Malaysia FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Malaysia's fdi inflows was 3.66% in 2025, ranked 76th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's fdi inflows stood at 3.66% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.66% by 2025. Malaysia ranked 76th globally.
Malaysia’s foreign direct investment inflows have risen modestly to US$3.66 billion in 2025, placing the country 76th in the world and keeping it within a narrow band alongside peers such as Austria (US$3.64 billion) and Thailand (US$3.69 billion). The trajectory over the 56‑year series is marked by a pronounced peak of US$8.76 billion in 1992, reflecting the liberalisation and export‑driven growth of the early 1990s, followed by a steep decline to a historic low of US$0.06 billion in 2009 amid the global financial crisis and domestic policy uncertainty. Since that trough, inflows have recovered gradually, averaging around US$2.43 billion in the early 1970s and climbing to the current level, yet they remain well below the 1992 high. The pattern suggests that sustained policy reforms, improved investment climate and regional integration will be crucial to lift Malaysia’s FDI trajectory toward a new peak, while adverse external shocks could still depress future inflows.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.97% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.81% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.66% | −0.03% | #76 |
| 2024 | 3.69% | +1.71% | #65 |
| 2023 | 1.98% | −1.70% | #107 |
| 2022 | 3.68% | −1.73% | #76 |
| 2021 | 5.42% | +4.21% | #48 |
| 2020 | 1.20% | −1.30% | #116 |
| 2019 | 2.51% | +0.19% | #103 |
| 2018 | 2.31% | −0.62% | #110 |
| 2017 | 2.94% | −1.54% | #93 |
| 2016 | 4.47% | +1.20% | #63 |
| 2015 | 3.27% | +0.13% | #81 |
| 2014 | 3.14% | −0.35% | #89 |
| 2013 | 3.49% | +0.67% | #90 |
| 2012 | 2.83% | −2.25% | #101 |
| 2011 | 5.07% | +0.81% | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi inflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's fdi inflows was 3.66% in 2025. Ranked 76th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's fdi inflows peaked at 8.76% in 1992.
The lowest fdi inflows in Malaysia was 0.06% in 2009.
Malaysia ranks 76th globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's fdi inflows is projected to reach 3.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of Malaysia in 2025 was 3.66%. This ranks 76th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_fdi-inflows,
title = {Malaysia FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}