Balance of payments - calculation
The IB exams will use a standard structure for the balance of payments. This will be as follows:
Credits (+), Debits (-) | $m (2011) | |
---|---|---|
Current account | ||
1 | Exports of goods | 555 |
2 | Imports of goods | -635 |
3 | Balance of trade in goods | -80 |
4 | Exports of services | 185 |
5 | Imports of services | -215 |
6 | Balance of trade in services | -30 |
7 | Income receipts (investment income) | 225 |
8 | Income payments (investment income) | -215 |
9 | Net income receipts (investment income) | 10 |
10 | Current transfers (net) | -35 |
11 | Net income flows | -25 |
12 | Current account balance | -135 |
Capital account | ||
13 | Capital account transactions (net) | 25 |
Financial account | ||
14 | Direct investment, net | 55 |
15 | Portfolio investment, net | -15 |
16 | Reserve assets funding | 45 |
17 | Errors and omissions | 25 |
18 | Capital and financial account balance | 135 |
You need to be able to calculate any of these figures if they are missing. Try the following examples. Once you have done the calculations, follow the links below for the answers to see if you were correct.
Calculation example (1)
Fill in the missing figures from the balance of payments account for Country B given below:
Credits (+), Debits (-) | $m (2011) | |
---|---|---|
Current account | ||
1 | Exports of goods | ?? |
2 | Imports of goods | -425 |
3 | Balance of trade in goods | -40 |
4 | Exports of services | 165 |
5 | Imports of services | -185 |
6 | Balance of trade in services | ?? |
7 | Income receipts (investment income) | 190 |
8 | Income payments (investment income) | ?? |
9 | Net income receipts (investment income) | 15 |
10 | Current transfers (net) | -50 |
11 | Net income flows | ?? |
12 | Current account balance | ?? |
Capital account | ||
13 | Capital account transactions (net) | 40 |
Financial account | ||
14 | Direct investment, net | 65 |
15 | Portfolio investment, net | -50 |
16 | Reserve assets funding | 20 |
17 | Errors and omissions | 20 |
18 | Capital and financial account balance | ?? |
Calculation example (2)
Fill in the missing figures from the balance of payments account for Country B given below:
Credits (+), Debits (-) | $m (2011) | |
---|---|---|
Current account | ||
1 | Exports of goods | 1545 |
2 | Imports of goods | -1305 |
3 | Balance of trade in goods | ?? |
4 | Exports of services | 490 |
5 | Imports of services | -365 |
6 | Balance of trade in services | ?? |
7 | Income receipts (investment income) | 410 |
8 | Income payments (investment income) | -525 |
9 | Net income receipts (investment income) | ?? |
10 | Current transfers (net) | -70 |
11 | Net income flows | ?? |
12 | Current account balance | ?? |
Capital account | ||
13 | Capital account transactions (net) | ?? |
Financial account | ||
14 | Direct investment, net | -220 |
15 | Portfolio investment, net | -95 |
16 | Reserve assets funding | 25 |
17 | Errors and omissions | -30 |
18 | Capital and financial account balance | ?? |