NJEDA Releases Second Annual Global Economic Index

On May 22, 2025

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) presented the 2025 New Jersey Global Economic Index, a report that highlights, ranks, and analyzes the sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into New Jersey.

The annual report, which was first released last year, aims to guide and further develop international business relationships with the state. The report lists 42 countries on the Global Economic Index List, which added five new countries from last year, including Malaysia, Thailand, Romania, Iceland and Argentina.

The Global Economic Index indicates that New Jersey, regionally, has the strongest economic relationships with Europe, the Asia Pacific region, and North America. While Europe had the highest number of countries listed as top performers, research found that India ranked first as a global partner with New Jersey, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. The report notes that the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel also hold a high rank as global partners. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region is also an area of opportunity for New Jersey, including Japan and South Korea, which ranked ninth and tenth as global partners, respectively.

“This year’s Global Economic Index underscores how far we’ve come in making New Jersey a top-tier destination for international investment,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “This international engagement is essential to attracting new investment, supporting business expansion, and securing the state’s long-term economic competitiveness.”

Over the past several years, Governor Murphy, the NJEDA and Choose New Jersey have embarked on economic mission trips to India, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Choose New Jersey has opened offices in those countries to foster ties between the Garden State and critical foreign partners. Most recently, the delegation traveled to the Middle East, making stops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Governor Murphy also has plans to lead economic mission trips to Israel, India, and Mexico during his final year in office.

“Throughout my administration, New Jersey has built robust connections with important global partners – from Ireland to the Middle East, and beyond,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “The New Jersey Global Index provides critical insights that sharpen our economic development strategy, enabling New Jersey businesses, agencies, and organizations to seize new global opportunities. This, in turn, will generate jobs, boost the economy, and unlock new opportunities for residents and communities across the state.”

“The Global Economic Index reinforces what we see every day at Choose New Jersey — that international interest in New Jersey is growing and diversifying,” said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “This data-driven report gives us a strategic advantage as we engage with partners abroad, showing where our strengths lie and where new opportunities are emerging. It’s an essential tool for advancing our mission to attract investment and jobs to New Jersey.”

“This report represents a fresh approach to examining our international economic relationships which are critical drivers for job creation in New Jersey,” said NJEDA Director of International Innovation and Partnerships Andrew Gross. “By tracking the sources of global investment into the state, we have gained deeper insights into New Jersey’s international connections and can continue to promote growth in areas where economic engagement has been limited.”

Developed by the NJEDA Office of International Innovation and Partnerships, with support from the Department of Economics and Data Analytics, the 2025 New Jersey Global Economic Index launched at an event hosted in the NJEDA’s Newark office for international diplomats and economic promotion organizations.

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