Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South America

South America: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 111,471 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
111,471
Change on year
down 18.4%
Rank
13th
of 36 groups
All-time high
163,995
in 2011
All-time low
5,044
in 1990
Years of data
35
1990–2024

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South America, 1990–2024

050.0k100.0k150.0k1990200720241990: 5.0k1991: 5.4k1992: 10.5k1993: 8.0k1994: 15.0k1995: 18.6k1996: 32.6k1997: 49.3k1998: 52.6k1999: 69.6k2000: 57.1k2001: 37.8k2002: 28.0k2003: 22.7k2004: 37.0k2005: 44.1k2006: 43.6k2007: 73.5k2008: 94.4k2009: 60.0k2010: 124.2k2011: 164.0k2012: 163.9k2013: 131.6k2014: 118.9k2015: 106.0k2016: 88.4k2017: 106.1k2018: 106.5k2019: 112.2k2020: 55.9k2021: 95.9k2022: 146.9k2023: 136.5k2024: 111.5k

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South America stood at 111,471.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 18.4% on the previous year and down 6.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South America peaked at 163,995 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 5,044, in 1990.

That places South America 13th out of 36 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South America, year by year

Annual values for Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars) in South America, 1990 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1990 5,044
1991 5,444 +7.9%
1992 10,535 +93.5%
1993 8,047 -23.6%
1994 14,977 +86.1%
1995 18,613 +24.3%
1996 32,578 +75.0%
1997 49,255 +51.2%
1998 52,558 +6.7%
1999 69,644 +32.5%
2000 57,099 -18.0%
2001 37,827 -33.8%
2002 27,986 -26.0%
2003 22,688 -18.9%
2004 37,026 +63.2%
2005 44,080 +19.1%
2006 43,642 -1.0%
2007 73,543 +68.5%
2008 94,391 +28.3%
2009 60,048 -36.4%
2010 124,208 +106.8%
2011 163,995 +32.0%
2012 163,856 -0.1%
2013 131,588 -19.7%
2014 118,931 -9.6%
2015 106,017 -10.9%
2016 88,426 -16.6%
2017 106,133 +20.0%
2018 106,484 +0.3%
2019 112,182 +5.4%
2020 55,896 -50.2%
2021 95,854 +71.5%
2022 146,917 +53.3%
2023 136,538 -7.1%
2024 111,471 -18.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 26,669 5,044 69,644 10
2000s 49,833 22,688 94,391 10
2010s 122,182 88,426 163,995 10
2020s 109,335 55,896 146,917 5

Countries ranked near South America

  1. 10 Australia 53,454 compare
  2. 11 Egypt 46,578 compare
  3. 12 United Arab Emirates 45,632 compare
  4. 13 Mexico 36,872 compare
  5. 14 Cayman Islands 35,902 compare
  6. 15 France 33,736 compare
  7. 16 Spain 30,543 compare

See the full ranking of 258 places →

More economy & growth data for South America

All data for South America →

Frequently asked questions

What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South America?
Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South America was 111,471 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in South America?
The highest recorded value was 163,995 in 2011.
What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in South America?
The lowest recorded value was 5,044 in 1990.
How does South America rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
South America ranks 13th out of 36 groups with data for 2024.
Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in South America?
Over the last ten years it is down 6.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South America 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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Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South America. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/stat/foreign-direct-investment-fdi-inflows-millions-of-united-states-dollars/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
258 places, 8,418 data points, 1990–2024
Last refreshed