Brazilian Foreign Direct Investment Hits BRL 84.1 Billion in January–November 2025, Best in 11 Years

Brazil attracted BRL 84.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) between January and November 2025, the best result in more than a decade. As per data published on Friday by the Ministry of Industry and Foreign Trade, the capital inflows of this year put the country on track to end 2025 with a new record if December follows the trend.

The Brazilian government stated that this result marks a new cycle of foreign investor confidence and places the country among the most favored destinations for productive capital in emerging markets. After several years of low inflows, the recovery of foreign direct investment in Brazil is a vote of confidence in the country’s macroeconomic outlook and institutional framework.

Record Performance in 11 Years

In 2025, Brazil already records the largest volume of foreign direct investment in more than ten years, according to official data from the Ministry of Industry and Foreign Trade. The authorities also pointed out that, if the capital inflows of December match the data until then, Brazil can even overtake the all-time record set in 2011.

This fact reinforces Brazil’s relevance to global investment flows, especially in a period when multinational companies are reviewing their supply chains, diversifying their production locations, and looking for large domestic markets with long-term growth potential. The recovery of Brazilian foreign direct investment also mirrors global trends in nearshoring and diversification in the Americas.

Brazilian Foreign Direct Investment Grew to BRL 84.1 Billion in 11 Months

Brazil received BRL 84.1 billion – equivalent to approximately USD 15.2 billion – in foreign direct investment between January and November 2025. As per the official press release by the ministry, this would be the best annual result since 2014, when FDI flows ended a previous investment boom in the country.

The government also noted that, if the current level of capital inflows is maintained in December, Brazil would overtake the historical record of 2011 when FDI reached BRL 102.4 billion, or USD 18.5 billion at the time. This number was long used by policymakers as a reference mark, and approaching it again shows a significant recovery in sentiment.

Historical Comparison of Foreign Direct Investment in Brazil

For context, below is a brief historical comparison of foreign direct investment in Brazil over the last decade. In this time, the country has seen significant ups and downs in FDI, mainly driven by external and internal shocks that often present as recurring cycles.

• 2011: BRL 102.4 billion in FDI (all-time high)
• 2014: Last significant inflow before an extended downturn
• 2025 (Jan.–Nov. ): BRL 84.1 billion (provisional data)

The data above illustrates the size of the turnaround taking place in 2025, and how the current Brazilian foreign direct investment levels are close to matching those experienced during the boom years. The ongoing return of FDI is perceived as recognition of Brazil’s long-term fundamentals.

Government Comments on the Surge

Vice President and Minister of Industry and Trade, Geraldo Alckmin, said the data was “excellent news” for the Brazilian economy. He also noted that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had previously announced that 2025 would be “the year of the harvest” after a series of reforms and policies implemented in prior years.

According to Alckmin, the growth in foreign investment is the result of a more business-friendly environment with more legal certainty, which has fostered renewed international confidence in Brazil’s economic policy. He further added that foreign capital was important not only for funding growth but also for bringing technology, improving productivity, and generating higher-quality employment.

Main Drivers of Investor Confidence in Brazil

The minister pointed to a few initiatives that have been particularly important for making Brazil more attractive to foreign investors. In this line, he highlighted the Nova Indústria Brasil program, which aims to modernize and upgrade the country’s industrial sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and higher-value-added production.

In this sense, an important change was the recently approved tax reform by the National Congress, which aims to simplify and streamline Brazil’s notoriously complex tax system while reducing distortions and increasing transparency. The reform is expected to increase predictability and lower compliance costs for companies. It addressed one of the foreign investors’ most long-standing concerns.

In short, government officials claim that these initiatives and a handful of others have eased regulatory uncertainty and given Brazil more institutional credibility as a stable and reliable market for long-term capital. In turn, this contributed to strengthening Brazilian foreign direct investment.

