Scotland Attracts Record Share of Planned UK Foreign Investment

Scotland recorded 108 inward investment projects in 2025, equal to 13.8 percent of all UK foreign direct investment projects. The share is down from 15.8 percent the previous year but remains above the ten-year average of 11.6 percent. Fifty-one of the projects were new, while 57 were expansions of existing operations.

Over the past decade, Scotland has secured an estimated 52,144 jobs from foreign direct investment, representing 12.2 percent of the UK total.

Edinburgh led Scottish cities with 30 projects, a 25 percent increase from 24 projects in 2024 and second place among UK cities outside London. Glasgow recorded 23 projects, placing fourth outside London, while Aberdeen fell to eleventh place with five projects.

The Scottish Government stated that the results confirm Scotland as the UK’s top foreign direct investment destination outside London for the eleventh consecutive year. A senior Scottish official said the figures demonstrate continued strength despite a 20 percent drop in Scottish projects and a 23 percent decline in UK projects excluding London.

EY Scotland managing partner Sue Dawe said investor sentiment toward Scotland remains very positive and that the country is viewed as the most attractive UK destination outside London. The firm noted that one third of companies planning UK investment now intend to choose Scotland, an all-time high.