EN
The aim of the paper is to analyze the directions of capital flows in the global economy including major lenders and borrowers, and the answer to the question whether the ongoing global economic crisis affected their structure. During the period 2003–2011 the so–called Lucas paradox could be observed. This paradox is understood as the incompatibility between the directions of capital flows in the global economy and the assumptions of the neoclassical model. Group of lenders is dominated by the developing countries, while the group of borrowers – by the developed ones. In the period 2008–2011 the economic crisis has caused shifts in the groups of lenders and borrowers. The United States has remained the leading net importer of capital, but in 2011 Germany became the main net exporter of capital replacing China at this place.