Sectors and Medium-Term Prospects

Brazilian foreign direct investment is distributed across a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, logistics, and information technology. In this way, its large consumer market, natural resources, and renewed emphasis on renewable energy have made it particularly appealing for investors looking for both size and sustainability.

In terms of medium-term prospects, government officials anticipate further acceleration in 2026 in the wake of infrastructure concessions, public–private partnerships, and industrial development linked to global decarbonization. If the reform agenda progresses and macroeconomic stability is maintained, Brazil should continue to be one of the most favored destinations for FDI in Latin America.

In that perspective, the robust numbers for 2025 are not expected to be a one-off phenomenon but rather the basis for a new cycle of sustained international investment and economic modernization in Brazil.

Project Overview and Key Details

Location: San Salvador metropolitan area and San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, El Salvador

Development Name: AirCity

Developer: Aristos Inmobiliaria

Estimated Value: US$250 million

Area: 532,000 square meters

Infrastructure Highlights: Airport free trade zone in El Salvador, logistics park, aviation facilities, multimodal connectivity

Key Investors: Aristos Inmobiliaria (Grupo Aristos)

Status: Groundbreaking announced in December 2025; construction to begin in 2026, with initial phases operational in 2027

Investment Scope and Development Phases

AirCity will be located on an area of 532,000 square meters within El Salvador International Airport, San Óscar Arnulfo Romero. The investment in the airport free trade zone in El Salvador will total US$250 million, and the developer has proposed multiple phases to increase scalability and allow tenants to come online while future expansions are in process.

Government Support and Strategic Vision

Senior government officials and President Nayib Bukele attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the last days of December 2025. “AirCity is an example of the type of quality investment that will turn El Salvador into a regional logistics, commercial, and innovation hub,” Escobar, the CEO of Aristos Inmobiliaria, said in a press release.

Free Trade Zone Framework and Investor Incentives

“This development is a real-time example of the confidence that we have in the future of the Salvadoran economy and its potential to generate the highest quality employment for our people,” Escobar continued. The AirCity project will span an area of 532,000 square meters and operate as an airport free trade zone under the framework of El Salvador’s Free Trade Zone Law. The project will provide an array of incentives to foreign investors, including tax breaks, accelerated customs procedures, and a predictable regulatory environment.

A First-of-Its-Kind Development in Central America

AirCity is being marketed as the first airport free trade zone in El Salvador and the Central American isthmus, which places it in a novel category of real estate developments. The space in which AirCity will be built has direct connectivity to air cargo infrastructure, high-frequency regional and international flight networks, and an expanding logistics and industrial services ecosystem.

Regional and International Comparisons

The incorporation of aviation-related industrial real estate within El Salvador marks the country’s ascendance in this specialized market. The U.S. has a significant lead in airport free trade zones, with substantial developments in states like California, Texas, and Florida. Mexico has been rapidly developing this sector with new projects like Mexipark Logistics City, with two future airport logistics parks planned for Guadalajara and Tijuana, and an established presence with Aeropuerto Industrial Rosarito. In Central America, Panama is a close competitor, with ongoing construction of parks such as Logistica Tocumen and Aerofibra Panamá within its international airport.

Specialized Aviation Infrastructure and Operations

AirCity developers have also emphasized that tenants will be able to leverage the availability of specialized aviation infrastructure for facilities and operations. An on-site taxiway that links directly with the runway will give aircraft access to hangars or logistics facilities without operational delays. Large aircraft operating at El Salvador International Airport will therefore be able to drive or taxi directly from the runway to a hangar or logistics facility without operational interruptions. This flexibility is especially valuable for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations and fast-moving cargo handling.

Multimodal Platform and Logistics Integration

The development will also have a platform of over 124,000 square meters on which aircraft can park, remain overnight, or stage prior to commencing maintenance or logistics operations. Warehouse, hangar, and support facilities are being designed to international specifications. When completed, the AirCity megaproject will combine airside and landside operations to function as a true multimodal platform and will connect logistics services with digital trade infrastructure, road transport networks, and e-commerce ecosystems.

