Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in China
China: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 116,238 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in China, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in China is 116,238, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 28.8% on the previous year and down 9.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in China peaked at 189,132 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 3,487, in 1990.
China ranks 3rd of 222 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 3,487 | — |
| 1991 | 4,366 | +25.2% |
| 1992 | 11,008 | +152.1% |
| 1993 | 27,515 | +150.0% |
| 1994 | 33,766 | +22.7% |
| 1995 | 37,520 | +11.1% |
| 1996 | 41,726 | +11.2% |
| 1997 | 45,257 | +8.5% |
| 1998 | 45,463 | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 40,319 | -11.3% |
| 2000 | 40,715 | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 46,878 | +15.1% |
| 2002 | 52,743 | +12.5% |
| 2003 | 53,505 | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 60,630 | +13.3% |
| 2005 | 72,406 | +19.4% |
| 2006 | 72,715 | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 83,521 | +14.9% |
| 2008 | 108,312 | +29.7% |
| 2009 | 94,061 | -13.2% |
| 2010 | 114,734 | +22.0% |
| 2011 | 123,985 | +8.1% |
| 2012 | 121,073 | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 123,911 | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 128,502 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 135,577 | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 133,711 | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 136,315 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 138,306 | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 141,225 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 149,342 | +5.7% |
| 2021 | 180,957 | +21.2% |
| 2022 | 189,132 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | 163,253 | -13.7% |
| 2024 | 116,238 | -28.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 116,238 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 926.87, 125.4× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- China's 116,238 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 857.11, 135.6× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | +152.1% | 4,366 | 11,008 |
| 1993 | +150.0% | 11,008 | 27,515 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 29,043 | 3,487 | 45,463 | 10 |
| 2000s | 68,548 | 40,715 | 108,312 | 10 |
| 2010s | 129,734 | 114,734 | 141,225 | 10 |
| 2020s | 159,784 | 116,238 | 189,132 | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 United States 278,848 compare
- 2 Singapore 143,352 compare
- 4 Luxembourg 105,987 compare
- 5 Belgium and Luxembourg 88,203 compare
- 6 Canada 64,096 compare
More economy & growth data for China
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.46 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 157.21 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0081 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 111.77 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 79.98 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 87.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0041 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 56.86 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.47 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in China?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in China was 116,238 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 189,132 in 2022.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,487 in 1990.
- How does China rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- China ranks 3rd out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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