• According to an analysis by InvestChile, the average annual inflow of foreign direct investment over the past three years was US$18.4 billion.

The Central Bank reported foreign direct investment (FDI) figures to December 2024, showing that Chile received a net inflow of US$15.3 billion in the year. This figure is the third highest in the past nine years, exceeded only by the record-breaking foreign investment in 2023 (US$21.7 billion) and the US$18.2 billion recorded in 2022.

As such, FDI inflow over the past three years has averaged US$18.4 billion, which is 27% higher than the historical series average (US$14.5 billion) over the last two decades.

Although the foreign investment inflow in 2024 is positive, it is 29.5% lower than in 2023 due to an unusually high basis for comparison. It is worth noting that the 2023 record was the highest figure in the past nine years.

The most significant component of the accumulated FDI inflow in 2024 was reinvested earnings, totaling US$10.2 billion, followed by equity capital at US$4.2 billion, and inter-company loans at US$912 million.

Confidence in Chile remains strong

InvestChile Director Karla Flores explained that FDI figures should be viewed in perspective, especially considering that 2023 closed with a record US$21.7 billion, comparable only to the FDI obtained between 2011 and 2014 during Chile’s mining boom. For this reason, she highlighted that the FDI inflow in 2024 is good news, confirming that foreign investors continue to place their trust in Chile when developing their investment projects.

“Having a healthy inflow of foreign investment is always positive, especially in a complex international environment with extremely challenging financing conditions, where investment amounts have declined and the global equilibrium will likely be redefined due to changes in international economic and trade policies. The figures from the past three years enable us to look toward the future with optimism,” said Flores.

“This adds to the work we are doing as an agency. In 2024, InvestChile supported a portfolio of foreign investment projects totaling US$56.2 billion, the highest figure since our creation. These projects will be developed in the coming years, injecting more than 21,000 jobs into our economy,” Flores stated.