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In this chapter we look at the distribution of FDI stocks across Ireland. This analysis is based on data from the Business Register, from which it uses the addresses of FDI companies to estimate the distribution of FDI stocks across regions in the country. In using data from the Business Register, we are presenting data for the amount of FDI stocks attributed to each company as a proxy for the distribution of FDI in each region. In some cases, this may result in an overestimate for large urban areas and an underestimate for other areas as FDI stocks are typically associated with head offices.
This analysis presents inward and outward FDI stocks by region, as well as breakdowns of inward FDI stocks by immediate counterparty geography, ultimate counterparty geography and economic sector. Due to the highly concentrated distribution of FDI in Ireland among a small number of very large firms, statistical disclosure controls limit the level of granularity that it is possible to publish. As well as the level of granularity for which it was possible to publish inward FDI stocks by region, this particularly affected FDI transactions and income by region and outward FDI stocks by counterparty and economic sector. It was therefore not possible to publish these breakdowns.
Figure 6.1 shows inward FDI stocks by region. Eastern and Midland has the highest proportion of inward FDI stocks, at 71%, followed by Southern at 25%. Northern and Western had the lowest proportion, at 4%.
| Inward FDI Positions | |
| Eastern & Midland | 924.04169026535 |
| Southern | 324.142267968806 |
| Northern & Western | 51.7527075478443 |
Source Publications: Foreign Direct Investment Annual 2023
Figure 6.2 shows outward FDI stocks by region, where there is a similar distribution to inward FDI stocks, skewed more towards Eastern and Midland. This is reflective of the impact of redomiciled PLCs on outward FDI, many of which are located in Dublin. Eastern and Midland has the highest proportion of outward FDI stocks, at 84%, followed by Southern at 13%. Northern and Western had the lowest proportion, at 3%.
| Outward FDI Positions | |
| Eastern & Midland | 1053.19198929597 |
| Southern | 163.840090109095 |
| Northern & Western | 31.2847455269349 |
Source Publications: Foreign Direct Investment Annual 2023
Figure 6.3 shows a breakdown of inward FDI stocks by region and immediate partner country geography. For Eastern and Midland, 36% of inward FDI stocks are with the United States, and 64% are with other countries. For Southern, 57% of inward FDI stocks are with the United States, and 43% are with other countries. For Northern and Western, 5% of inward FDI stocks are with the United States, and 95% are with other countries. It is important to note the differences when viewing investment using the two disparate presentations discussed in the Ultimate Investment chapter of this publication: immediate partner country investment and ultimate controlling parent investment. The immediate investor with respect to FDI refers to the foreign firm that is investing directly into the domestic firm, while the ultimate investor or ultimate controlling parent is the firm that has the final controlling power over the immediate investor.
| United States | Other | |
| Eastern & Midland | 328.74109711642 | 595.387547396521 |
| Southern | 183.083529542368 | 140.929257382822 |
| Northern & Western | 2.4612486452124 | 49.3339856977206 |
Source Publications: Foreign Direct Investment Annual 2023
Figure 6.4 illustrates the difference between the two presentations. The breakdown of inward FDI stocks by region and ultimate controlling parent geography highlights the FDI investment that originated from the United States but entered Ireland from different countries. For Eastern and Midland, the United States share of inward FDI stocks increases from 36% to 63%, while for Southern, the United States share increases from 57% to 82%. For Northern and Western, the United States share of inward FDI increases to 100%. As referenced at the start of this chapter, there is likely some inward FDI in Northern and Western that does not have an ultimate controlling parent in the United States but is accruing to head offices in other urban areas.
| United States | Other | |
| Eastern & Midland | 578.771843894598 | 343.29075754734 |
| Southern | 266.264742774571 | 59.3012223313602 |
| Northern & Western | 52.3080992338307 | 0 |
Source Publications: Foreign Direct Investment Annual 2023
Figure 6.5 shows a breakdown of inward FDI stocks by region and economic sector. The graphs shows that the services sector received the greater share of inward FDI stocks in Eastern and Midland at 76%, while the manufacturing sector received the greater share of inward FDI stocks in Southern at 55%. In Northern and Western, the manufacturing sector received 94% of inward FDI stocks.
| Services | Manufacturing | |
| Eastern & Midland | 706.279835963712 | 219.838948382635 |
| Southern | 142.625665253956 | 175.696365424 |
| Northern & Western | 3.30780628569664 | 51.9740445355 |
Source Publications: Foreign Direct Investment Annual 2023
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