator than values.
Middle Eastern conflict further restricted activity, reducing West Asian greenfield pledges by 52% in the first half compared with the same period in 2025.
Outward project finance from Gulf Cooperation Council investors more than halved in the second quarter, while domestic funding more than tripled, driven by Emaar's nearly $55bn urban district.
Worldwide, tourism projects fell 28%, and transport and storage declined 22%.
The findings coincide with the World Investment Forum 2026, taking place in Doha, Qatar, from 25 to 27 October.
Under the theme “Investing in the future”, more than 5,000 participants from governments, businesses, international organisations, and other sectors are exploring new opportunities for investment-led development.
