The US states of California, New York and Texas, and the Canadian province of Ontario accounted for one-third of all FDI investment into North America in 2011.

With capital expenditure increasing by nearly 50% in 2011, the UK has retained its position as the leading European destination for FDI.

Figures from 2011 show that Brazil is by far the most attractive location for inward FDI in the Latin America and Caribbean, but with Argentina recording the largest growth in the year, it is facing increasingly tough competition.

Figures show that renewable energy was the fastest growing sector for FDI in 2011, while the number of projects in the coal, oil and natural gas sector declined.

While FDI numbers increased in the Middle East and Africa in 2011, capital investment was down slightly and job creation only showed a slight rise.

Countries including India, Indonesia, Pakistan and South Korea experienced significant growth in FDI in 2011, but both Japan and Thailand suffered on the back of natural disasters.