Key Facts
—The headline. The region drew $194.233 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025, up just 1.7% on the year, according to the UN’s regional body ECLAC.
—A sharp slowdown. That follows a 7.1% rise in 2024, when inflows reached $188.962 billion, so growth cooled to roughly a quarter of the prior pace.
—Where it went. After Brazil and Mexico, the biggest recipients were Chile (7%), Peru (6%), Colombia (6%), Guyana (5%), Costa Rica (3%) and the Dominican Republic (3%).
—Recycled money. Reinvested earnings made up 51% of the total, meaning most inflows came from firms already present rather than fresh arrivals.
