Mexico climbed six positions in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index compiled by the consultancy Kearney , moving from 25th place last year to 19th in 2026. This advance places it as the second fastest-growing country in the ranking , only behind Singapore, and in fifth place among emerging markets.
During the presentation of the indicator, Gerardo Rocha, managing partner of Kearney Mexico, highlighted that the United States maintains its first-place ranking, followed by Canada and Japan, while China occupies fourth position . For the first time in 13 years, Asia surpasses Europe in participation, with 10 countries included in the ranking compared to nine European countries.
In the exclusive ranking of emerging markets, Mexico ranks fifth, behind China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil . Among the strengths highlighted by investors are the ease of doing business (31%) and the skilled workforce (28%).
Rocha also noted that industrial policy remains a key factor for investors when deciding where to allocate their capital . In fact, 84% of the investors surveyed considered this factor to be “very important” or “extremely important” when making their investment decisions.
“Another issue is which of these industrial policy options are most welcomed by investors, and which are not as positively received. We can see that among those that are much better rated is everything related to infrastructure development. When industrial policy includes infrastructure development, it leads to greater attraction for foreign direct investment,” he noted.
However, he indicated that challenges remain in maintaining competitiveness in key industrial sectors, especially in light manufacturing. To consolidate progress, it will be essential to promote technological innovation, improve regulatory efficiency, and strengthen the domestic economy .
He also noted that among the macroeconomic risks, geopolitical tensions persist (36%) , commodity price increases (30%), and political instability in developed markets (30%).
Rocha also noted that investors demand greater legal certainty and protection of property rights. Public-private partnerships and regional integration, such as the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), will be crucial for securing long-term investments .
Furthermore, the executive noted that the most attractive industries for investment in Mexico are telecommunications, aerospace and defense, transportation, and private goods; he also indicated that the integration of supply chains in North America and the nearshoring trend reinforce its attractiveness in an uncertain global economy.
The report produced by Kearney has been conducted since 1998 and is based on surveys of more than 500 CEOs and directors of the world’s leading companies, all with a turnover exceeding $500 million.
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