In 2009, fDi Markets recorded about half the number of manufacturing projects when compared to 2008, showing even the lower-cost regions in eastern Europe are not immune to the global downturn.

Russia, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia saw the number of greenfield manufacturing projects halve from 2008 to 2009, as did France, Germany and Spain.

The UK took the smallest hit, of just 5%, compared to an average fall of the selected countries of 40%. Meanwhile, Sweden reported no decline at all.