Share of German investments abroad 1961-1990, by region

In the early 20^th century, German foreign investment was generally directed towards obtaining raw materials and agricultural goods. Therefore the majority of foreign investment went to developing countries where these materials were more plentiful and affordable. As the world became more globalized and integrated in the late-1900s, multinational companies invested more into other developed economies, and the share of investment going into the developing world shrunk. In 1961, only 23 percent of German foreign investment was in the EU or U.S., but by 1990, this share had increased to 62 percent. The share of German money being invested into developing countries also dropped from 46 to 18 percent in these years.