Historical trend
Trend summary
UK business investment grew 0.3% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2024 and is 7% above its pre-pandemic level in volume terms.
Trend
- Business investment fell sharply in 2020 and has recovered unevenly; it remains below the pre-financial-crisis growth trend.
- The UK investment-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the G7, at around 10% compared with 14–16% in France and Germany.
- Investment in intellectual property has grown faster than machinery and structures since 2015.
Context
- ONS business investment data excludes government investment and dwellings; it covers tangible and intangible assets.
- Quarterly figures are volatile and subject to significant revision.
Commentary contains no editorial judgement — describes direction, magnitude, and official projections only.
G7 comparison
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
77 % GDP
🇯🇵 Japan
24 % GDP
🇫🇷 France
24 % GDP
🇨🇦 Canada
23 % GDP
🇩🇪 Germany
22 % GDP
🇺🇸 United States
21 % GDP
🇮🇹 Italy
21 % GDP