Statistical news focuses on the latest figures and trends in Danmarks Nationalbank’s statistics. Statistical news is targeted at people who want quick insight into current financial data.
FDI abroad reached its highest level in 2020
Denmark's foreign direct investments (FDI) abroad (outward) amounted to kr. 1,505 billion. This is shown in Danmarks Nationalbank's annual stock statistics for FDI, which are published today. It is kr. 31 billion more than in 2019. Among other things, the Ørsted Group has made significant investments abroad in 2020.
FDI abroad reached its highest level in 2020
Note: A direct investment is an investment in foreign companies and branches where the investor holds at least 10 per cent of the equity or voting rights in the company. The directional approach has been applied, and Danish pass-through holding companies have been eliminated.
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Denmark's foreign direct investments (FDI) abroad (outward) amounted to kr. 1,505 billion. This is shown in Danmarks Nationalbank's annual stock statistics for FDI, which are published today. It is kr. 31 billion more than in 2019. Among other things, the Ørsted Group has made significant investments abroad in 2020.
FDI in Denmark (inward) amounted to kr. 900 billion at the end of 2020, which is kr. 39 billion more than in 2019.
This is the seventh year in a row with increasing FDI both outward and inward. Thus, the rising trend has continued despite uncertainty and restrictions due to covid-19.
More than half is invested in five countries
In 2020, Denmark had the most direct investments in Sweden (14 per cent), Great Britain (13 per cent), USA (12 per cent), Germany (11 per cent) and the Netherlands (7 per cent). In total, 56 per cent of the direct investments were located in these five countries. Sweden's leading position is partly due to the fact that Carlsberg has significant investments in Russia, which run through Sweden.
Five groups account for almost a third
The five Danish groups with the largest holdings of direct investments abroad at the end of 2020 were Carlsberg, Ørsted, A.P. Møller-Mærsk, Bestseller and Novo Nordisk. Together, they accounted for kr. 475 billion of the direct investments abroad, or 31 per cent. Similarly, few groups account for a large part of the balance of payments surplus. Read more here (link).
Foreign investments through transit countries
Almost half (48 per cent) of the foreign direct investments in Denmark run through transit countries. The Netherlands and Luxembourg are often used as transit countries through holding companies. These may be founded for the purpose of handling intragroup financing, possession of intangible assets such as patents or for tax optimisation reasons.
USA accounted for 26 per cent of the inward investments in Denmark in 2020, when including investments through transit countries. USA was thus the largest ultimate investor.