The Central Bank of Taiwan published balance of payments data for 2025 Q1 showing a current account surplus of USD 30.23bn, a net asset increase of USD 28.23bn on the financial account, and a USD 0.09bn decline in reserve assets. The current account surplus was USD 0.30bn smaller than in the same quarter a year earlier. Within the current account, the goods trade surplus widened by USD 2.70bn year on year to USD 27.23bn, while the services account deficit widened by USD 0.73bn to USD 2.98bn, mainly due to higher travel expenditures. The primary income surplus narrowed by USD 2.50bn to USD 6.95bn, reflecting lower residents’ income from outward direct investment, and the secondary income deficit decreased by USD 0.23bn to USD 0.98bn. On the financial account, direct investment recorded a net asset increase of USD 4.04bn, while portfolio investment recorded a net asset increase of USD 31.76bn as residents increased overseas portfolio investment by USD 12.25bn and nonresidents reduced portfolio investment by USD 19.51bn, mainly through trimming holdings of Taiwanese equities; financial derivatives posted a net asset increase of USD 0.30bn and other investment recorded a net asset decrease of USD 7.86bn, mainly reflecting higher liabilities as nonresident deposits with the banking sector increased. The next balance of payments release is scheduled for 16:20 on August 20, 2025.
Central Bank of Taiwan 2025-05-20
Central Bank of Taiwan reports USD 30.23bn current account surplus in 2025 Q1 balance of payments
The Central Bank of Taiwan reported a Q1 2025 current account surplus of USD 30.23bn, with a net asset increase of USD 28.23bn in the financial account and a USD 0.09bn decline in reserve assets. The goods trade surplus widened by USD 2.70bn to USD 27.23bn, while the services account deficit increased due to higher travel expenditures. Portfolio investment saw a net asset increase of USD 31.76bn, driven by residents' increased overseas investments and nonresidents reducing equity holdings.