The index ranked Vietnam far above neighboring economic giant China, which scored only 0.56 on the index. China’s performance on the index has declined almost every year since 2003, as its pace of GDP growth outperformed growth of inward greenfield FDI projects. This should not be seen as a disastrous score, as it matches that of the world’s largest national economy the U.S., and fits with China’s strategy of stimulating domestic spending to fuel its growth while reducing reliance on FDI.
Of the world’s top five national economies by GDP, only the UK at 1.96 had a score greater than 1, outperforming South Asian economic powerhouse India. India’s situation resembles that of China, with GDP growth higher than inward greenfield FDI growth.