El Salvador FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
El Salvador's fdi inflows was 2.16% in 2025, ranked 111th globally. This represents a 17.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's fdi inflows stood at 2.16% in 2025, a decline of +0.45% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.16% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 111th globally.
El Salvador’s foreign direct investment inflows have remained modest, standing at US$2.16 billion in 2025, which places the country at 111th in the global ranking. Over the 54‑year series from 1970, the lowest recorded flow occurred in 2010 when net inflows turned negative at –0.61 billion, reflecting a brief outflow of capital amid regional uncertainty. The highest level was reached in 1998 with US$10.08 billion, a peak that coincided with post‑civil‑war reconstruction and generous incentives for multinational firms. Compared with peers of similar rank, Israel recorded US$2.21 billion and Armenia US$2.16 billion in the same year, underscoring that El Salvador’s current inflows are roughly on par with other small open economies. The long‑term trajectory suggests a gradual recovery from the 2010 trough, but sustaining higher inflows will likely depend on policy reforms that improve the investment climate, such as stronger property rights and expanded trade agreements.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.41% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.16% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.16% | −0.45% | #111 |
| 2024 | 2.61% | +0.71% | #87 |
| 2023 | 1.90% | +1.82% | #109 |
| 2022 | 0.08% | −2.67% | #173 |
| 2021 | 2.76% | +1.21% | #104 |
| 2020 | 1.55% | −1.04% | #99 |
| 2019 | 2.59% | +1.00% | #98 |
| 2018 | 1.59% | −0.43% | #130 |
| 2017 | 2.02% | +0.03% | #123 |
| 2016 | 1.98% | −0.13% | #119 |
| 2015 | 2.11% | −0.13% | #113 |
| 2014 | 2.24% | +1.13% | #117 |
| 2013 | 1.11% | −0.90% | #150 |
| 2012 | 2.01% | +1.41% | #132 |
| 2011 | 0.60% | +1.22% | #176 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw fdi inflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's fdi inflows was 2.16% in 2025. Ranked 111th globally. This represents a 17.3% decrease from the previous year.
El Salvador's fdi inflows peaked at 10.08% in 1998.
The lowest fdi inflows in El Salvador was -0.61% in 2010.
El Salvador ranks 111th globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's fdi inflows is projected to reach 2.16% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of El Salvador in 2025 was 2.16%. This ranks 111th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_fdi-inflows,
title = {El Salvador FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}