The current account of the balance of payments recorded a deficit of 29.370 billion euros in 2024, compared to 21.491 billion euros in 2023, according to data released by the National Bank of Romania, published on Thursday.In its structure, the balance of goods recorded a deficit higher by 3.854 billion euros, the balance of services recorded a surplus lower by 1.815 billion euros, the balance of primary income recorded a deficit higher by 1.273 billion euros, and the balance of secondary income recorded a surplus lower by 937 million euros.During the period January - December 2024, the total external debt increased by 20.336 billion euros, up to 203.575 billion euros. In structure, long-term external debt amounted to 154.433 billion euros as of December 31, 2024 (75.9% of total external debt), up 12.7% compared to December 31, 2023. Short-term external debt recorded on December 31, 2024 the level of 49.142 billion euros (24.1% of total external debt), up by 6.3% compared to December 31, 2023.The long-term external debt service rate was 16.5% in December 2024, compared to 16.7% in 2023. The coverage rate of imports of goods and services on December 31, 2024 was 5.8 months, compared to 5.6 months on December 31, 2023.The coverage rate of short-term external debt, calculated at the residual value, with foreign exchange reserves at the NBR on December 31, 2024 was 100.3%, compared to 99.7% on December 31, 2023.