Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 761.14 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
761.14
Change on year
up 6.8%
World rank
119th
of 222 countries
All-time high
1,614
in 2018
All-time low
43.35
in 1990
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sri Lanka, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sri Lanka stood at 761.14.
That represents a change of up 6.8% on the previous year and down 14.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sri Lanka peaked at 1,614 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 43.35, in 1990.
Sri Lanka ranks 119th of 222 countries on this measure, 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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43.35 | — |
| 1991 | 67 | +54.6% |
| 1992 | 122.63 | +83.0% |
| 1993 | 194.49 | +58.6% |
| 1994 | 166.41 | -14.4% |
| 1995 | 65 | -60.9% |
| 1996 | 133 | +104.6% |
| 1997 | 433 | +225.6% |
| 1998 | 150 | -65.4% |
| 1999 | 201 | +34.0% |
| 2000 | 175.13 | -12.9% |
| 2001 | 81.89 | -53.2% |
| 2002 | 192 | +134.5% |
| 2003 | 198.7 | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 223 | +12.2% |
| 2005 | 272 | +22.0% |
| 2006 | 480 | +76.5% |
| 2007 | 603.4 | +25.7% |
| 2008 | 752.2 | +24.7% |
| 2009 | 404 | -46.3% |
| 2010 | 477.6 | +18.2% |
| 2011 | 955.91 | +100.1% |
| 2012 | 941.12 | -1.5% |
| 2013 | 932.55 | -0.9% |
| 2014 | 893.63 | -4.2% |
| 2015 | 679.66 | -23.9% |
| 2016 | 897.05 | +32.0% |
| 2017 | 1,373 | +53.0% |
| 2018 | 1,614 | +17.6% |
| 2019 | 743.47 | -53.9% |
| 2020 | 434.08 | -41.6% |
| 2021 | 592.29 | +36.4% |
| 2022 | 884.15 | +49.3% |
| 2023 | 713.01 | -19.4% |
| 2024 | 761.14 | +6.8% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 761.14 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 926.87, 82% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 761.14 is below the median for South Asia, which is 783.67, 97% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 157.59 | 43.35 | 433 | 10 |
| 2000s | 338.23 | 81.89 | 752.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 950.77 | 477.6 | 1,614 | 10 |
| 2020s | 676.94 | 434.08 | 884.15 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More economy & growth data for Sri Lanka
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP -8.07 Percent per annum (2022)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP -7.82 Percent per annum (2022)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 110.33 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0011 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 5.03 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 761.14 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 6.75 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0076 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 34.73 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 38.34 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sri Lanka?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sri Lanka was 761.14 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 1,614 in 2018.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.35 in 1990.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Sri Lanka ranks 119th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).