Release of New Standards for Macroeconomic Statistics (BPM7)

On March 20, 2025, the IMF released the seventh edition of the Integrated Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7, the Manual), updating global standards for external sector statistics. This edition addresses significant changes in the global economy, including evolving economic interconnectedness, digitalization, and financial innovations. The Manual’s update process involved extensive collaboration with IMF member countries and users of balance of payments statistics, allowing them to actively contribute to the development and refinement of the standards, as well as to provide their opinions before the updates received official endorsement. To support implementation, the IMF has developed a comprehensive strategy. The Statistics Department will actively communicate the changes and assist countries in adopting the standards through intensive training and technical assistance. The release of BPM7 coincides with the release of the updated System of National Accounts, 2025 (2025 SNA), ensuring harmonized standards across macroeconomic statistical domains. IMF member countries are encouraged to implement both standards within a target implementation window of 2029–2030 to enhance the quality and comparability of macroeconomic data, thereby facilitating informed policy decisions.