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The stock of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland was €1,300bn at the end of 2023, a decrease of 4% on 2022 figures.
FDI in Ireland was 255% of GDP at the end of 2023, approximately four times the EU average.
On an ultimate investor basis, €897bn of the Inward Investment Positions in Ireland originated in the US, accounting for 69% of the total.
Inward investment that ultimately originated in Ireland, or round-tripping, was €100bn, or 8% of the total positions. Round-tripping refers to domestic funds which leave an economy and return back as FDI.
In 2023, 20% of inward FDI positions were pass-through investment which can be defined as foreign multinationals investing in their Irish affiliates which then subsequently invest in another economy.
Greenfield FDI, representing new investment, was €44bn in 2023, mostly in the pharmaceutical sector.
Regional analysis of FDI stocks showed that 71% of inward FDI positions were in the Eastern & Midland region.
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Statistician's Comment
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (19 June 2025) published Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland 2023.
Commenting on the release, Faris Bader, Statistician in the International Accounts Division said:
"This release highlights the relevance of FDI statistics and their role in the Irish economy and complements the FDI annual results series.
The results show that 69% of inward FDI to Ireland in 2023 had an ultimate controlling parent in the United States, and that 65% of inward FDI was concentrated among the top 25 firms. We can also see that pass-through, which can be defined as foreign multinationals investing in their Irish affiliates which then subsequently invest in another economy, made up 20% of inward FDI. Round-tripping, which refers to domestic funds which leave an economy and return back as FDI, amounted to €100bn. This year's release also includes a new chapter on regional FDI analysis. The results show that 71% of inward FDI positions are in the Eastern & Midland region (Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois), 25% are in the Southern region (Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Cork and Kerry) and 4% are in the Northern and Western region (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)."