Why Invest in the United States
Discover why the United States is the top investment destination
There is no shortage of reasons why business investors choose the United States – from the business-friendly environment and quality of life considerations to specific technology, supply chain, infrastructure and workforce factors. The nation’s diversity and openness are what truly allow businesses from all countries and industries to find their place in the market – and thrive.
First Choice for Investors
Businesses investing in the United States, regardless of industry, gain competitive advantages from one of the most open markets on the planet.
World’s Largest Market
The United States offers the largest consumer market on earth with a GDP of $20 trillion and 325 million people. Household spending is the highest in the world, accounting for nearly a third of global household consumption. At the same time, free trade agreements with 20 other countries provide enhanced access to hundreds of millions of additional consumers – and the United States continues to work with companies to increase opportunities for U.S. exporters.
ExploreNexus of Innovation
The United States is a recognized leader in research and development (R&D), and registers more international patents than any other country. Today’s innovators are safeguarded by a robust intellectual property protection framework, while the innovators of tomorrow are nurtured at leading universities and incubators across the nation. Companies of all sizes help make innovation in the United States a global enterprise, benefiting from – and contributing to – a flourishing ecosystem for invention and inspiration.
ExploreEase of Doing Business
The United States is consistently ranked among the best internationally for its overall competitiveness and ease of doing business. Backed by a regulatory environment that is particularly conducive to starting and operating a business, U.S. business culture encourages free enterprise and competition. As a stable democracy with a transparent and predictable legal system, all companies – regardless of national origin – compete on an even playing field.
ExploreWorkforce Talent
The U.S. workforce is diverse, skilled, innovative and mobile – and U.S. workers are among the most productive in the world. Looking to the future, the United States has prioritized collaborative mechanisms with public and private-sector organizations to ensure that the workforce is able to meet the needs of a 21st century economy.
Abundant Resources
As the third largest nation by geography, the United States is home to vast and varied landscapes with abundant natural resources – including petroleum and natural gas. These diverse regions are connected by an expansive infrastructure network and services that help companies efficiently produce and move their products.
ExploreAccess to Capital
The United States hosts the most developed, liquid, flexible, and efficient financial markets in the world. A wide range of funding sources – from banks and investment firms to venture capitalists and angel investors – enable innovation and expansion, giving companies in the United States an important advantage.
ExploreInvesting in the U.S.A.
See what others are saying about investing in the United States.
FDI Confidence Index
A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index (May 2019)
For the seventh year in a row, the United States topped the A.T. Kearney FDI Index. With continued global economic growth and an increasing focus on localization, non-U.S. companies continued to report a higher likelihood of locating their next investment in the United States than in any other markets, and expressed optimism about the nation’s macroeconomic outlook.
Ease of Doing Business
Doing Business (2019)
The United States ranks in the top ten overall for ease of doing business, and is number one among the nations with populations over 100 million. The Doing Business project, produced by the World Bank, provides objective measures of business regulations for local firms in 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational level.
The U.S. federal government offers a range of services and programs for companies that operate in the United States – from general workforce development and energy efficiency grants to industry-specific incentives. State, territorial, and local governments are often the primary source of specific assistance to help business investors get new ventures off the ground or expand their existing operations.
Federal Programs Database
Want to learn more about federal business programs and incentives? Browse this database of programs from U.S. government agencies designed to support businesses in the United States.
ExploreState Economic Development Organizations
Interested in learning about different regions? Explore the assistance offered by state and territorial economic development organizations directly at the source.
ExploreState Business Incentives Database
Interested in conveniently searching state and territorial incentives? Browse this database developed by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).