Korea’s OFDI, Q3 2025
(US $100 million, %, y-o-y)
|
Korean OFDI |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
|
Amount invested |
182.7 |
161.1 |
150.7 |
165.8 |
166.2 |
163.7 |
146.9 |
183.9 |
159.2 |
153.8 |
160.6 |
|
Change (%) |
-36.0 |
-18.9 |
-21.3 |
4.1 |
-9.1 |
1.6 |
-2.5 |
10.9 |
-4.2 |
-6.0 |
9.3 |
Korea’s OFDI by industry
(US $100 million, %, y-o-y)
|
Korean OFDI |
Finance and insurance |
Manufacturing |
Information and communications |
Wholesale and retail trade |
Real estate and renting |
|
Q3, 2024 |
63.0 |
39.9 |
8.5 |
3.9 |
6.5 |
|
Q3, 2025 |
79.7 |
42.1 |
7.6 |
6.9 |
5.2 |
|
Change (%) |
26.5 |
5.5 |
-10.8 |
78.0 |
-20.2 |
Korea’s OFDI by region
(US $100 million, %, y-o-y)
|
Korean OFDI |
North America |
Asia |
Europe |
Latin America |
Oceania |
Middle East |
Africa |
|
Q3, 2024 |
52.0 |
29.8 |
37.6 |
23.4 |
3.3 |
0.5 |
0.4 |
|
Q3, 2025 |
64.8 |
43.5 |
25.1 |
23.4 |
2.8 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
|
Change (%) |
24.6 |
46.1 |
-33.1 |
0.4 |
-13.9 |
16.4 |
-30.4 |
Korea’s OFDI by country
(US $100 million, %, y-o-y)
|
Korean OFDI |
U.S. |
Cayman Islands |
Luxemburg |
Singapore |
Vietnam |
|
Q3, 2024 |
38.5 |
17.2 |
14.4 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
|
Q3, 2025 |
59.7 |
17.8 |
14.9 |
11.6 |
9.1 |
|
Change (%) |
55.0 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
135.1 |
71.7 |
In the third quarter of 2025 (July-September), Korea’s outbound foreign direct investment (OFDI) totaled $16.06 billion, marking a 9.3% increase compared to the same period of the previous year ($14.69 billion). This also represents a rise of 4.4 % from the previous quarter ($15.38 billion), rebounding from the downward trend that had persisted since the first quarter of this year.
The increase in OFDI in the third quarter of 2025 is interpreted as the result of a combination of factors, including changes in global financial market conditions – such as an easing monetary policy stance and stabilization of the U.S. dollar – as well as reduced uncertainty in the investment environment following the conclusion of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and major economies.
Amid persistent concerns over a global economic slowdown and the ongoing reconfiguration of supply chains and the international trade order, the government will strengthen multifaceted communication and cooperation with major destination countries to ensure that Korean companies expanding overseas can conduct stable business operations.
Please refer to the attached files.
