Direct investment abroad - quarterly data, % of GDP

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a category of investment that reflects the objective of establishing a lasting interest by a resident enterprise in one economy (direct investor) in an enterprise (direct investment enterprise) that is resident in an economy other than that of the direct investor. The lasting interest implies the existence of a long-term relationship between the direct investor and the direct investment enterprise and a significant degree of influence on the management of the enterprise. The lasting interest is deemed to exist if the investor acquires at least 10% of the voting power of the direct investment enterprise. Data are expressed as % of GDP to remove the effect of differences in the size of the economies of the reporting countries. FDI comprises: - Equity capital comprises equity in branches as well as all shares in subsidiaries and associates. - Reinvested earnings consist of the offsetting entry to the direct investor’s share of earnings not distributed as dividends by subsidiaries or associates, and earnings of branches not remitted to the direct investor and which are recorded under Investment income. - debt instruments Direct investment is classified primarily on a directional basis: 1) Resident direct investment abroad (Outward direct investment) 2) Non-resident investment in the reporting economy (Inward direct investment). The Inward direct investment is investment by a non-resident direct investor in a direct investment enterprise resident in the host economy; the direction of the influence by the direct investor is inward for the reporting economy. Starting from October 2014 definitions are based on the IMF's Sixth Balance of Payments Manual (BPM6).