Germany’s financial ties with the rest of the world intensified further in 2011, partly due to the crisis. However, growth in cross-border positions was significantly weaker than one year previously.

The Direct investment according to the balance of payments statistics, which were published today, provide an insight into direct investment flows between Germany and the rest of the world from 2008 to 2011 as they feature in the balance of payments, broken down by country and economic sector.

Despite significant price losses on the capital markets, the financial assets of households in Germany rose in 2011 to a total of €4,715 billion at year-end. At the same time, households’ debt increased slightly to around €1,550 billion. Non-financial corporations’ acquisition of financial assets grew by roughly €209 billion and thus surpassed the increase in their external financing, which amounted to just under €190 billion.