Foreign direct investment stock statistics in 2023
At year-end 2023, Germany’s primary outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks were up only marginally on the end of 2022 in net terms, rising from €1,694 billion to €1,701 billion. In particular, the appreciation of the euro – coupled with corresponding negative exchange rate effects – played a part in dampening the small increase in stocks. As in the previous years, equity capital accounted for the bulk of Germany’s primary outward FDI, at €1,851 billion. German investors’ foreign credit positions reduced the direct investment stocks by €150 billion on balance, as claims of €433 billion were outweighed by liabilities of €583 billion.
The German current account recorded a surplus of €20.0 billion in February 2025, up €5.0 billion on the previous month’s level. The surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, declined slightly. However, the surplus in the goods account rose even more strongly.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €11.8 billion in January 2025, down €9.1 billion on the previous month’s level. This was attributable to a lower surplus in the goods account and especially in invisible current transactions, which comprises services as well as primary and secondary income.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €24.0 billion in December 2024, up €2.1 billion on the previous month’s level. The surplus in the goods account decreased sharply, but the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased more strongly.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €24.1 billion in November 2024, up €10.4 billion on the previous month’s level. This was caused by a larger surplus in the goods account and especially by the shift to a surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €12.5 billion in October 2024, down €8.8 billion on the previous month’s level. This was caused by the smaller surplus in the goods account and especially by the shift to a deficit in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €22.6 billion in September 2024, up €5.5 billion on the previous month’s level. This was caused by the larger surplus in the goods account and especially by the shift to a surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €14.4 billion in August 2024, down €3.3 billion on the previous month’s level. This was chiefly attributable to a smaller goods account surplus.
At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets totalled €2,964 billion, thus amounting to just over 70% of Germany’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2023.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €16.0 billion in July 2024, down €4.6 billion on the previous month’s level. This was attributable to a lower goods account surplus and a higher deficit in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
