Training Program
Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics (BOP-IIPx)

This course covers the fundamentals needed to compile the external accounts. The course introduces the conceptual statistical framework for BOP and IIP-as presented in the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), which is harmonized with other macroeconomic statistical frameworks. Participants learn about the current, capital, and financial account balances, and how they reflect their economy's interaction with the rest of the world. Basic concepts, definitions, and classifications are covered, along with the principal accounting rules (including valuation and time of recording) relevant for the compilation of the external accounts. The course also discusses the functional categories, including direct investment. The need to integrate the BOP with the IIP for compiling comprehensive, internationally comparable statistics is also discussed. This course is being updated to include the changes introduced by the Integrated Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Seventh Edition (BPM7)
Target Audience
This course is for those interested in learning the fundamentals of compiling external accounts that cover balance of payments (BOP) and international investment position (IIP) statistics according to the internationally accepted standards. It is a basic-level course laying the foundation for the intermediate BOP and IIP statistics course. It is open to those who compile, or plan to compile, BOP and IIP statistics.
Qualifications
Some knowledge of economics and statistics or equivalent experience is helpful.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the external accounts framework of the BOP and IIP and relevant indicators, such as the current, capital, and financial accounts balances, and net IIP.
- Apply core concepts and definitions relevant to the external accounts, such as residence, economic territory, predominant center of economic interest, and accounting rules.
- Classify cross-border transactions and positions according to international standards.
- Record the main components of the current account, including goods, services, primary (earned) income, and secondary (transfer) income, as well as the capital account.
- Identify transactions in financial assets and liabilities and their link to investment income.
- Explain the direct investment framework and its role in the economy, including as a source of financing.
- Recognize the need to integrate the BOP with the IIP to produce consistent and coherent data.
Upcoming Offering
| Start date | End date | Location | Delivery Method | Session No. | Primary & (Interpretation) language | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | April 15, 2026 | Course conducted online | Online Training | OL 25.129 | Spanish | Apply online by April 1, 2026 |
| May 1, 2025 | April 15, 2026 | Course conducted online | Online Training | OL 25.128 | French | Apply online by April 1, 2026 |
| May 1, 2025 | April 15, 2026 | Course conducted online | Online Training | OL 25.127 | English | Apply online by April 1, 2026 |
Videos
Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics
This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers the fundamentals needed to compile the international accounts.
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