economy
international
Foreign direct investment in the South West (total number of projects and associated jobs)
This data insight describes foreign direct investment (FDI) activity in the South West, using official statistics published by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).The data present trends in the number of inward FDI projects and associated new jobs from 2016/17 to 2024/25, alongside comparisons with other UK regions in the 2024/25 financial year. Data relate to projects landing on a financial year basis and cover only projects that meet DBT’s definitions and reporting criteria.
FDI statistics shown here record the number of FDI projects and estimated jobs created. They do not measure the value of investment, which is published separately by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The South West region is one of 12 International Territorial Level 1 areas (ITL1) in the UK. It comprises Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
55
FDI projects recorded in the South West in 2024 to 2025.
2,517
New jobs associated with South West FDI projects in 2024 to 2025.
8.2%
Share of FDI projects recorded in the South West as a proportion of England excluding London, 2024/25.
8.5%
Share of FDI new jobs recorded in the South West as a proportion of England excluding London, 2024/25.
Number of FDI projects in the South West, 2016/17 to 2024/25
This visualisation shows the number of inward FDI projects recorded in the South West region between the financial years 2016/17 and 2024/25.
The number of FDI projects declined from 101 in 2016/17 to 70 in 2019/20, before increasing to 96 in 2021/22. In 2024/25, 55 FDI projects were recorded in the South West.
Figures are based on projects landing in each financial year and exclude multi-site projects.
Number of new jobs associated with FDI projects in the South West, 2016/17 to 2024/25
This visualisation presents the number of new jobs associated with inward FDI projects in the South West between the financial years 2016/17 and 2024/25.
New jobs from FDI projects ranged from 1,472 in 2019/20 to 3,908 in 2022/23. In 2024/25, FDI projects in the South West were associated with an estimated 2,517 new jobs.
To provide context for year-to-year variation, the average number of new jobs recorded over the latest three financial years (2022/23 to 2024/25) was 2,872.
Job figures are estimates made at the start of each FDI project and represent expected job creation within three years.
Number of FDI projects by UK region, 2024/25
This visualisation compares the number of inward FDI projects recorded across UK regions in the financial year 2024/25.
The South West recorded 55 FDI projects in 2024/25. This represented around 8.2% of FDI projects recorded in England excluding London.
London recorded the highest number of FDI projects overall, with 427 projects. Excluding London, the West Midlands (130 projects) and the North West (127 projects) recorded the highest project counts.
Figures exclude multi-site projects and reflect the region in which projects were recorded.
Number of new jobs associated with FDI projects by UK region, 2024 to 2025
This visualisation shows the estimated number of new jobs associated with inward FDI projects across UK regions in the financial year 2024/25.
The South West recorded 2,517 new jobs associated with FDI projects in 2024/25. This represented around 8.5% of FDI-related new jobs recorded in England excluding London.
London recorded the highest number of FDI-related new jobs overall, with 22,932 jobs. Excluding London, the North West (7,047 jobs) and the West Midlands (5,821 jobs) recorded the highest numbers of new jobs.
Figures exclude multi-site projects and reflect estimates made at the start of each investment project.
