Least developed countries vs Singapore: Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) over time
- Least developed countries
- Singapore
How they compare
Singapore currently reports 26.3% against 2.8% in Least developed countries, a difference of 23.5%.
That makes Singapore's figure about 9.4 times Least developed countries's.
Across all 54 years both countries report, Singapore has been ahead every year.
Least developed countries ranks 8th and Singapore ranks 8th of 47 groups.
Singapore has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Least developed countries | Singapore | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.5% | 6.0% | 5.5% | Singapore |
| 1980s | 0.3% | 9.7% | 9.4% | Singapore |
| 1990s | 1.2% | 12.0% | 10.8% | Singapore |
| 2000s | 2.5% | 16.7% | 14.2% | Singapore |
| 2010s | 2.7% | 22.6% | 19.9% | Singapore |
| 2020s | 2.2% | 26.2% | 24.1% | Singapore |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher foreign direct investment, net inflows, Least developed countries or Singapore?
- Singapore, at 26.3% against 2.8% in Least developed countries as of 2025.
- What is the difference in foreign direct investment, net inflows between Least developed countries and Singapore?
- 23.5%, with Singapore ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and Singapore?
- 54 years are reported by both, from 1972 to 2025.
- How do Least developed countries and Singapore rank globally for foreign direct investment, net inflows?
- Least developed countries ranks 8th and Singapore ranks 8th of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- International Financial Statistics and Balance of Payments databases, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Foreign direct investment is the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest (10 percent or more of voting stock) in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor. It is the sum of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in the balance of payments. This series shows net inflows (new investment inflows less disinvestment) in the reporting economy from foreign investors, and is divided by GDP.