Ireland attracted 2.5% of all foreign direct investment in the European Union in 2000 and 3.2% in 1999. More significantly American investment was $7.4 billion, up from $4.6 billion the previous year. In per capita terms, Ireland receives the highest level of American and foreign direct investment in the European Union at about $2,000 per head and over three times the amount received by the Netherlands. There are now more than 300 American companies established and giving valuable employment in Ireland.