The Bundesbank is expanding its reform proposals for central government’s debt brake, laying out a stability-oriented path towards increased government investment. It is thus presenting a concept that supports the necessary measures to strengthen infrastructure and defence whilst ensuring sustainable public finances over the long term, in line with European rules. 

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.

At the end of December 2022, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,721 billion, thus amounting to around 70% of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Both German assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2022.

At the end of December 2021, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,545 billion, thus amounting to around 71% of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Both German claims and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents continued to rise in 2021.

At the end of December 2020, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,077 billion, thus amounting to almost 62% of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Both German claims and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents continued to rise considerably in 2020.

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €13.1 billion in May 2021, down €7.9 billion on the previous month’s level. In addition to the declining surplus in the goods account, the main reason for this decrease was the balance in invisible current transactions, which comprise primary and secondary income as well as services, switching from a surplus to a deficit. 

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €22.5 billion in October 2020, down €2.7 billion from the previous month’s level.

At the end of 2019, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,472 billion, thus amounting to almost 72% of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The German net external asset position rose by €345 billion year-on-year.

Germany’s net international investment position stood at €2,073 billion at the end of 2018, thus amounting to around 62% of nominal gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €281 billion year-on-year. 

Germany’s net external position stood at €1,771 billion at the end of 2017, thus amounting to around 54% of nominal gross domestic product.

Germany’s net international investment position stood at €1,709 billion at the end of 2016, thus amounting to around 54% of nominal gross domestic product. Year-on-year, the German net external asset position thereby increased by €231 billion.

Germany's net external position stood at €1,476 billion at the end of 2015, and thus amounted to around 49 % of gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €302 billion year-on-year.

As at the end of 2016 Q1, households' financial assets amounted to €5,339 billion; this figure was €17 billion (or 0.3 %) higher than at the end of 2015.

Germany's net external position stood at €1,228 billion at the end of 2014, and thus amounted to around 42% of gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €248 billion year-on-year. This increase primarily reflects Germany's current account surplus last year. Unlike in the previous year, the increase occurred against the backdrop of rising gross stocks, as it had done in the years before that.

The detailed results of the foreign direct investment stock statistics for 2010 to 2013 are now available for the first time based on the new calculation method, which was implemented as part of the harmonisation measures in accordance with the new OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This has resulted in a significant reduction in FDI stocks.

The role of trade in goods in the development of global imbalances

Germany's net external position stood at €1,204 billion at the end of 2013, and thus amounted to almost 43% of gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €251 billion year-on-year. This increase primarily reflects Germany's current account surplus last year. Unlike in previous years, the increase occurred against the backdrop of declining gross amounts outstanding.

Topics: House price increases since 2010: determinants and regional dependencies, Macroeconomic approaches for assessing price competitiveness, International cooperation in the area of financial sector policies – the Financial Stability Board