KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia registered a net inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) totalling RM51.5 billion in 2024, a significant increase from RM38.6 billion recorded the previous year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
In a statement today, DOSM said foreign companies in Malaysia earned a total income of RM99.8 billion last year, up from RM88.4 billion in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by income from equity and investment fund shares, which totalled RM95.9 billion, alongside RM3.9 billion in interest income.
“As of the end of 2024, the country’s cumulative FDI position stood at RM995.5 billion, up from RM924.0 billion in previous year,” it said.
FDI flows in the form of equity and investment fund shares registered a net inflow of RM28.0 billion, contributing to an accumulated position of RM832.9 billion. Meanwhile, debt instruments recorded a net inflow of RM23.5 billion, bringing the position to RM162.6 billion.
By sector, the services industry attracted the highest FDI inflows at RM39.4 billion, with a total position of RM524.8 billion. The manufacturing sector, meanwhile, generated the highest FDI income at RM54.6 billion, followed by the services sector.
Regionally, Asian economies were the largest contributors of FDI to Malaysia in 2024, with total inflows amounting to RM50.3 billion. Singapore and Hong Kong were identified as the main sources. Investors from this region also recorded the highest income, totalling RM46.5 billion. – June 25, 2025