Investment worldwide experienced a prosperous period during 2015. UN data shows that global flows of foreign direct investment rose 38 percent in 2015, reaching U.S.$ 2.76 trillion. That was the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development said the rise in FDI was mainly because of a surge in cross border mergers and acquisitions. But it is expected that global FDI will decrease 10 to 15 percent in 2016. The report says that's mostly because of the slow global economy, weak demand, and sluggish growth in some commodity exporting countries.

Zhan Xiaoning, director of investment and enterprise, UNCTAD, said,"We think the global FDI will decline this year. Along with a gradual recovery in the world economy, the global FDI may show a recovery increase in 2017 to 2018, and reach 1.8 trillion dollars by 2018, which will be close to the level before the financial crisis."

FDI flows to developed economies jumped 84 percent in 2015, with strong growth in flows to Europe and the United States. Developing economies also saw an increase in FDI as it reached U.S.$ 760 billion. That was 9 percent higher than in 2014. The majority of that part of FDI was concentrated in Asia.

China has become one of the most popular investment destinations, with a FDI inflow that expanded 6 percent in 2015.