QUICK LOOK: Long-term investments to the Philippines fell by a fifth in Nov 2024

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows to the Philippines fell 19.8 percent year-on-year to $901 million in November 2024, down from $1.1 billion in the same month in 2023, the central bank said on Monday.

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data released on Feb. 10, 2025, the decline was driven by a 17.9-percent drop in debt instrument investments and a 58.9-percent contraction in equity capital placements.

Despite the November decline, cumulative FDIs for January-November 2024 rose 4.4 percent to $8.6 billion.

The manufacturing, real estate, and financial sectors received most of the investments, with Japan, the United States, and Singapore as the top sources.

Key highlights:

• November 2024 FDI: Net inflows declined by 19.8 percent to $901 million.
• Debt instruments: Foreign investments in debt instruments fell 17.9 percent to $791 million.
• Equity capital: Placements (excluding reinvested earnings) plunged 58.9 percent to $35 million.
• Top investor countries: Japan, U.S., and Singapore were the biggest contributors.
• Cumulative FDI (Jan-Nov): Up 4.4 percent year-on-year to $8.6 billion.