In the first quarter of 2024, the German net international investment position (i.i.p.) increased by €178 billion to €3.1 trillion; that equates to 74% of gross domestic product (GDP). German claims on non-residents now stand at €12.9 trillion. This compares to German liabilities amounting to €9.8 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.