The balance of payments records all economic transactions between residents and non-residents within a given time period and thus shows a country’s complex economics links with the rest of the world.

Current data and changes compared with the previous month

Further information

100 years of the German balance of payments: 1924 to 2024

To mark the anniversary, we would like to take a look back. We will take you on a short journey through history and show you where the balance of payments in 1924 and 2024 are still very similar and where they differ (significantly).
 

Outlook: Balance of payments manual – edition 7

Since 2020, the international statistical community has been working on the revision of the balance of payments manual. This has four main topics:

1. Stronger integration between balance of payments and international investment position
   In the 6th edition, the international investment position was established as a central statistic for external economic analyses. The two statistics are now even better integrated. This will also be reflected in the title of the manual. 
2. Globalisation 
   The revision of the 6th edition is also a sign of increasing globalisation. In the 7th edition, the role of multinational enterprises is highlighted in particular. 
3. Digitalisation 
   Progressive digitalisation is having a strong impact on an increasing number of sectors in the economy. The manual takes this into account and explains how digitalisation can be reflected in the mapping of transactions in statistics. 
4. Islamic Finance 
   The terms and phenomena of the external sector have so far been strongly oriented towards the Western financial system. The new edition will also discuss how Islamic finance instruments fit into the framework of external 
   economic statistics.

The International Monetary Fund is planning to publish the new balance of payments manual as of April 2025. The countries of the European Union have already decided to compile the external economic statistics from 2029 onwards in accordance with the new requirements.

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