Global FDI falls 11% in 2024 amid mounting uncertainty: UNCTAD
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 11 per cent in 2024 to $1.49 trillion, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows, according to the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Although headline FDI appeared to rise by 4 per cent to $1.5 trillion, the increase was largely due to volatile financial conduit flows through several European economies, which often serve as transfer points for investments, as per the World Investment Report 2025 released by UNCTAD.
Investment dropped sharply across developed economies, particularly in Europe. Developing countries appeared broadly stable, with a marginal 0.2 per cent rise. However, this concealed a deeper crisis, as capital is stagnating or bypassing sectors that matter most—such as infrastructure, energy, and technology.
Global FDI fell 11 per cent to $1.49 trillion in 2024, marking a second year of decline, as per UNCTAD. While Africa saw strong growth due to a large project, Europe's inflows plunged. Investment in key sectors like energy and infrastructure dropped. Digital FDI rose 14 per cent but remained concentrated. UNCTAD urges coordinated reforms to close a $4 trillion sustainable development financing gap.
'Too many economies are being left behind not for a lack of potential—but because the system still sends capital where it's easiest, not where it's needed,' said Rebeca Grynspan, UN Trade and Development secretary-general . 'But we can change that. If we align public and private investment with development goals and build trust into the system, domestic and international markets will bring scale, stability and predictability. And today's volatility can become tomorrow's opportunity.'
Regionally, Africa surged 75 per cent due to a major Egyptian project. Asia retained its top position despite a 3 per cent dip, and Latin America declined by 12 per cent. Among vulnerable groups, FDI rose in least developed countries (9 per cent) and small island states (11 per cent) but fell 10 per cent in landlocked nations.
Investment in development-critical sectors showed worrying signs. International project finance dropped 26 per cent, with renewable energy (-31 per cent), transport (-32 per cent), and water/sanitation (-30 per cent) most affected.
Despite a 14 per cent rise in digital economy FDI—driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and semiconductors—80 per cent of new digital projects were concentrated in just 10 countries, leaving many developing nations behind due to gaps in infrastructure, policy, and skills, added the release.
UNCTAD stressed that bridging the estimated $4 trillion annual financing gap for sustainable development in developing economies requires coordinated reforms and long-term, inclusive capital. It proposed a seven-point agenda focusing on better governance, digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, skill-building, and global digital investment standards.
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