The balance of payments statistics (BoP) describe the external stability of the economy in real and financial transactions and forms a part of the system of national accounts. The balance of payments is comprised of current, capital and financial accounts. The current account depicts the effects of foreign transactions (such as the trade in goods and services, income and current transfers) on the national income and on the balance of savings and investments in the economy. The capital account contains capital transfers. The financial account describes how the current account surplus or deficit is invested or financed to and from abroad, respectively. It comprises foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, other investment, financial derivatives and changes in the central bank reserves.
The international investment position statistics illustrate the external asset and liability stock cumulated as a result of financial account capital flows. The statistics are recorded at the end of the period.