Greece’s current account surplus decreased by 784.3 million euros in January 2025, yoy, to reach one billion euros, according to an announcement by the Bank of Greece (BoG) on Monday, while even more importantly, the first tourism-related numbers from the first month of the year pointed to another banner season.
According to the central bank, a goods deficit widened, “reflecting a larger rise in imports than in exports. At current prices, exports increased by 1.8% (2.4% at constant prices) and imports by 4.8% (4.1% at constant prices). Specifically, non-oil goods exports at current prices grew by 6.3% (7.0% at constant prices) and the corresponding imports increased by 9.2% (8.3% at constant prices).”
The BoG said the services sector surplus fell in January 2025, primarily due to a deterioration in the other services balance and, to a lesser extent, to the travel balance, while the transport balance improved marginally. In terms of the all-important tourism sector, the BoG said non-residents’ arrivals grew by 11.4% yoy, and the relevant receipts increased by 7.5%.
The surplus of the primary income account declined year-on-year, reflecting a drop in net interest, dividend and profit receipts, as well as lower receipts from other primary income. The surplus of the secondary income account shrank year‑on‑year, as general government registered net payments instead of net receipts, and the other sectors of the economy excluding general government recorded lower net receipt
