Argentina attracts lowest foreign direct investment among major Latin American economies - Buenos Aires Herald

Argentina received the least foreign direct investment among six of the largest Latin American economies in 2025, according to a regional study.

Last year, the country attracted US$3.1 billion in direct foreign investment. Brazil was at the top of the list with US$76.8 billion, followed by Mexico (US$40B), Chile (US$13B), Colombia (US$11B) and Costa Rica (US$6B).

The ranking was released by think-tank Misión Productiva (Productive Mission) based on data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“The contrast reflects the difficulties that persist in Argentina to consolidate itself as a destination for productive capital in the long term, even in sectors where the country has competitive advantages and strong regulation incentives,” Misión Productiva said in their report.

In addition, the think-tank stated that foreign investment “will hardly be able to expand in a sustained manner in a context of a depressed domestic market, idle use of installed capacity, and absence of long-term financing.”