International Investment in a Turbulent Era2026World Investment ReportUNI T E D NAT I O NS CO NFE R E N C E ON T R A D E A N D D E VE L OP M E N TUNI T E D NAT I O NS CO NFE R E N C E ON T R A D E A N D D E VE L OP M E N TGeneva, 2026
ii© 2026, United Nations All rights reserved worldwideRequests to reproduce excerpts or to photocopy should be addressed to the Copyright Clearance Center at copyright.com.All other queries on rights and licences, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to: United Nations Publications405 East 42nd StreetNew York, New York 10017United States of AmericaEmail: publications@un.orgWebsite: https://shop.un.orgThe designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.Mention of any frm or licensed process does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations.This publication has been edited externally.United Nations publication issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentUNCTAD/WIR/2026ISBN: 978-92-1-154998-0eISBN: 978-92-1-159943-5 ePub ISBN: 978-92-1-154999-7ISSN: 1020-2218eISSN: 2225-1677 Sales No. E.26.II.D.18
World Investment Report 2026International Investment in a Turbulent EraiiiPrefaceOur world has entered a period of profound turbulence – refected in seismic shifts in the global investment landscape.In 2025, global foreign direct investment rose by 6 per cent to reach $1.6 trillion. But this growth masks underlying fragility and disparities across countries, regions and sectors.Investment expansion was driven largely by a small number of megaprojects, particularly infrastructure related to artifcial intelligence. Across most sectors, new project activity is subdued, refecting heightened investor uncertainty amid geopolitical tensions, trade policy volatility, the rising cost of capital and intensifying technological competition.At the same time, global investment is being reshaped by fault lines in international cooperation and rising economic security concerns. In response, governments are focusing on a narrow set of strategic sectors, while frms are redesigning supply chains along regional and geopolitical lines.The opportunities — and risks — are many. Developing economies may break into new high-growth industries, including clean energy and advanced manufacturing, but investment could become concentrated, leaving many behind.Monitoring by UNCTAD shows that governments are becoming increasingly active in shaping investment fows, with new investment policy measures reaching a record high in 2025. Among those measures are strong support for strategic sectors, industrial upgrading, digital transformation and the green transi...