Overview
This section breaks down Canada’s 2020 foreign direct investment (FDI) results in greater detail. It primarily uses reported data from Statistics Canada and FDI activity data, which provides an outlook on future FDI in the country based on announced projects. Global FDI figures produced by UNCTAD and the OECD are highlighted for comparison purposes. The data follows the same approach as the rest of the report.
Our FDI activity data provides more detailed insights on foreign investors’ announced investments, including FDI projects and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The data draws from announcements reported by investors in external sources, such as press releases, and compiled by fDiMarkets and Pitchbook.
Unless otherwise noted, all data is presented in Canadian dollars.
2020 at a glance
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$0.0
billion invested
Toggle Source Source: Statistics Canada
Retrieved: June 21, 2021 -
0
announced FDI investments
Toggle Source Source: fDiMarkets
Retrieved: June 21, 2021 -
0
M&A projects announced
Toggle Source Source: Pitchbook
Retrieved: June 21, 2021 -
0,0
jobs forecasted (excluding M&As)
Toggle Source Source: fDiMarkets
Retrieved: June 21, 2021
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Text version
Numbers that highlight foreign direct investment in Canada in 2020. Source: Statistics Canada, fDiMarkets and Pitchbook
Global perspective
FDI flows 2020 vs. 2019
Developed countries
–0.0%
Developing countries
–0.0%
World
–0.0%
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Text version
Numbers that show global FDI flows in 2020 vs. 2019 worldwide and to developed and developing countries. Source: UNCTAD
Foreign investment inflows as compared to G7 ($US billions)
Toggle Source
Source: UNCTAD World Investment Report 2021, Annex Table 1 (rounded to nearest tenth).
Retrieved: June 23, 2021.
- 2020
- 2019
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Text version
Chart that shows FDI inflows in 2020 vs. 2019 to all G7 countries, including Canada. Source: UNCTAD
Investment into Canada by source country ($ billions)
Toggle Source
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 36-10-0473-01 (rounded to the nearest tenth).
Retrieved: June 21, 2021.
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$32.3 billion
All countries
49.1% growth over 2019 -
$12 billion
United States
–56.7% growth over 2019 -
$3.8 billion
Netherlands
–46.3% growth over 2019 -
$3.6 billion
United Kingdom
65.7% growth over 2019 -
$1.6 billion
France
–20.6% growth over 2019 -
$1.6 billion
Brazil
1.7% growth over 2019 -
$0.9 billion
Cayman Islands
–77.2% growth over 2019 -
$0.8 billion
Germany
76.4% growth over 2019 -
$0.4 billion
China
–60.4% growth over 2019 -
$0.3 billion
Barbados
848.1% growth over 2019 -
$0.2 billion
Mexico
1446.2% growth over 2019 -
–$0.3 billion
Japan
–212.8% growth over 2019 -
–$0.6 billion
Luxembourg
–125.3% growth over 2019 -
–$0.9 billion
Hong Kong
–54.3% growth over 2019 -
–$1.8 billion
Australia
–176.9% growth over 2019 -
–$4.2 billion
Switzerland
–153.5% growth over 2019 -
$15 billion
Other countries
185.6% growth over 2019
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Numbers that show foreign direct investment in Canada by source country in 2020 vs. 2019. Source: Statistics Canada
National view
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Text version
Numbers that show the total announced projects and deals in Canada in 2020 and the total announced investment amount. Source: Statistics Canada, fDiMarkets and Pitchbook
For each dollar of GDP generated in the Canadian economy, Canada attracts nearly US$0.67 of FDI, up from US$0.61 in 2019.
Total value of FDI in Canada: 2010–2020 ($ billions)
Toggle Source
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 36-10-0025-01.
Retrieved: June 21, 2021.
Total FDI inflows
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Text version
Chart that depicts the total value of foreign investment in Canada from 2010‒2020, broken down by year, as well as the 10-year average. Source: Statistics Canada
FDI breakdown by type (reinvestments, M&As and other flows)
Toggle Source
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 36-10-0025-01.
Retrieved: June 21, 2021.
- 2020
- 10 year average
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Text version
Chart that shows the breakdown of FDI by type of investment in Canada in 2020 vs. the 10-year average. Source: Statistics Canada
Future outlook
Global FDI flows are projected to increase between 10% and 15% in 2021 and 15% and 20% in 2022.
Source: UNCTAD World Investment Report 2021
FDI breakdown by industry – year over year comparison ($ billions) Toggle Source Source: Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0026-01: Balance of international payments, flows of Canadian direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in Canada, by North American industry.
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
- 2019
- 2020
- 10 year average
FDI inflows by industry ($ billions)
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Text version
Chart that shows the breakdown of FDI by industry in Canada in 2019, 2020 and the 10-year average. Source: Statistics Canada
Canada has bounced back relatively quickly from the last three major economic downturns, exceeding pre-crisis FDI book value growth within approximately two years following the lowest growth point, or trough, in two of the three crises.
Canada’s recovery from past crises – growth of FDI stock Toggle Source Source: Statistics Canada Table 36-10-0008-01 International investment position, Canadian direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in Canada, by country, annual (x 1,000,000). Retrieved August 9, 2021
- 1990–1992
recession - 2002–2004
SARS-related downturn - 2008–2009
financial crisis
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Text version
Charts that demonstrate how Canada recovered from the 1990s recession, the 2000s SARS-related downturn and the 2008–2009 financial crisis.