In this page: FDI in Figures | What to consider if you invest in Mexico | Protection of Foreign Investment | Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment | Office Real Estate and Land Ownership | Investment Aid | Investment Opportunities | Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer | Finding Assistance For Further Information
Mexico is one of the emerging countries most open to foreign direct investment, the world's eleventh-largest FDI recipient. In 2022, Mexico was the second largest recipient of FDI in Latin America. According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2023, FDI inflows increase by 11.9% to USD 35.3 billion. In the same year, the total stock stood at USD 649.2 billion, equivalent to around 45.9% of the country’s GDP, witnessing an increase in fresh equity investment and reinvested earnings. Net cross-border M&A sales soared to USD 8.2 billion, a significant leap from the less than USD 1 billion recorded in 2021. A notable transaction included Univision Communications (United States) acquiring the media, content, and production assets of Grupo Televisa for USD 4.8 billion. The announced value of greenfield investment more than doubled, reaching USD 41 billion. Tesla (United States) has intentions to invest USD 5 billion in a manufacturing facility in Mexico. According to the latest governmental figures, investments mostly come from the United States (46.7%), Spain (13.7%), Canada (7.4%), Japan (4.6%), and Germany (4.5%). The manufacturing sector holds 47.6% of FDI stock, followed by financial services (14.6%), trade (7.5%), and mining (5.9% - data National Commission of Foreign Investments). Data from the OECD show that, in the first semester of 2023, FDI flows to Mexico totalled USD 29 billion, down from USD 31 billion recorded in the same period one year earlier.
As a member of USMCA, OECD, G20, and the Pacific Alliance, Mexico is very well integrated into the world economic order, making it an attractive country for FDI. Additionally, Mexico enjoys a strategic location, a big domestic market, a wide variety of natural resources, a relatively well-qualified workforce and a diversified economy. However, in recent years, Mexico's competitiveness has suffered from the rise of organised crime and a lack of reforms in the energy sector and in tax regulations. Corruption and administrative inefficiency have also been major issues and the business climate continues to suffer from safety risks in the country. Foreign investments are mostly concentrated in towns neighbouring the U.S. border (where many assembly factories are located), as well as in the capital. Thanks to its robust tourism industry, the Yucatan Peninsula also receives substantial foreign investment. FDI flows to the country fluctuate strongly depending on the arrival and departure of large international groups. The current Mexican FDI framework, primarily governed by La Ley de Inversion Extranjera and its regulations, mandates a pre-approval process for direct and indirect investments by foreign investors obtaining a majority share in Mexican companies engaged in "strategic activities" or holding assets valued around USD 1.1 billion. On December 7, 2023, the U.S. and Mexican governments signed a Memorandum of Intent ("MOI") to collaborate on enhancing foreign investment screening. Both nations have committed to forming a bilateral working group to share information and best practices, aiming to assist Mexico in establishing a CFIUS-like screening system and enhancing the collective security of the United States and Mexico. According to the Economist Business Environment, Mexico ranks 42 out of the 82 countries reviewed for their investment climate. Furthermore, the country ranks 58th among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2023 and 68th out of 184 on the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom.
Foreign Direct Investment | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
FDI Inward Flow (million USD) | 28,195 | 31,543 | 35,292 |
FDI Stock (million USD) | 544,430 | 592,221 | 649,287 |
Number of Greenfield Investments* | 306 | 378 | 482 |
Value of Greenfield Investments (million USD) | 13,941 | 17,167 | 41,042 |
Source: UNCTAD, Latest data available.
Note: * Greenfield Investments are a form of Foreign Direct Investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up.
Main Investing Countries | 2023, in % |
---|---|
United States | 37.8 |
Spain | 10.5 |
Canada | 9.6 |
Japan | 8.1 |
Germany | 6.7 |
Main Invested Sectors | 2023, in % |
---|---|
Manufacturing | 50.1 |
Financial and insurance services | 20.0 |
Mining and quarrying | 9.7 |
Temporary accommodation | 6.8 |
Transport | 6.3 |
Trade | 3.8 |
Professional services | 1.4 |
Source: Centre for Public Finance Studies, Latest data available.
Mexico attracts the most FDI in Central and South America:
There are still many obstacles to investment in Mexico:
The Mexican government has created an open and secure environment for foreign investors. The ‘Invest in Mexico’ Business Center was established in 2022 to facilitate investments. Land grants or discounts, tax deductions, and technology, innovation, and workforce development funding are commonly used incentives.
Other incentives to encourage foreign investment include:
Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors | Mexico | Latin America & Caribbean | United States | Germany |
---|---|---|---|---|
Index of Transaction Transparency* | 8.0 | 4.1 | 7.0 | 5.0 |
Index of Manager’s Responsibility** | 5.0 | 5.2 | 9.0 | 5.0 |
Index of Shareholders’ Power*** | 5.0 | 6.7 | 9.0 | 5.0 |
Source: The World Bank - Doing Business, Latest data available.
For more information, see the text of the the Mexican foreign investment law governing such limitations.
The laws restricting or regulating certain takeovers and mergers are the following:
Special Economic Zones (Zonas Económicas Especiales or ZEEs) are now entirely under state jurisdiction. As of April 2020, there are only two federal ZEE-style projects being developed where fiscal incentives would apply. These are the Trans-Isthmic Interoceanic Corridor and the Chetumal State border area.
The following activities can only be carried out by the Mexican government:
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Latest Update: July 2024