2007

Revised balance of payments statistics show that Finland’s current account surplus for 2007 was EUR 7.3 billion, representing 4% of GDP. In the first half of 2008 current account developments continued as before. In the financial account, investment inflows and outflows were smaller than normal, and share price decreases substantially reduced portfolio investment values.

For 2007, the current account surplus was EUR 7.3 billion. Current account dynamics were supported by strong growth in service exports. However, the majority of the surplus stemmed from trade in goods.

According to the Bank of Finland balance of payments statistics, there was a net inflow of EUR 3.1 billion in direct investment. Direct investment outflows were EUR 5.2 billion and inflows EUR 8.3 billion. At the end of 2007 the stock of outward and inward direct investment was EUR 77.6 billion and EUR 60.2 billion respectively. Finnish corporations' direct investment income was EUR 8.0 billion, compared with EUR 7.0 billion earned by foreign corporations from direct investment in Finland.

According to the Bank of Finland’s balance of payments statistics, portfolio investment was outward on net in the amount of EUR 3.3 billion in the first half of 2008. Investment outflows decreased markedly on the year-earlier period. The net investment inflow dried up completely and foreign investors repatriated capital. Finnish investors’ portfolio investment income totalled EUR 2.7 billion, compared with non-residents’ income of EUR 6.0 billion on Finnish securities.