Asia-Pacific FDI levels returned to growth in 2021, with the number of projects coming into the region rising by 17%, according to the Global FDI Annual Report 2022.
The Global FDI Annual Report 2022, produced by GlobalData and Investment Monitor, shows the number of greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects into the Asia-Pacific region grew by 17% in 2021, totalling 3,419. However, this is still well below the level experienced in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
East Asia was the leading Asia-Pacific FDI region in 2021
East Asia recorded the largest number of FDI projects in 2021 on a regional basis in Asia-Pacific. Totalling just over 1,000 projects, the region finished ahead of South-East Asia (908 projects) and South Asia (795). Oceania was the region with the largest annual growth (65%), driven by FDI into Australia. It was also the only Asian region to have received more inward investment projects in 2021 than in 2019. Central Asia saw the largest drop in FDI project volumes in 2021 (compared to 2019), falling by 57%.