Construction Timeline and Presidential Remarks

AirCity is located about 40 kilometers south of San Salvador, and building construction is set to start in 2026 with early phases expected to be operational by 2027. “The government is building a country that’s pro-business, pro-investment, and pro-technology,” President Bukele said on Twitter, commenting on the start of construction at AirCity. “Projects like these are what El Salvador needs, and we’re going to keep working for all Salvadorans and to transform our country, which is possible because all the sectors are joining forces.”

Job Creation and Workforce Development

The first phase of AirCity is expected to create over 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs, and the Aristos Inmobiliaria website says that “upon full operation, we expect to generate approximately 5,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, especially in aeronautical maintenance and logistics, engineering, and other specialized technical services.” Aeronautical maintenance has significant long-term employment potential. The sector is rapidly growing, but demand for certified technicians, inspectors, maintenance engineers, and other specialists has been outstripping supply, creating a major opportunity for training programs and higher education across Latin America.

Impact on Airport Operations and National Economy

Direct employment at El Salvador International Airport is also going to increase significantly. “This is not only a point of origin and destination (POD); it is already a connected airport with great infrastructure in logistics, cargo, air and ocean connectivity and having nearby companies that complement the airport services in which we specialize and have always been distinguished,” Juan Carlos Schaff, head of aeronautical and industrial park development at Aristos, was quoted as saying. “The impact that this [AirCity] project will have will be very important to increase jobs, not only in the airport but also throughout the country.”

El Salvador International Airport as an MRO Hub

El Salvador International Airport, sometimes called “Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport,” is currently a focus point for MRO businesses. The airport connects San Salvador to central, south, and southeast Asia and operates as a focus city for Avianca and Volaris El Salvador, which has its hub there. A maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) specialist, MRO Holdings, also has an operations facility on the western side of El Salvador International Airport that is the largest aeronautical maintenance facility in Latin America.

Strategic Location and Nearshoring Potential

The airport’s location is also a major selling point. Passengers can fly from San Salvador to southern destinations in the U.S. in under three hours, and flights to destinations in both North and South America are efficient, making it an attractive nearshoring option for companies. AirCity appears to be a major opportunity for real estate developers, multinational companies, and investors in many different industries.

Real Wages, Working Hours, Benefits, and Labor Conditions in Mexico vs. The United States, Spain, and Other OECD Countries

Maquiladora work is an economic engine behind global manufacturing supply chains. Multinational firms manufacture products at scale and at low enough costs to satisfy investors and shareholders worldwide. Wages, working hours, and labor protections for maquila operators, however, differ from country to country in significant and consequential ways. This brief guide compares and explains how much maquila operators are paid, how many hours they work, and why there is a structural wage gap between Mexico and developed economies today.

Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the OECD, and international labor agencies all show maquila operators in Mexico earn far less, work more hours, and have fewer protections than in the U.S. or Europe. What Is a Maquila Operator?

A maquila operator is a factory worker who performs repetitive tasks on a production line or within export processing facilities. The work is common to the following industrial sectors:

• Automotive manufacturing
• Electronics
• Medical devices
• Textile and garment manufacturing
• Auto parts and components

Typical duties include operating equipment, assembling parts, visual inspection of components, packaging of finished products, and performing basic quality control and assurance checks. Maquila work is not considered highly skilled. Labor force participation rates are high, but there is a structural difference in wages between skilled and unskilled labor, and this divide has an outsized impact on maquiladoras in Mexico.

How Much Does a Maquila Operator in Mexico Earn in 2025?

The average maquila operator in Mexico in 2025 makes between:

• MXN $7,500 and $11,000 per month, depending on the region and industry
• MXN $42 to $65 estimated hourly pay
• 48-hour work week
• Overtime (night or rotating shifts) is common.

