OECD: Global foreign direct investments increased in the first half of the year

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released foreign direct investment data for the first half of 2026. Accordingly, while global investments rose by 45 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, they declined by 26 percent in the second quarter; however, the total amount reached $1 trillion 198 billion on average for the January-June period.

Direct foreign investments increased in the first half of the year in approximately two-thirds of OECD economies and many developing economies. This increase was largely driven by the rise in equity investments and, to a more limited extent, activity in intra-company loans. Meanwhile, foreign direct investments directed towards OECD countries rose by 67 percent in the first half of the year.

The US led this growth, and investment inflows into the US reached a 10-year high in the second quarter of 2026. On the other hand, the OECD reported that the outlook for investments for the remainder of the year remains uncertain due to geopolitical tensions, pressures on production input costs, and changing trade policies.