The concepts described on these pages are words and expressions used in statistics with a specific, limited meaning. In everyday speech the word may have a different meaning. In connection with each definition you can find information about which sets of statistics use the concept.

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International investment position

The international investment position (IIP) statistics illustrate the foreign asset and liability stocks accumulated as a result of financial account capital flows. The statistics are recorded at the end of the period.
The instructions and recommendations of the International Monetary Fund Balance of Payments Manual (sixth edition of 2009) are applied in the compilation of the IIP statistics. Guidance is also provided by the European Central Bank (ECB) in the EU and by the OECD (foreign direct investment).The IMF investment-type IIP classification separates direct investment, portfolio investment, other investment, financial derivatives and central bank reserve assets. The sub-items of other investments include loans and deposits, trade credits, other equity, SDR allocations, insurance, pension and standardised guarantee schemes, and other accounts receivable/payable. The sectoral breakdown conforms to the official classification applied, for example, in the system of national accounts.



Validity of the definition

  • Valid

The international investment position (IIP) statistics illustrate the foreign asset and liability stocks accumulated as a result of financial account capital flows. The statistics are recorded at the end of the period.
The instructions and recommendations of the International Monetary Fund Balance of Payments Manual (sixth edition of 2009) are applied in the compilation of the IIP statistics. Guidance is also provided by the European Central Bank (ECB) in the EU and by the OECD (foreign direct investment).The IMF investment-type IIP classification separates direct investment, portfolio investment, other investment, financial derivatives and central bank reserve assets. The sub-items of other investments include loans and deposits, trade credits, other equity, SDR allocations, insurance, pension and standardised guarantee schemes, and other accounts receivable/payable. The sectoral breakdown conforms to the official classification applied, for example, in the system of national accounts.



Validity of the definition

  • 1 January 2014 - 12 July 2021

Source organisation

  • IMF

Related concepts

Source organisation

  • IMF

Related concepts


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