INEGI’s publicly available data also shows that over 60% of maquila workers are still making one to two minimum wages, even within top export-driven industries like automotive and electronics. After decades of productivity gains and export record-breaking years, wages in Mexican maquiladoras have not kept pace with international averages.

Mexico vs. OECD Countries International Comparison

The United States

• USD $2,800 to $3,800 per month
• USD $16–22 per hour
• 40-hour standard work week
• Access to employer-sponsored health insurance, paid vacation, paid overtime, and legal protections against unsafe working conditions

Labor unions in the U.S. have less of a presence within export-oriented industries than in Spain, but manufacturing operators often do the same work as in Mexico for many more dollars.

Spain

• EUR €1,400–€1,800 per month
• EUR €9–12 per hour
• 40-hour legal work week
• Production work is often protected by strong collective bargaining agreements with a robust union presence and extensive worker protections under EU labor standards.

Labor standards enforced by the EU and the Spanish state, such as working hour caps, paid leave, sick time, and severance, often result in overall lower wages but significantly better social and health outcomes for workers.

OECD Average

• USD $15–20 per industrial hour worked
• Shorter working hours and a higher level of automation in the most advanced manufacturing nations
• Lower labor turnover rates result in less precarious working conditions and better job stability

As an important global manufacturing hub, Mexico is among the lowest-paid industrial labor markets within the OECD. The low-cost labor environment, which has attracted enormous foreign investment over the past several decades, has made it difficult for wages in maquiladoras in Mexico to improve significantly.

Working Hours and Conditions

In Mexico’s maquila plants:

• Shifts can last from 8 to 12 hours or more.
• Night work and rotating schedules are common.
• Production rhythms can be very intense, especially as export deadlines approach.
• Worker turnover can be high, and there is significant physical demand on workers.

OECD countries enforce strict limits on overtime and short daily work hours, and mandate that employers respect ergonomic standards and safe working conditions. These fundamental differences in working conditions not only lead to higher wages in other countries but also to better long-term health for workers.

Benefits and Social Protections: Mexico and the OECD

In Mexico

• Mandatory IMSS (Social Security) enrollment, with limited benefits and coverage
• Legally required vacation days are minimal, and most workers are not provided with any vacation at all
• Productivity and results-based bonuses are not mandated or guaranteed
• Unions are not strong across the board, and in some export plants, they have very little bargaining power

In OECD Countries

• Health insurance, often covering the whole family, is standard and legally mandated
• Paid parental and sick leave are often provided.
• Collective bargaining is strong, and legal protections exist against arbitrary dismissal and other unfair labor practices.

It is not only wages that matter, but also the overall quality of employment that maquiladoras in Mexico offer compared to other developed countries.

Why Is There a Wage Gap?

Labor economists point out four major structural factors behind the sustained wage gap:

1. An economic development model built around low labor costs to attract foreign investment
2. Weak and fragmented union representation
3. Competition among developing countries for international manufacturing contracts
4. Less strict enforcement of labor law and regulations

Minimum wage increases in recent years have helped to improve the baseline incomes of maquila workers, but have not shifted Mexico’s underlying position within the global manufacturing value chain.

Can Wages Improve for Maquila Operators?

There is a broad consensus among labor experts, economists, and stakeholders that there are steps the Mexican government and private sector can take to improve wages for maquila operators. These include:

• Salary increases linked to productivity increases
• Stronger labor inspections and enforcement
• Real union empowerment
• Transition toward higher value-added manufacturing

Without significant changes across all areas, maquiladoras in Mexico will continue to be attractive to foreign investors for their low labor costs, not because of their commitment to workers or long-term income mobility.

Conclusion

Maquila operators in Mexico are an essential part of global production chains, and yet they earn less than what factory workers make in the United States, Spain, and other OECD countries. The gap is not the result of worker effort or skill level, but is the product of economic and regulatory choices. So long as this status quo remains unchanged, Mexico’s maquila sector will continue to focus on cost-driven competitiveness rather than shared prosperity for the workers who keep factories operational.

