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