Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea
South Korea: Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) was 33.36 billion in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea, 2005–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea is 33.36 billion, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 154.1% on the previous year and up 78.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea peaked at 43.94 billion in 2021 and was at its lowest, -5.31 billion, in 2005.
That places South Korea 7th out of 195 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -5.31 billion | — |
| 2006 | 3.40 billion | -164.0% |
| 2007 | 13.00 billion | +282.3% |
| 2008 | 8.35 billion | -35.8% |
| 2009 | 8.38 billion | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 18.72 billion | +123.5% |
| 2011 | 19.87 billion | +6.1% |
| 2012 | 21.10 billion | +6.2% |
| 2013 | 15.55 billion | -26.3% |
| 2014 | 18.72 billion | +20.4% |
| 2015 | 19.58 billion | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 17.79 billion | -9.2% |
| 2017 | 16.16 billion | -9.2% |
| 2018 | 26.04 billion | +61.2% |
| 2019 | 25.60 billion | -1.7% |
| 2020 | 26.07 billion | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 43.94 billion | +68.6% |
| 2022 | 40.75 billion | -7.3% |
| 2023 | 13.13 billion | -67.8% |
| 2024 | 33.36 billion | +154.1% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 33.36 billion is above the median for high income countries, which is -139.68 million. (70 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 33.36 billion is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -86.91 million. (33 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +282.3% | 3.40 billion | 13.00 billion |
| 2006 | +164.0% | -5.31 billion | 3.40 billion |
| 2024 | +154.1% | 13.13 billion | 33.36 billion |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.56 billion | -5.31 billion | 13.00 billion | 5 |
| 2010s | 19.91 billion | 15.55 billion | 26.04 billion | 10 |
| 2020s | 31.45 billion | 13.13 billion | 43.94 billion | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More external debt data for South Korea
- Net financial flows, IBRD 0 NFL, current US$ (2025)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per capita 0 NFL, current US$ per person (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per unit of GDP 0 NFL, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per square kilometre 0 NFL, current US$ per square kilometre (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), annual growth rate 100 % change on previous year (2010)
- Net financial flows, IBRD (NFL, current US$), annual growth rate 100 % change on previous year (2014)
- Other investment, Debt instruments 309.08 billion US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 7.57 % change on previous year (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments, Deposit taking corporations 188.50 billion US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 5,980 US dollar per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea?
- Direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Korea was 33.36 billion in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 43.94 billion in 2021.
- What is the lowest direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -5.31 billion in 2005.
- How does South Korea rank for direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net)?
- South Korea ranks 7th out of 195 countries with data for 2024.
- Is direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 78.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net incurrence of liabilities) (US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The World and Country Group Aggregates (historically called BOPSY) is an annual publication, released each November, of major balance of payments and international investment position components for countries, country groups, and the world.