New Foreign Investment Signals Sector Growth

The Paraguayan auto parts segment is poised for growth with new investment from India’s Motherson Group. Paraguay is witnessing a renaissance in the auto parts industry that is taking shape through both Paraguayan and foreign investment. The news that the Indian multinational company Motherson Group is preparing to invest USD 15 million in Paraguay was recently announced. In addition, over the last few years, the auto parts segment has been one of the few industries to steadily expand. The establishment of new companies has not only increased dynamism in the sector but has also contributed to diversification in the maquila sector in Paraguay, highlighting its potential as a competitive destination for high-value manufacturing and export-oriented production.

Export Performance and Industry Composition

The National Council of Export Industries (CNIME) reports that the Paraguayan auto parts sector is represented by 10 companies under the maquila regime, producing various components, including electrical harnesses, leather seats, valve covers, radiator caps, and articulated impact-absorption systems. From January to October 2025, the sector’s exports reached USD 362 million, marking a 55% increase since 2023, said Diego Peyrat, Dispatch Manager of CNIME. Peyrat points out that Paraguay’s auto parts maquilas are still a relatively small portion of the entire industry, which in 2025 had over 400 companies. Nevertheless, the numbers show growth and an increasing presence of these higher-value components in the overall mix of Paraguay’s industry.

Sustained Growth and Positive Outlook

Paraguay’s auto parts sector has experienced remarkable growth over the past three years. “We have recorded spectacular growth in this segment in the last three years. Between the beginning of 2025 and October, this has been one of Paraguay’s biggest years and has already registered exports worth USD 362 million. We are witnessing a very interesting pace of growth. The forecast for 2026 is also very positive, with the sector again likely to break records,” Peyrat said to La Nación/Nación Media.

Motherson Group and the Ripple Effect of Investment

The growing confidence of international investors is reflected in the entry of India’s Motherson Group into the country. Although still little is known about the operation of the Indian company, Peyrat assures that this new investment will have a ripple effect in the Paraguayan industry, attracting new international companies. In this case, it is about the auto parts sector, but there will likely be many other firms that also come to invest in Paraguay in 2026 and beyond. “The first companies to enter saw the potential, and we now have the confidence of other companies from abroad, and I think we will also see that with the auto parts sector,” said Peyrat.

Maquila Projects and Sector Diversification

In 2025, Paraguay approved 22 maquila projects, while another seven are under analysis. These projects are spread out over a number of industries, including clothing manufacturing, furniture assembly, and food production. Companies in clothing manufacturing and services are still the most common, even as there is a clear intent to push more diversity in the types of companies that make up the maquila sector in Paraguay.

Move Toward Higher Value-Added Components

Diversification is one of the main topics in the development of the auto parts sector. As one of the largest by volume produced in the maquila regime in Paraguay, wiring harnesses and electrical parts, in particular, are the most common. Nevertheless, an increasing number of companies are seeking to expand into other, more sophisticated components with higher added value. This strengthens the competitiveness of the sector, increasing its international positioning and contributing to its long-term sustainability.

Employment Growth and Regional Concentration

Motherson’s decision to enter the country is expected to expand that dynamic, allowing Paraguayan companies to occupy larger and more strategic portions of global supply chains, not only making the maquila sector in Paraguay more attractive to foreign investors but also increasing export revenues. By October of 2025, the auto parts sector had registered 7,963 direct jobs. In terms of geographic distribution, 91% of approved maquila companies are concentrated in just four Paraguayan regions: Alto Paraná, Central, the capital, and Amambay. Alto Paraná has by far the largest share, with 47% of all firms, due in part to its logistical advantage of being closest to Brazil, the largest market for Paraguayan exports.

