WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Developing countries lost $6.6 trillion between 2003 and 2012, according to a new report, which is much more than they're getting in aid. The report also claims crime in those countries is increasing.

The report, from the Global Financial Integrity firm, shows over $991 billion in illicit capital left developing and emerging economies in 2012 alone and funded many kinds of criminal activities.


The report claims China is number one for illicit capital with a loss of $1.25 trillion between 2003 and 2012. Russia, India and Mexico were also at the top of the list.

"As this report demonstrates, illicit financial flows are the most damaging economic problem plaguing the world's developing and emerging economies," said GFI President Raymond Baker. "These outflows—already greater than the combined sum of all [foreign direct investment] and [official development assistance] flowing into these countries—are sapping roughly a trillion dollars per year from the world's poor and middle-income economies."

They say their estimates are "extremely conservative," and that the amount of illicit capital leaving these countries is likely much higher.