Total FDI Position (2024)
RM 0.0B
~USD 220B
Net FDI Flows (2024)
RM 0.0B
~USD 11.4B
Top Investor
Singapore
RM 21.4B in 2024
Top Sector
Services
76% of total flows
Understanding FDI in Malaysia
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in Malaysia's economic development, contributing to job creation, technology transfer, and export growth. As a key indicator of Malaysia's attractiveness to international investors, FDI statistics provide valuable insights into the health and direction of the Malaysian economy.
In 2024, Malaysia recorded a total FDI position of RM 995.5 billion (approximately USD 220 billion), representing a 7.7% increase from the previous year. Net FDI flows reached RM 51.5 billion, a 33.4% increase compared to 2023, demonstrating continued investor confidence in Malaysia's economy.
Historical FDI Trends
FDI Trends (2001-2024)
Historical foreign direct investment flows and position
Malaysia's FDI position has grown nearly 8x since 2001, from RM 129 billion to almost RM 1 trillion in 2024. The post-pandemic recovery in 2021-2022 saw record inflows, with 2022 marking the highest net flows (RM 75.4 billion) in Malaysian history.
FDI by Source Country
Top FDI Source Countries (2024)
Equity inflows (gross investment)
๐ก Equity inflows show gross investment capital. Net flows include debt instruments which can be negative (loans repaid/withdrawn).
FDI by Country (2024)
Ranked by equity inflows (gross investment)
| # | Country | Equity | Net Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ๐ธ๐ฌSingapore | +15.7B | +21.4B |
| 2 | ๐ฏ๐ตJapan | +5.5B | +6.2B |
| 3 | ๐บ๐ธUnited States | +5.2B | +11.4B |
| 4 | ๐ซ๐ทFrance | +4.9B | +5.6B |
| 5 | ๐จ๐ณChina | +3.2B | +0.0B |
| 6 | ๐ฉ๐ชGermany | +2.2B | +2.8B |
| 7 | ๐ฐ๐พCayman Islands | +1.8B | +4.6B |
| 8 | ๐ฐ๐ทSouth Korea | +1.5B | +2.2B |
| 9 | ๐ญ๐ฐHong Kong | +1.3B | +18.4B |
| 10 | ๐จ๐ญSwitzerland | +1.1B | +1.8B |
| 11 | ๐น๐ผTaiwan | +1.0B | +1.5B |
| 12 | ๐ฌ๐งUnited Kingdom | -1.7B | +1.5B |
Regional Investment Patterns
๐ Asia Dominates
97.6% of total FDI flows in 2024. Singapore leads with RM 21.4 billion.
๐๏ธ East Asian Hub
Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & China invested over RM 28 billion collectively.
๐บ๐ธ Western Growth
US emerged as major investor (RM 11.4B) despite European outflows.
FDI by Economic Sector
FDI by Sector (2024)
Distribution of investment across economic sectors
Services Sector Breakdown (2024)
Detailed breakdown of services investment
Sector Highlights
Services Sector (76.4%)
Attracted RM 39.4B driven by Information & Communication (RM 26.2B) and Financial Services (RM 8.4B).
Manufacturing (17.6%)
Reached RM 9.1B with E&E sector leading at RM 8.7B amid global supply chain shifts.
ASEAN Investment Flows
ASEAN Investment in Malaysia (2024)
Equity inflows from ASEAN member states
Showing equity inflows (gross). Net flows in parentheses include debt instrument changes.
ASEAN Economic Integration
As a founding ASEAN member, Malaysia benefits from strong intra-regional investment ties.
Largest ASEAN investor with RM 21.4B in 2024
Second largest with RM 519M in manufacturing
Emerging investor with RM 451M in 2024
Long-term Growth Trajectory
FDI Growth by Decade
Average annual FDI flows by period
FDI Growth Story
How FDI Relates to MSIC Codes
When foreign companies invest in Malaysia, they must register with SSM and select appropriate MSIC codes for their business activities. FDI data is classified using these same MSIC sectors.
Data Source & Methodology
All FDI statistics are sourced from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Data follows the IMF Balance of Payments Manual (BPM6) methodology. 2024 figures are preliminary.