El Salvador FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
El Salvador's fdi outflows was -0.25% in 2025, ranked 151st globally. This represents a 131.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's fdi outflows stood at -0.25% in 2025, a decline of +1.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.25% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 151st globally.
El Salvador’s foreign‑direct investment (FDI) outflows have been volatile over the 28‑year series, moving from a modest positive balance of 0.08 in 1996 to a pronounced negative position of –0.25 in 2025, ranking 151st globally. The apex of inflow‑to‑outflow conversion occurred in 2020 when outflows peaked at 1.54, while the deepest reversal was recorded in 2018 with a trough of –1.59. Compared with peers of similar ranking, El Salvador’s 2025 outflow slightly exceeds that of Suriname (–0.10) and is marginally lower than St. Vincent and the Grenadines (–0.26), indicating a relative weakness in retaining foreign capital. The swing from a positive balance in the mid‑1990s to persistent deficits reflects both domestic policy shifts and external economic pressures. If structural reforms improve the investment climate and diversify export markets, the negative outflow trend could moderate, potentially restoring a modest net inflow in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -0.86% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -0.56% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.25% | −1.07% | #151 |
| 2024 | 0.81% | +0.95% | #110 |
| 2023 | -0.13% | +0.23% | #22 |
| 2022 | -0.37% | −1.84% | #20 |
| 2021 | 1.47% | −0.07% | #127 |
| 2020 | 1.54% | +1.31% | #147 |
| 2019 | 0.23% | +1.81% | #68 |
| 2018 | -1.59% | −0.05% | #10 |
| 2017 | -1.54% | −2.09% | #5 |
| 2016 | 0.54% | +0.13% | #87 |
| 2015 | 0.42% | −0.47% | #80 |
| 2014 | 0.88% | +0.58% | #108 |
| 2013 | 0.30% | +0.47% | #65 |
| 2012 | -0.17% | +0.31% | #18 |
| 2011 | -0.47% | −1.08% | #12 |
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 outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's fdi outflows was -0.25% in 2025. Ranked 151st globally. This represents a 131.0% decrease from the previous year.
El Salvador's fdi outflows peaked at 1.54% in 2020.
The lowest fdi outflows in El Salvador was -1.59% in 2018.
El Salvador ranks 151st globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's fdi outflows is projected to reach -0.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of El Salvador in 2025 was -0.25%. This ranks 151st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_fdi-outflows,
title = {El Salvador FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}