Signal Lao PDR's FDI share rose as its absolute value slipped and bank flows went negative for three years
Summary
Lao PDR shows an FDI share rising for the wrong reason. Foreign direct investment was the largest source of inflows in 2017 and 2018 and again in 2023 and 2024. Over the full period its share grew even though its absolute value declined slightly. Bank-related and other inflows were the biggest component in 2019 and 2020, then fell and turned negative from 2021 to 2023. Portfolio inflows stayed minimal throughout, so the higher FDI share mainly reflects the retreat of other capital rather than stronger direct investment.
Classification
Main topicMacroeconomy & Finance
Secondary topicsTrade & Economic Security
Region menusOther Regions
Occurrencescope:country · geo_region:southeast_asia · country:LA
Impactscope:country · geo_region:southeast_asia · country:LA
Time horizon0-3 years (2026-07-26)
Published2026-04
Last updated2026-09-30 12:56 KST
Evidence 1
- Global Opportunity Index 2026: Growth Markets in Southeast Asia Milken Institute page=27;section=Magnitude and Composition of Capital Inflows / Box 4. Capital Inflows to Growth Markets in Southeast Asia in the Past Decade 2026-04 accessed 2026-07-26
Part of trends 1
Directly linked issues 0
No objects.
Relation types: supports
Public id: fm-076c12c7383f