Singapore now draws twice as much foreign investment as China
Foreign direct investment, net inflows, US dollars, billions, 2010–2025 (balance of payments).
Net foreign direct investment into Singapore in 2025, nearly three times its 2010 level.
Net inflows into China in 2025, down from $344 billion in 2021.
Singapore drew twice China's net inflows in 2025, after passing it in 2023, as hubs like Singapore channel money across Asia.
the numbers
| Year | Singapore (bn) | China (bn) | Brazil (bn) | India (bn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 55.3 | 243.7 | 82.4 | 27.4 |
| 2011 | 49.2 | 280.1 | 102.4 | 36.5 |
| 2012 | 55.3 | 241.2 | 92.6 | 24.0 |
| 2013 | 64.4 | 290.9 | 75.2 | 28.2 |
| 2014 | 68.7 | 268.1 | 87.7 | 34.6 |
| 2015 | 69.8 | 242.5 | 64.7 | 44.0 |
| 2016 | 65.1 | 174.7 | 74.3 | 44.5 |
| 2017 | 102.0 | 166.1 | 68.9 | 40.0 |
| 2018 | 86.1 | 235.4 | 78.2 | 42.1 |
| 2019 | 106.2 | 187.2 | 69.2 | 50.6 |
| 2020 | 79.3 | 253.1 | 38.3 | 64.4 |
| 2021 | 142.3 | 344.1 | 46.4 | 44.7 |
| 2022 | 144.1 | 190.2 | 75.5 | 49.9 |
| 2023 | 125.8 | 51.3 | 62.8 | 28.1 |
| 2024 | 135.1 | 42.6 | 74.1 | 27.1 |
| 2025 | 159.1 | 80.0 | 77.7 | 40.8 |
source notes & method
All values read from the World Bank API (BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD, WDI last updated 8 Oct 2026) on 3 Nov 2026. Net inflows = new foreign direct investment into the economy minus disinvestment, balance-of-payments basis, current US dollars (World Bank from IMF balance-of-payments data). Hubs such as Singapore record large flows that pass through holding companies to other countries. 2025: Singapore $159.088bn, China $79.980bn (ratio 1.99×, derived); 2023: Singapore $125.8bn vs China $51.3bn (2022: $144.1bn vs $190.2bn), so Singapore has been ahead since 2023. Singapore 2010: $55.322bn (2.88×, derived). China 2021: $344.075bn. Hong Kong (not charted) also drew more than China in 2023–2025 ($121.0bn in 2025). The gap was 2.45× in 2023 and 3.17× in 2024, narrowing in 2025 as China's inflows recovered. The chart starts in 2010 because the series shows a likely break between 2009 and 2010 for China and Brazil. 2025 values as published; latest-year figures may be revised. Takeaway 3's last clause is an interpretation.
Published 3 Nov 2026
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