How Scotland has become a strong and established investment choice

The US remains the leading origin of inward investment into Scotland, higher than the percentage of projects for the UK, as US represented 29.5% of the projects for Scotland, followed by 24% for the UK. A similar picture is displayed by Germany, Canada, Denmark and France — with higher investment into Scotland than into the UK as a whole. One other standout was Spain, with the 12 projects recorded being the highest secured in the last decade into Scotland.

Business service projects were the leading activity for Scottish FDI, as the country secured 55 projects, representing 27% of the Scottish FDI projects in 2021, followed by manufacturing projects at 35. This shows a welcome return to growth for manufacturing (which includes investment into utility production sites) as Scotland recorded their highest total number of projects in this area for the past decade, with an increase of 106% from 2020. Scotland was impressive in comparison against the UK’s performance, as it secured 24.1% of all UK manufacturing investment projects.

In 2021, the top four leading sectors generating inward investments into Scotland were digital technology (33 projects), utility supply (18 projects), business services (14 projects), and machinery and equipment (14 projects). The standout success story was with the markedly high increase of digital projects as it rose by 73.6% in 2021, contrasting against a 7% fall for Europe and only a 7% increase in the UK overall from 2020. This also puts Scotland in second place in terms of the top location of digital projects, behind London. In general, Scotland has shown to be particularly strong in the areas of future growth and high investor potential, which lays foundations as a long-term destination of high FDI attractiveness.

Scotland’s FDI performance in 2021 showcases another strong year — from record increases of projects and market share within UK, to abundant employment prospects. The annual study of overseas investors’ perceptions of the UK, countries and regions further stabilises this positive view, as 15.8% of the investors now rate Scotland as the UK’s most attractive FDI location. This is Scotland’s highest ever result, increasing from the 15% recorded in 2021, widening the gap from the rest of the UK and chasing London for first place.

The ‘levelling up’ agenda appears to be reflected in the investor’s receptiveness of investing in other parts of the UK outside London. In the last three years, London’s score has fallen from 46% (nearly half) to 26.9%, whereas Scotland’s score has more than doubled — from 7% to 15.8% as it stands. If the Government support is available, it appears investors would be more than willing to invest in other UK regions outside the capital, with 59% stating their consideration. 

As a whole, the UK’s attractiveness as an investment destination over the next three years is positive, with 49% of the investors stating the UK will be even more attractive, which enhances Scotland’s future prospects for investment as well.

Our perception survey also shows that 58% of the investors in our UK survey are intending to invest in the UK in the coming 12 months — up from the 41% recorded in 2021. This is the highest level of investor intention ever recorded and is also above the investment intentions for Europe at 53%. The positive message shows a sharp rise of investor confidence into UK when compared with the pre-COVID-19 levels of 21% in 2020 and 23% in 2019.

One other important finding gathered from the perception survey was with the themes likely to drive investors’ investment decisions following the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability and climate change came in top place, followed by deglobalisation and the changing model of city centres to round up the top three. These main priorities put Scotland in a very strong position to capitalise on growth opportunities, as we have shown clear intentions with our sustainability strategy — including the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) being hosted in Glasgow — with equally great stories to tell in the other areas.

Scotland has also proven to be strong in some of the fastest growing sectors, as when asked in the survey, investors placed digital, health, real estate and cleantech as the top four sectors where they saw the most future potential for UK FDI. Digital, health and cleantech are all within Scotland’s top six high performing sectors, with Scotland leading the way in two of these areas — particularly with digital — within UK. 

Summary

Scotland can look forward with confidence as it, once again, increases its share of FDI projects in 2021 and its relative FDI attractiveness in the UK reaches a new record high. The country’s share of FDI projects is also rising compared with Europe and the rest of the UK, with opportunities to increase the share even more. Scotland has shown its strengths in key business areas and fast-growing sectors, painting an optimistic picture for the years ahead.