New Zealand FDI Inflows
Foreign direct investment, net inflows as % of GDP BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
New Zealand's fdi inflows was 1.08% in 2025, ranked 140th globally. This represents a 59.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's fdi inflows stood at 1.08% in 2025, a rise of +0.40% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.08% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 140th globally.
New Zealand’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have contracted sharply since the mid‑1990s, falling from an all‑time peak of 5.59 % of GDP in 1996 to a negative trough of –3.81 % in 2003, before stabilising at a modest 1.08 % in 2025, ranking 140th globally. The 56‑year series shows that the 1990s surge coincided with liberalised trade policies and a booming export sector, while the early‑2000s reversal reflected the global downturn and domestic regulatory tightening that discouraged overseas investors. By contrast, peer economies such as the Bahamas (1.04 % in 2025) and Korea (1.13 % in 2025) have maintained slightly higher inflow ratios, suggesting that New Zealand’s recent modest rebound is still below comparable small‑open economies. Continued investment in high‑growth sectors, clearer incentives for multinational enterprises, and a stable macro‑policy environment could help reverse the long‑term downward trajectory and lift New Zealand’s FDI inflows toward the levels seen during its 1990s peak.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Inflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.37% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.73% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.08% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.08% | +0.40% | #140 |
| 2024 | 0.68% | −1.05% | #147 |
| 2023 | 1.72% | −2.21% | #115 |
| 2022 | 3.93% | +1.84% | #68 |
| 2021 | 2.09% | −0.16% | #122 |
| 2020 | 2.25% | +0.81% | #85 |
| 2019 | 1.44% | +0.28% | #138 |
| 2018 | 1.16% | +0.00% | #146 |
| 2017 | 1.16% | +0.09% | #153 |
| 2016 | 1.06% | +1.10% | #146 |
| 2015 | -0.04% | −1.65% | #181 |
| 2014 | 1.61% | +1.65% | #135 |
| 2013 | -0.04% | −2.22% | #181 |
| 2012 | 2.18% | +1.36% | #129 |
| 2011 | 0.82% | +0.62% | #170 |
Analysis
New Zealand's fdi inflows was 1.08% in 2025, a rise of +0.40% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 1.08% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's fdi inflows was 1.08% in 2025. Ranked 140th globally. This represents a 59.4% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand's fdi inflows peaked at 5.59% in 1996.
The lowest fdi inflows in New Zealand was -3.81% in 2003.
New Zealand ranks 140th globally in fdi inflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's fdi inflows is projected to reach 1.08% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi inflows of New Zealand in 2025 was 1.08%. This ranks 140th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_fdi-inflows,
title = {New Zealand FDI Inflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/fdi-inflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}