Foreign direct investment plays an extremely important role in developed but also in underdeveloped economic systems. It can be seen as a generator of economic development, aimed at long-term sustainability if it is based on stimulating domestic savings and investment. The positive effects of FDI are: higher investment, higher rates of productivity growth, employment and economic growth, improvement of external trade balance, technology transfer and knowledge transfer, easier placement of products on the international market etc. This paper focuses on foreign direct investments in the Republic of Croatia, which were considered from the aspect of the reference period, countries of origin and activity in accordance with the National Classification of Activities of 2007. The aims of this paper are multifaceted, and it is important to emphasize the necessity of considering the literature dealing with the issue under consideration in determining the importance of foreign direct investment in the development of modern economic systems. It is stated in the function of applying the acquired knowledge and creating the basis for conducting further research aimed at determining the importance of foreign direct investment in the Republic of Croatia, especially when it comes to stimulating foreign direct investment in Slavonia and Baranja.