On the occasion of the 100th birthday of the German balance of payments, an anniversary volume was published by Springer-Verlag, which can also be downloaded free of charge at the following link.

At year-end 2023, Germany’s primary outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks were up only marginally on the end of 2022 in net terms, rising from €1,694 billion to €1,701 billion. In particular, the appreciation of the euro – coupled with corresponding negative exchange rate effects – played a part in dampening the small increase in stocks. As in the previous years, equity capital accounted for the bulk of Germany’s primary outward FDI, at €1,851 billion. German investors’ foreign credit positions reduced the direct investment stocks by €150 billion on balance, as claims of €433 billion were outweighed by liabilities of €583 billion.