Netherlands becomes lead recipient of U.S. Foreign Investment in 2008

Growth of 13 percent over previous year   

The Netherlands passed the UK to become the leading recipient of U.S. foreign investment in 2008, with the US position in the Netherlands gaining 13 percent over 2007.

In 2008, the Netherlands received $442.9 billion in U.S. direct foreign investment, or 14 percent of the total. In the Netherlands, most of the position increase was accounted for by holding companies, which may have invested the funds in other countries or industries. The UK received $420.9 billion (13 percent), and Canada’s position was $227.3 billion (7 percent).

As in previous years, three host countries - the Netherlands, the UK and Canada - account for more than a third of the total U.S. investments.

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 3 August 2009