Policy Support and Investment Climate

Employment, regional concentration, diversification, increasing export performance, and international investments are just some of the elements shaping the maquila sector in Paraguay. The strong showing by the auto parts sector is the result of a complex interaction between the government’s strategic approach to generating FDI and the support of private sector companies, both foreign and Paraguayan, seeking to take advantage of Paraguay’s business-friendly environment. Paraguay has, for some time, provided strong incentives for export-oriented production and invested in the infrastructure necessary for industrial companies to set up shop and thrive. The entry of Motherson and the approval of various other maquila projects show that Paraguay has positioned itself as a desirable location for such firms.

A Bright Future for the Auto Parts Sector in Paraguay

Looking ahead, the auto parts sector is expected to continue growing and increase its share of the maquila sector in Paraguay. Diversification remains central, as companies expand into higher-value components and projects are approved across multiple industries. Strategic regional placement supports logistical efficiency and proximity to export markets, while new foreign entrants bring advanced technologies and deeper integration into global supply chains. These factors are set to boost exports, generate employment, and stimulate related industries such as logistics, materials supply, and engineering services.

In short, the maquila sector in Paraguay—particularly the auto parts segment—is undergoing expansion and diversification. Motherson Group’s investment, combined with strong export growth and rising employment, underscores the sector’s growing economic importance. With a solid foundation of incentives, infrastructure, and strategic geography, Paraguay is well-positioned to strengthen its role in global manufacturing and export markets in the years ahead.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Chile has surpassed initial expectations. According to data from the Central Bank, by October of this year, accumulated foreign direct investment in Chile reached US$12.711 billion. This figure corresponds to an annual increase of 13.6% in the inflow of foreign capital when compared to the same period in 2024. These statistics indicate a robust recovery in foreign direct investment and a sustained upward trend in capital inflows to Chile, thus reinforcing the country’s reputation as a safe, stable, and competitive investment destination.

Committee of Ministers for Foreign Investment highlights strong performance

The above data was discussed and positively assessed during the most recent meeting of the Committee of Ministers for Foreign Investment. This group, which meets on a quarterly basis and  is presided over by the Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism and the Minister of Energy, Álvaro García, provides a high-level forum for the most relevant authorities in charge of attracting foreign direct investment to Chile.

The previous meeting of the Committee of Ministers for Foreign Investment was convened on Friday, December 11, 2025, and included the participation of top government officials. In addition to the Minister García, the gathering featured the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Van Klaveren; the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz; the Undersecretary of Public Works, Danilo Núñez; the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Alan Espinosa; the International Coordinator of the Ministry of Finance, Carola Moreno; and the Acting Director of InvestChile, Juan Pablo Candia.

The latter, Candia, was in charge of the Committee’s most recent session, offering a general overview of the work performed by InvestChile in terms of FDI over the last four years. He also provided an update on the agency’s pipeline of projects moving forward through 2026. In his presentation, Candia not only highlighted Chile’s quantitative achievements in this regard but also emphasized the qualitative evolution of Chile’s investment promotion strategy. This includes greater attention being paid to regionalization and the diversification of targeted sectors.

Outperforming the Target by a Wide Margin

“In the foreign direct investment results we are seeing a very clear sign of confidence in Chile. We set ourselves a goal of US$17 billion in FDI for the 2023–2026 period, and today we can say that this figure has been very widely surpassed, as we have reached 137% of that, with more than US$23 billion in committed investment. It is a good moment to reaffirm that Chile is an attractive destination, with clear rules, with institutional stability, with an active investment promotion policy”, asserted García.

This outcome, it is important to highlight, is the product of a favorable comparison with global trends that have limited investment flows elsewhere. In other words, FDI in Chile is a relative bright spot in the current international economic scenario. Chile has been able to outperform global averages despite being heavily affected by high uncertainty, tight financial conditions, and geopolitical risks. This positive anomaly has been attributed to the country’s policy continuity, openness to trade, and deep-rooted commitment to protecting the rights of investors.

