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European location comparison from the Financial Times Group

North Rhine-Westphalia is the most attractive region in Germany and ranks third in Europe behind Paris and Dublin

North Rhine-Westphalia is one of Europe's leading regions for business and investment – this is confirmed by the "European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/2021" ranking of fDi Magazine, a subsidiary of the Financial Times Group. In the location comparison carried out every two years, North Rhine-Westphalia occupies top positions in numerous categories: No. 1 in attracting foreign direct investment, No. 2 among the sustainable "Large" or "Western European Regions" with more than four million inhabitants. In the overall ranking of regions, North Rhine-Westphalia ranks third behind the Paris and Dublin metropolitan areas.

"The outstanding results show the economic strength and great potential of North Rhine-Westphalia in a comparison of the European metropolitan regions. This is also demonstrated by the more than 20,000 foreign companies that have already settled here," said Economics and Digital Affairs Minister Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart. "Both of these factors strengthen us our state's path of renewal in line with our industrial policy model: We want to make North Rhine-Westphalia the world's leading innovation driver and the most modern, climate- and environmentally friendly industrial location."

The positive overall result is completed by the consistently high ratings in the categories "Human Capital and Lifestyle" and "Connectivity" as well as "Economic Potential" and "Business Friendliness". North Rhine-Westphalia's university and research network, its large talent pool of qualified specialists with around 110,000 graduates annually, and its dense transport and logistics infrastructure with international connections are impressive.

The magazine justifies its top ranking for the settlement strategy ("FDI Strategy") with the wide-ranging support that the state provides for international investors. The focus on future topics such as smart manufacturing, e-commerce, start-ups, e-mobility and artificial intelligence also convinced the jurors. "The award for the best FDI strategy is a great confirmation of our many years of work," said Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.INVEST. "North Rhine-Westphalia has achieved excellent rankings for many years – this long-term success once again underlines our role as a leading investment location for foreign companies in Germany and Europe."

About fDi Magazine and "European Cities and Regions of the Future"
The London-based specialist magazine for foreign direct investment, fDi Magazine, is a subsidiary of the Financial Times Group and produces rankings of European regions and cities. A jury of business experts and senior editors evaluate them on the basis of quantitative and qualitative indicators such as economic potential, human capital and quality of life, cost efficiency, infrastructure, business climate, marketing and FDI acquisition strategy and infrastructure regional planning projects.

 

The results for North Rhine-Westphalia at a glance

fDi's Large European Regions of the Future 2020/21 – FDI Strategy

  1. North Rhine-Westphalia
  2. Flanders
  3. Scotland
     

fDi's Large European Regions of the Future 2020/21

  1. Paris Region
  2. North Rhine-Westphalia
  3. Baden-Württemberg
     

fDi's European Regions of the Future 2020/21

  1. Paris Region
  2. Dublin Region
  3. North Rhine-Westphalia
     

fDi's Western European Regions of the Future 2020/21

  1. Paris Region
  2. North Rhine-Westphalia
  3. Baden-Württemberg
     

fDi's Large European Regions of the Future 2020/21 – Human Capital and Lifestyle

  1. South-east England
  2. Paris Region
  3. North Rhine-Westphalia
     

fDi's Large European Regions of the Future 2020/21 – Connectivity

  1. Scotland
  2. East of England
  3. North Rhine-Westphalia