Foreign Direct Investment Analysis
David Acevedo
2025-09-14
Introduction
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) tells us how much trust international investors have in a country’s future. Big flows usually mean confidence, opportunity, and growth. Sharp drops often follow crises or conflicts. Let’s explore six countries: Colombia, Brazil, United States, China, Japan, and Ukraine.
Load and Prepare the Data
Quick Summary
Here’s a quick look at the average, minimum, and maximum FDI for each country:
| Country | Average FDI | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | (US$22,823,050,758) | (US$90,485,123,670) | US$9,380,283,047 |
| China | (US$54,509,775,426) | (US$231,651,578,090) | US$142,573,770,574 |
| Colombia | (US$3,854,959,357) | (US$15,646,181,232) | (US$14,000,000) |
| Japan | US$86,972,114,576 | US$9,481,358,284 | US$218,323,780,736 |
| Ukraine | (US$3,293,741,935) | (US$9,903,000,000) | US$236,000,000 |
| United States | US$2,415,877,551 | (US$345,435,000,000) | US$177,277,000,000 |
Combined Chart
Here we see all six countries together. The United States dominates. China grows strongly after 2001 (WTO entry). Ukraine collapses during conflict. Global crises (2008, 2020) clearly affect flows.
Faceted View
- Sometimes it’s easier to see trends separately.
- Here we split each country into its own panel, so their unique stories stand out.
Conclusion
The United States consistently leads as the biggest magnet for foreign capital.
China’s surge after 2001 reflects its integration into the global economy.
2008 (financial crisis) and 2020 (pandemic) show global shocks.
Ukraine highlights how war impacts investor confidence.
Deveolping economies like Colombia and Brazil remain volatile but dynamic.
👉 FDI is more than numbers — it’s a story of trust, risk, and opportunity in a changing world.