Direct investment in Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea: Direct investment was 836.28 billion US dollar in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Direct investment in Republic of Korea, 1994–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund. Measured in US dollar.
Analysis
Republic of Korea recorded 836.28 billion US dollar for direct investment in 2025. That is the highest value across all 32 years on record.
The figure is up 8.7% on the previous year and up 192.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct investment in Republic of Korea peaked at 836.28 billion US dollar in 2025 and was at its lowest, 9.72 billion US dollar, in 1994.
Republic of Korea ranks 18th of 164 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Direct investment in Republic of Korea, year by year
| Year | US dollar | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 9.72 billion US dollar | — |
| 1995 | 13.28 billion US dollar | +36.6% |
| 1996 | 17.62 billion US dollar | +32.7% |
| 1997 | 19.55 billion US dollar | +10.9% |
| 1998 | 19.09 billion US dollar | -2.4% |
| 1999 | 19.19 billion US dollar | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 21.50 billion US dollar | +12.0% |
| 2001 | 19.97 billion US dollar | -7.1% |
| 2002 | 20.73 billion US dollar | +3.8% |
| 2003 | 24.99 billion US dollar | +20.5% |
| 2004 | 32.17 billion US dollar | +28.7% |
| 2005 | 38.68 billion US dollar | +20.3% |
| 2006 | 49.19 billion US dollar | +27.2% |
| 2007 | 74.78 billion US dollar | +52.0% |
| 2008 | 97.95 billion US dollar | +31.0% |
| 2009 | 121.28 billion US dollar | +23.8% |
| 2010 | 144.03 billion US dollar | +18.8% |
| 2011 | 172.41 billion US dollar | +19.7% |
| 2012 | 202.88 billion US dollar | +17.7% |
| 2013 | 238.81 billion US dollar | +17.7% |
| 2014 | 260.50 billion US dollar | +9.1% |
| 2015 | 285.93 billion US dollar | +9.8% |
| 2016 | 310.22 billion US dollar | +8.5% |
| 2017 | 360.57 billion US dollar | +16.2% |
| 2018 | 405.22 billion US dollar | +12.4% |
| 2019 | 456.00 billion US dollar | +12.5% |
| 2020 | 515.40 billion US dollar | +13.0% |
| 2021 | 605.08 billion US dollar | +17.4% |
| 2022 | 689.16 billion US dollar | +13.9% |
| 2023 | 737.35 billion US dollar | +7.0% |
| 2024 | 769.49 billion US dollar | +4.4% |
| 2025 | 836.28 billion US dollar | +8.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16.41 billion US dollar | 9.72 billion US dollar | 19.55 billion US dollar | 6 |
| 2000s | 50.12 billion US dollar | 19.97 billion US dollar | 121.28 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2010s | 283.66 billion US dollar | 144.03 billion US dollar | 456.00 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2020s | 692.12 billion US dollar | 515.40 billion US dollar | 836.28 billion US dollar | 6 |
Countries ranked near Republic of Korea
More economy & growth data for Republic of Korea
- GNI, Atlas method (current US$), annual growth rate 2.94 % change on previous year (2025)
- GNI, Atlas method (current US$), per unit of GDP 1.05 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- GNI, Atlas method (current US$), per capita 37,884 current US$ per person (2025)
- GNI (current US$), annual growth rate 0.1093 % change on previous year (2025)
- GNI (current US$), per unit of GDP 1.02 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- GNI (current US$), per capita 36,849 current US$ per person (2025)
- GNI (current LCU), annual growth rate 4.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- GNI (current LCU), per unit of GDP 1,447 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- GNI (current LCU), per capita 52.42 million current LCU per person (2025)
- Net primary income (Net income from abroad) (current US$), annual 18.84 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct investment in Republic of Korea?
- Direct investment in Republic of Korea was 836.28 billion US dollar in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest direct investment recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 836.28 billion US dollar in 2025.
- What is the lowest direct investment recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.72 billion US dollar in 1994.
- How does Republic of Korea rank for direct investment?
- Republic of Korea ranks 18th out of 164 countries with data for 2025.
- Is direct investment rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 192.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Direct investment (Assets, Positions, US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 32 observations, free to reuse under IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
The International Investment Position (IIP) is a statistical statement that shows at a point in time the value of financial assets of residents of an economy that are claims on nonresidents or are gold bullion held as reserve assets; and the liabilities of residents of an economy to nonresidents.