Wales has experienced an increase in inward investment projects, though the number of new jobs promised has declined, according to figures from the UK Government’s Department for Business & Trade. In 2025-26, Wales attracted 75 inward investment projects—including first-time investments by overseas firms and expansions by existing companies—compared to 65 in the previous financial year.
Job Creation Figures
The new projects are expected to create 1,617 jobs, a drop from 2,470 jobs promised through foreign direct investment (FDI) in the prior year. However, total new and safeguarded jobs from FDI in Wales reached 5,585, up from 4,122 a year earlier.
UK-Wide Trends
Across the UK, there were 1,020 new inward investment projects in 2025-26, down from 1,375 the previous year. These projects promised 69,166 jobs, slightly lower than 69,355 jobs in the prior period. The United States led as the source of investment, with 239 projects, followed by India (93), France (64), Germany (62), and Ireland (45). London attracted the most projects—326, roughly a third of the UK total—followed by the North West (115), Scotland (94), and Northern Ireland (33). The North East of England had the fewest, with 23 projects.
Welsh Government Response
The Welsh Government, which holds devolved powers to support FDI, will oversee inward investment through a new arm's-length development agency under the Plaid Cymru administration. The agency aims to strengthen links between investors and local supply chains to boost productivity. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “These latest figures show that Wales is punching above its weight. The UK Government is backing the industries of the future in Wales and creating the right conditions to attract yet more investment. This has been a driving motivation behind our new initiative, Brand Wales, which is designed to attract inward investment and promote Wales as a brilliant place to do business.”
Ministerial Comments
Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price added: “Inward investment can play a crucial part in our goal to half the productivity gap with the rest of the UK. It’s encouraging to see Wales bucking the trend as the only part of the UK to see an increase in inward investment projects. But to meet our productivity goal we need to ensure that investment creates resilient and well-paid jobs and contributes to the long-term competitiveness and performance of the Welsh economy. Inward investment should strengthen Welsh firms, deepen supply chains, support priority economic platforms, increase exports, bring technology or management capability into Wales, and help retain more value in the Welsh economy. A new Welsh innovation and development agency will lead our approach to inward investment and make Wales the easiest place in the UK for investors to say yes. Above all, investment must deliver for the people of Wales and lead to higher productivity and shared prosperity.”
The FDI figures also include projects resulting from mergers and acquisitions.
