India has made a notable advancement in the global investment landscape by rising one rank to become the 15th most attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024. This development was highlighted in the World Investment Report 2025 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on June 19. Despite a slight year-on-year dip in actual FDI inflows—from $28.1 billion in 2023 to $27.6 billion in 2024—India’s overall investment profile has improved due to significant progress in other key investment indicators. The upward movement in ranking underscores global investor confidence in India’s economic fundamentals, strategic reforms, and long-term growth potential.

In 2023, India was placed 16th globally in terms of FDI inflows, but has managed to move up a spot in 2024 despite challenging global economic conditions, including geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and tightened monetary policies in several developed economies. While the marginal decline in total FDI inflows may seem concerning in isolation, experts suggest it is offset by Indias strong performance in greenfield investment and international project finance—two critical indicators of future economic expansion and infrastructure development.

The report also revealed that India climbed to the fourth position globally in terms of greenfield project announcements—a key measure of fresh capital expenditure that often leads to new factories, infrastructure, and job creation. In 2024, India saw the announcement of 1,080 greenfield projects across various sectors, including manufacturing, renewable energy, IT services, and logistics. This surge in new project announcements is being interpreted as a sign of robust investor sentiment and growing faith in India’s business environment, particularly as companies seek to diversify their global supply chains and reduce dependence on any single region.

India’s standing in international project finance also saw a major boost. The country secured 97 international project finance deals in 2024, placing it among the top five countries in the world in this category. These deals, typically large-scale in nature, often involve infrastructure development, energy projects, and transportation networks. Analysts note that India’s focus on improving its infrastructure, through initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and the Gati Shakti program, has played a major role in attracting such strategic investments. The financing of projects at this scale not only supports economic development but also demonstrates the trust that global investors and multilateral agencies place in India’s long-term growth trajectory.

In contrast, the United States maintained its dominant position as the world’s most attractive FDI destination. In 2024, the U.S. recorded an FDI inflow of $279 billion—up significantly from $233 billion in 2023. It also led the world in both greenfield project announcements and international project finance deals, far outpacing other economies, including India. American economic resilience, tech innovation, and deep capital markets continue to drive its strong performance in global investment rankings.

Nevertheless, India’s consistent upward momentum in global FDI rankings, combined with its impressive numbers in greenfield projects and project finance, signals growing investor interest in the country’s structural reforms, demographic advantages, and policy stability. Experts believe that with continued focus on ease of doing business, digital infrastructure, regulatory simplification, and skill development, India is well-positioned to climb even higher in future investment rankings. As global supply chains evolve and investors seek new growth markets, India’s role as a preferred investment destination is likely to grow even more prominent.

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