Foreign investment: Meloni beats Berlin, Paris and London

“Italy is confirmed as increasingly attractive for those who choose to invest.” With these words, Giorgia Meloni commented on her social profiles on the data of theEY Attractiveness Survey 2025, which certify a 5 percent growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in our country, in sharp contrast to the general decline affecting the rest of Europe.

A clear picture: 224 new investment projects in Italy in 2024, up from 214 in 2023. A figure that marks a turning point and relaunches Italy in the continental rankings, in seventh place among the most attractive European economies, with an FDI market share that has risen to 4.2 percent.

Italy rises again, Europe retreats

While France (-14 percent), the United Kingdom (-13 percent) and Germany (-17 percent) are seeing declines in foreign investment, Italy is growing. “Stability, seriousness and vision are making a difference,” Meloni wrote. And the data seem to prove her right.

The EY report also points out that 51 percent of companies surveyed plan to invest in Italy in the next 12 months, with significant growth in interest in the digital, chemical-pharmaceutical and financial sectors.

Milan investment capital

Lombardy confirms its centrality, catalyzing 52 percent of all FDI projects. It is followed by Piedmont (11 percent) and Puglia (6 percent), while Lazio, with 9 projects, leads a declining Central Italy. The South remains stable, but Puglia stands out as a virtuous case.

From Washington to Berlin: the investment map is changing

The United States remains the top investor in Italy, but drops from 19 percent to 16 percent market share. FDI from Germany (14 percent), France (13 percent), the United Kingdom (11 percent) and Switzerland (9 percent), on the other hand, is growing, a sign of a re-Europeanization of investment also in response to the new post-Ukraine geopoliticsEY Attractiveness Surve….

Italy also benefits from a global trend: nearshoring and friendshoring, that is, the relocation of activities to countries that are politically and geographically more reliable. The strategic location in the Mediterranean does the rest.

The Meloni line: attract, simplify, grow

According to EY, Italian growth is also the result of a more investment-friendly environment, with regulatory simplifications, administrative reforms and new economic diplomacy. The Meloni government has revived relations with countries such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South America and Central Asia, laying the groundwork for new synergies.

“We will continue to work to make Italy increasingly competitive, safe and dynamic,” Meloni concluded, “to attract investment, create jobs and enhance Italian talent.”

Between challenges and opportunities: next steps

Despite positive signs, EY urges not to let our guard down. Crucial challenges remain: reducing the cost of energy, incentives for innovation and R&D, school reform and digital training. But today, more than ever, Italy returns to the center of the European investment map.

And if the future is measured by confidence, the numbers say the world believes in the Italian revival. Giorgia Meloni knows this. And she relaunches, “Our nation is showing that it can be a credible and authoritative player, even in an uncertain global context.”