Prince Henri Auditoire 02 BW

Balance of payments of Luxembourg during the year 2017

04.04.2018

The Central Bank of Luxembourg (BCL) and STATEC inform that the current account showed a surplus of 2.8 billion euros in 2017, an increase of about 2% compared to 2016.

The negative balance (deficit) of transactions in goods increased to 4.2 billion euros in 2017 (+6.6%). This change is partly explained by the increase of imports of energy products and capital goods (launch of 2 satellites in March and May 2017, no launch in 2016).

The balance of international trade in services amounted to 23.2 billion euros and increased by nearly 5% compared to 2016. Both net exports of financial services (+5.8%) and non-financial services (+4.6%) were up in 2017. The good performance of trade in financial services (more than 7% growth for exports and imports) is mainly due to that of the investment fund industry, whose average net assets under management have increased by almost 13% in 2017. The improvement in the services trade balance has thus offset the increase of primary income deficit (which is composed of employee compensation and investment income).

In the financial account, direct investment flows were dominated by a few disinvestment transactions that offset each other. The portfolio investments flows including the financial derivatives recorded net inflows of 36 billion euros during the year 2017. These net inflows were fully offset by outflows in the other investments (loans and traditional deposits). As a result, financial transactions globally recorded net capital outflows of 2.5 billion euros in 2017.

Table: Balance of payments of Luxembourgbalance 1_04