Hong Kong slips to third in global FDI rankings in 2025

UNCTAD says foreign investment inflows fell to $913.2b.

Hong Kong fell to the world's third largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 after inflows declined to $913.2b (US$116.5b), according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In its World Investment Report 2026, UNCTAD said Hong Kong's FDI inflows fell to $913.2b (US$116.5b) in 2025 from $1.08t (US$137.9b) in 2024, moving the city one place down from second globally.

Despite this, UNCTAD said Hong Kong remained amongst the world's leading destinations for foreign investment, reflecting its role as a financial and headquarters centre for international investment flows.

The report added that changes in rankings amongst the top recipients are often driven by a limited number of transactions in financial centres and investment hubs, rather than broad-based changes in productive capacity.

The report also showed Hong Kong accounted for 18% of FDI inflows into East Asia in 2025, despite the region recording a 12% decline in investment to $1.87t (US$238b), driven by lower inflows into China.

On outward investment, Hong Kong remained the world's fifth largest source of FDI in 2025. Outflows increased to $747.02b (US$95.3b), up from $726.64b (US$92.7b) a year earlier.

UNCTAD said global FDI increased 6% to $12.54t (US$1.6t) in 2025, whilst developing Asia remained the largest recipient region with $5.05t (US$644b) in inflows.

($1 = US$0.13)