The United States led in attracting international investment in 2025, according to a ranking prepared by FDI.

It was followed by Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Canada.

This ranking is part of the indicators of the World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, prepared by the Institute for Management Development (IMD).

International investment

In 2024, the United States attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows of US$279 billion, a year-on-year increase of 19.6 percent.

The United States records large FDI inflows because of its large domestic market, economic stability, competitive business environment and advanced infrastructure. 

The country is also attractive because of its technological leadership, access to financing, skilled labor force and network of trade agreements.

In prospective, IMD predicted that after growing 2.8% in 2024, the U.S. economy will predictably grow 2.7% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026.

These are the 10 economies leading in competitiveness to attract international investment in 2025, according to IMD;

1. United States.
2. Hong Kong.
3. Singapore.
4. China.
5. Canada.
6. Switzerland.
7. Ireland.
8. France.
9. Sweden.
10. Germany. 

Challenges

Although it has a high rule of law score (88.7), the United States faces income inequality (Gini: 39.8) and low social cohesion, which generates competitive vulnerability.

From the perspective of Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics, IMD, the United States needs to ensure innovative leadership despite challenges to the intellectual independence of U.S. universities.

At the same time, the United States needs to improve the predictability of U.S. trade policy to encourage long-term industrial planning, as well as develop a plan to restore fiscal sustainability to the federal budget.

At the same time, Singapore, with strong institutions and good governance, also shows inequality (Gini: 37.8), which implies risks in stressful contexts.

Hard data

The IMD takes into account these statistics to elaborate its international investment indicator:

• Outward direct investment flows.
• Foreign direct investment inflows (% of GDP). 
• Stocks of direct investment abroad.
• Stocks of direct investment abroad (% of GDP).
• Inward direct investment flows.
• Inward direct investment flows (% of GDP).
• Inward direct investment stocks.
• Inward direct investment stocks (% of GDP).
• Stock of direct investment flows.
• Balance of direct investment flows (% of GDP).
• Net position in direct investment stocks.
• Net position in direct investment stocks (% of GDP).
• Threats of company relocation.