The statistics on services trade by enterprise characteristics enable a sound assessment of enterprises involved in international trade in services. They provide a valuable foundation for economic policy decisions and analyses.

International trade in services refers to the exchange of intangible services such as financial services, tourism or IT between countries. Unlike in goods trade, no physical goods are exchanged. Globalisation, technological developments and the opening-up of markets have greatly increased its importance.

The statistics on services by mode of supply provide information on how the service was provided. A distinction is made between four categories.

Monthly turnover data are available for industry and the retail trade sector. Quarterly time series are published for the services sector. The results for the retail trade are also included in the calculation of private consumption.

The change in the global world order and economic system isn’t a temporary phenomenon. Globalisation and digitalisation mean this change will be a perpetual process, First Deputy Governor Sabine Mauderer announced at a symposium organised by the Institute for Banking and Financial History (IBF) and the Center for Financial Studies (CFS). Hosted by the Bundesbank’s Regional Office in Hesse, this event saw participants discuss how trade conflicts can impact on the global economic system. Bundesbank Executive Board member Fritzi Köhler-Geib spoke on a panel about the outlook for the German and European economy.

German enterprises constitute net debtors vis-à-vis non-residents: Standing at €1779 billion at the end of February 2026, their liabilities arising from financial operations and trade credits, exceeded their corresponding assets of €1523 billion by €255 billion. Compared with the previous month, this is a change of -€14 billion.

Financial operations with foreign non-banks are of particular importance here, while those with foreign banks play a secondary role. The first group accounts for 70% of claims and 83% of liabilities. At 20% and 16% respectively, the share of trade credits in these total figures remains comparatively small.

The continual observation of price stability is based on analyses of price statistics. Particular attention is usually paid to the German Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), which are both published by the Federal Statistical Office and often used throughout the EU and as inflation measures.