South Korea Foreign Direct Investment
Net inflows of foreign direct investment, current US dollars.
Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea increased to 15.80 USD billion in 2025 from 12.86 USD billion in 2024.
South Korea Foreign Direct Investment — History
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South Korea Foreign Direct Investment — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea increased to 15.80 USD billion in 2025 from 12.86 USD billion in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was $12.86B, so the latest figure is $2.94B higher.
Over the past five years the average was $18.96B, with a range from $12.86B to $25.04B. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1970 and has 56 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 91% of all of them.
The highest value on record is $25.04B (2022) and the lowest is $0.00B (1974). The long-run average is $6.13B.
Compared with other countries
Among 202 economies with recent data, South Korea ranks 28th from the top. The median across all these economies is $0.87B, so South Korea is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 16th.
Within East Asia & Pacific (33 economies with data) it ranks 10th; the regional median is $1.07B.
Statistics
- Latest
- $15.80B2025
- Previous
- $12.86B
- 5-year average
- $18.96B
- Long-run average
- $6.13Bsince 1970
- All-time high
- $25.04B2022
- All-time low
- $0.00B1974
- Observations
- 56Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15.80B | ▲ +2.94 |
| 2024 | $12.86B | ▼ −6.18 |
| 2023 | $19.04B | ▼ −6.00 |
| 2022 | $25.04B | ▲ +2.98 |
| 2021 | $22.06B | ▲ +13.30 |
| 2020 | $8.76B | ▼ −0.87 |
| 2019 | $9.63B | ▼ −2.55 |
| 2018 | $12.18B | ▼ −5.73 |
| 2017 | $17.91B | ▲ +5.81 |
| 2016 | $12.10B | ▲ +8.00 |
| 2015 | $4.10B | ▼ −5.17 |
| 2014 | $9.27B | ▼ −3.49 |
| 2013 | $12.77B | ▲ +3.27 |
| 2012 | $9.50B | ▼ −0.28 |
| 2011 | $9.77B | ▲ +0.28 |
| 2010 | $9.50B | ▲ +0.48 |
| 2009 | $9.02B | ▼ −2.17 |
| 2008 | $11.19B | ▲ +2.36 |
| 2007 | $8.83B | ▼ −0.34 |
| 2006 | $9.16B | ▼ −4.48 |
| 2005 | $13.64B | ▲ +0.35 |
| 2004 | $13.29B | ▲ +6.28 |
| 2003 | $7.01B | ▲ +1.53 |
| 2002 | $5.48B | ▼ −1.05 |
| 2001 | $6.52B | ▼ −4.99 |
| 2000 | $11.51B | ▲ +0.78 |
| 1999 | $10.73B | ▲ +4.74 |
| 1998 | $5.99B | ▲ +2.69 |
| 1997 | $3.30B | ▲ +0.52 |
| 1996 | $2.78B |
Foreign Direct Investment — South Korea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Korea highlighted.
More South Korea indicators
Understanding Foreign Direct Investment — a simple guide
What it measures
Net inflows of foreign direct investment — long-term investment by foreign companies in local businesses — in current US dollars.
How it is calculated
New long-term investment by foreign companies (factories, stakes of 10% or more) in the country, net, in US dollars.
A foreign carmaker building a plant counts as FDI.
High FDI brings capital, technology and jobs.
Low FDI may reflect weaker investor interest or one-off factors.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
FDI is considered a stable source of external financing and brings technology and capital.
How to read it
Annual figures can be lumpy because of single large deals.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD), annual data from 1970 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current foreign direct investment of South Korea?
What is the highest and lowest foreign direct investment of South Korea?
What does foreign direct investment measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.