EU Residents' Cross-Border Finances: Notable Rise in Outflows in 2022

Personal transfers of EU residents to non-EU countries have increased substantially
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Eurostat Data Reveals Trends in Personal Transfers and Compensation of Employees

In 2022, personal transfers from residents of the European Union (EU) to non-EU countries experienced a substantial uptick, reaching €43.5 billion—a significant 14% surge from the previous year's €38.2 billion. Concurrently, inflows to the EU also saw a notable increase, climbing by 10% to reach €13.5 billion, compared to €12.4 billion in 2021.

According to Eurostat, these financial flows, commonly termed personal transfers, encapsulate the money sent by migrants to the households of their countries of origin.

Changing Dynamics: A Five-Year Perspective on Extra-EU Flows

Over the last five years, a remarkable growth trajectory has emerged in extra-EU outflows. Since 2018, outflows have surged by an impressive 41%, while inflows demonstrated a more modest growth pattern, registering an increase of just 15%. Consequently, the EU witnessed a widening negative balance vis-à-vis non-EU countries, reaching €30.0 billion in 2022.

Insights from Eurostat's Detailed Data

Eurostat's recent publication on personal transfers and compensation of employees provides a comprehensive view of the evolving trends in cross-border financial activities. The following key findings offer insights into the intricate dynamics:

Surplus and Deficits Among EU Countries:

In 2022, personal transfers resulted in a surplus for nine EU countries, where inflows exceeded outflows.
Four countries reported a surplus representing more than 1% of their respective Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Croatia (2.8% of GDP), Bulgaria (1.4%), Portugal (1.4%), and Romania (1.3%).

Deficits in some EU economies:
In contrast, Cyprus (-0.9%), Malta, and Spain (each -0.6%) exhibited the largest deficits of personal transfers vis-à-vis the rest of the world as a share of their respective GDP.
This data sheds light on the evolving financial landscape, emphasizing the intricate balance of cross-border financial flows among EU member states and non-EU countries.

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