Job Creation

The realization of foreign direct investment in Chile has also had a positive impact on the job market. In this regard, official statistics show that the materialization of the aforementioned investments has enabled the creation of 8,300 permanent jobs. This number surpasses the Council of Ministers target of 7,000 jobs by 117% for the 2023–2026 period. This, for its part, has not been a matter of chance, according to the Minister García.

“This performance is not random. It is the result of the sustained work of InvestChile and the Committee of Ministers, which has defined a modern strategy, with a very strong international presence, and with a robust focus on regionalization. Today we are seeing how foreign investment not only grows, but also creates jobs, is decentralized, and strengthens strategic sectors such as mining and energy. That way it is making an important contribution to the productive development of the country and to its energy transition,” he stressed.

Outperforming World Averages

One of the key points in Candia’s presentation centered on how FDI in Chile has exceeded world averages throughout the 2022–2024 period. This has been the case even though the global context has been marked by great uncertainty and strong headwinds. In fact, statistics on foreign direct investment show a 2.9% average decline in flows at the global level between 2022 and 2024. Chile, for its part, had a positive average growth of 1.4% in direct investment flows over the same period.

The divergence is a demonstration of the relative resilience of foreign direct investment in Chile and, in particular, of investor confidence in the country’s macroeconomic management, its regulatory framework, and its long-term development strategy. Experts have emphasized that Chile’s strong institutions, independent central bank, and well-developed capital markets continue to set the country apart within Latin America.

Central Bank Data and Comparison with Historical Averages

According to Central Bank data, foreign investment flows accumulated through October already total US$12.711 billion. In this regard, Central Bank data show an increase of 13.6% in accumulated foreign direct investment in Chile compared with the same period in 2024. The average net accumulated flows between 2022 and 2025, measured through October, amounted to US$14.604 billion. This amount, in turn, represents a 16.6% increase over the historical average in the 2003–2025 period. This figure, according to historical statistics available in the Central Bank’s Balance of Payments, is US$12.520 billion.

These long-term comparisons, it is worth pointing out, are used to illustrate the fact that current performance is not cyclical in nature. On the contrary, they are part of a broader trend in which FDI in Chile has generally exceeded historical norms in recent years, even as other economies have struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels of investment.

Main Source Countries

Over the past ten years, the countries that have most contributed to the growth of FDI in Chile have been Canada and Italy. The former has shown the most dynamic behavior, displacing the United States from the top spot, and currently totaling more than US$41.84 billion in accumulated investments in Chile. The investment from Italy, in turn, has grown by 36%, moving Italy from 26th to 6th place in the ranking of countries that have invested in Chile the most during the same period.

This diversification of source countries is seen as a positive trend, since it reduces the concentration of FDI in Chile in any single country. In this way, it is an example of how Chile’s network of trade agreements and diplomatic relations with the rest of the world allows it to facilitate investment flows from both traditional partners and emerging economies.

Regionalization and Strategic Sectors

The foreign direct investment registered in Chile has also supported the decentralization of productive activity, with a strong focus on the country’s regions. In this context, different investment projects have served to reinforce development poles in both northern and southern Chile, supporting local economies and helping to break with a historic geographic concentration.

Mining, without a doubt, remains the sector that receives the most foreign investment, thanks to Chile’s position as a global leader in the production of copper and other critical minerals. Energy, meanwhile, has emerged as the most dynamic sector in terms of FDI in Chile over the last few years, driven by initiatives such as renewable energy projects, green hydrogen developments, and infrastructure aligned with the country’s energy transition.

Minister García highlighted the successful implementation of InvestChile’s Regional Strategy. This strategy, as described by the Ministry of Economy, has already enabled the signing of 10 regional agreements, along with other advances in the development of regional value propositions, investment opportunities, and regional coordination tables. All these actions, in the eyes of the authorities, help to strengthen FDI in Chile as a strategic component of growth, regional development, and long-term competitiveness.