On the occasion of the 100th birthday of the German balance of payments, an anniversary volume was published by Springer-Verlag, which can also be downloaded free of charge. In this book, international, European and national scientists, statisticians and practitioners describe the development of the balance of payments.

In the first quarter of 2025, the German net international investment position (i.i.p.) decreased by €51 billion to €3.4 trillion; that equates to 79 % of gross domestic product (GDP). German claims on non-residents now stand at €13.8 trillion. This compares to German liabilities amounting to €10.3 trillion.

At the end of 2022, Germany’s primary outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks were higher than at the end of 2021, by just under 3% to €1,634 billion net. Inward FDI was also up on its end-2021 level, rising by 6.5% to €956 billion. Although Germany’s FDI assets indicated significantly weaker investment activity than in the year prior, it recorded an overall increase of €75 billion in 2023 (2022: €170 billion). The increase of German liabilities was €15 billion, which is one-quarter of the previous year’s figure.

The concepts and methodological standards for compiling external sector statistics are set out in numerous international manuals. These are currently being revised.