2021 saw Germany’s current account surplus rise by €26½ billion to €265½ billion. The balance grew by ½ percentage point to 7½% of gross domestic product. The ratio thus more or less returned to its pre-pandemic level, after the short-lived decline in the previous year.

The concepts and methodological standards for compiling external sector statistics are set out in numerous international manuals. These are currently being revised.

In 2019, the number of foreign corporate units with German investors increased slightly. The annual turnover generated in these corporate units increased by 98 billion to over 2.6 trillion euros.

Germany’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks fell by €10 billion to €1,376 billion in 2020. This decline was mainly due to negative exchange rate effects, which led to a lower valuation of the stocks, a Bundesbank press release on these figures explains. The same period saw stocks of FDI in Germany increase by €39 billion to €845 billion.

As of 16 April 2020, the Bundesbank’s statistical publications will appear in a new format. In future, Statistical Series with partially amended content will be made available instead of Statistical Supplements. A modular publication structure will enable each issue to be updated on an ongoing basis and accommodate flexible download options.