Sri Lanka FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Sri Lanka's fdi outflows was 0.12% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Sri Lanka's fdi outflows stood at 0.12% in 2025, a rise of +0.00% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.12% by 2025. Sri Lanka ranked 118th globally.
Sri Lanka's foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows have experienced fluctuations over the past five decades, with a significant peak in 2016 when the country recorded 0.27 in FDI outflows, ranking 118 globally in 2025, where it currently stands at 0.12. This represents a marked improvement from the trough of 1984 when FDI outflows were non-existent. Compared to its peers, Sri Lanka's current performance is comparable to Rwanda, which also has an FDI outflow rank of 118. The country's FDI outflows have shown a generally upward trend since 1975, when the data began, with some fluctuations. However, the stagnant growth since 2016 suggests a potential plateau in the country's outward investment trajectory. A significant increase in trade agreements or a shift in global economic policies could potentially alter this trend, thereby influencing Sri Lanka's FDI outflows in the future.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.16% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.14% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.12% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.12% | +0.00% | #118 |
| 2024 | 0.11% | +0.05% | #48 |
| 2023 | 0.06% | +0.04% | #51 |
| 2022 | 0.02% | +0.00% | #38 |
| 2021 | 0.02% | +0.00% | #39 |
| 2020 | 0.02% | −0.07% | #50 |
| 2019 | 0.09% | +0.02% | #52 |
| 2018 | 0.07% | −0.00% | #58 |
| 2017 | 0.08% | −0.19% | #53 |
| 2016 | 0.27% | +0.21% | #70 |
| 2015 | 0.06% | −0.02% | #49 |
| 2014 | 0.08% | −0.00% | #45 |
| 2013 | 0.08% | −0.01% | #46 |
| 2012 | 0.09% | +0.00% | #48 |
| 2011 | 0.09% | +0.02% | #46 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sri Lanka's fdi outflows was 0.12% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's fdi outflows peaked at 0.27% in 2016.
The lowest fdi outflows in Sri Lanka was 0.00% in 1975.
Sri Lanka ranks 118th globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sri Lanka's fdi outflows is projected to reach 0.12% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of Sri Lanka in 2025 was 0.12%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_fdi-outflows,
title = {Sri Lanka FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}