Austrian Economic News and Analysis

Read the latest headlines about Austria's economy, including news on inflation, growth domestic product (GDP), nation's debt and labor market

BNP: Austrian Economy Recovers

GDP in Austria contracted slightly in Q4 2011 as exports fell, but weak growth is likely to have resumed at the beginning of 2012, says BNP Paribas.

March 26, 2012

Keuschnigg: „Greece Must Leave Eurozone“

The Austrian Economist and designated director of HIS, Christian Keuschnigg advised Greece to leave the euro zone.

March 26, 2012

Municipalities: Indebtedness Per Capita on the Rise

According to the Austrian audit court, indebtedness of municipalities was up significantly over the last years.

March 24, 2012

Austrian Chamber of Commerce Underlines Importance of South Tyrol

The President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO), Christoph Leitl, met South Tyrols governor Luis Durnwalder and stresses the good political and economic relationship between South Tyrol and Austria.

March 24, 2012

2,000 New Jobs Created by Foreign Enterprises

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of foreign direct investment in Vienna. Last year, 126 foreign enterprises came to Vienna.

March 22, 2012

Increase in Employment and Unemployment

Overall situation of the Austrian labor market improved in 2011 compared to 2010.

March 22, 2012

Less Growth in Industrial Producer Prices

Decelerating growth in industrial producer prices: +1.9% in January 2012 compared to January 2011.

March 21, 2012

Banks have CEE-Subsidiaries „Under Control“

RBI´s CEO Herbert Stepic criticizes the skepticism against banking in Central and Eastern Europe. The economist Aiginger sees more advantages than risks for Austrian banks.

March 21, 2012

Moderate Rise in Austrian Bilateral Trade with Italy

In 2011, Austrian exports to Italy went up by 8.6% to € 9.3bn. After Germany, Italy is Austria´s second largest trade partner.

March 21, 2012

Austria Is Largest Investor in Turkey

In 2011, Turkey recorded $ 15.7bn in foreign direct investments, which is a rise by 74%.

March 20, 2012

Austrian Economy Recovers Slowly

The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees signs of a recovery. A recession is not expected.

March 20, 2012

Modest Economic Spring With Upward Potential

Bank Austria Business Indicator for February confirms that the economic turnaround has already begun. The outlook is positive.

March 19, 2012

“The Czech Republic Has Traditionally Been an Important Partner for Austria”

Austrian State Secretary Waldner meets Czech EU State Secretary Belling.

March 19, 2012

New Record in Swedish-Austrian Bilateral Trade Volume

Austrian exports to Sweden reached a new record level in 2011. Moreover, the first surplus could be registered.

March 17, 2012

Unemployment of Older Aged Workers Increases Disproportionately

The Austrian labor market registers a rise both in employment and unemployment of persons aged beyond 50. Especially unemployment of male persons aged beyond 50 rises dramatically.

March 17, 2012

Austrian Government Holds on Financial Transaction Tax

In spite of discordance at the EU-level, the Austrian government is convinced to impose taxes on financial transactions by 2014.

March 17, 2012

Corruption: Costs of € 27bn for Austrian Economy

Experts say that corruption increases in Austria. In 2012, adverse effects of € 27bn are expected.

March 16, 2012

Vienna Initiative an Insurance Policy, not a Game Changer, Fitch Says

The principles adopted Tuesday in “Vienna Initiative 2.0” do not change Fitch’s base case expectation that central, eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE) will continue to see weak, or marginally negative, credit growth in the near-to-medium term.

March 15, 2012

Austria Benefits from Economic Boom in Saudi Arabia

An Austrian trade delegation is looking for Saudi partners. This year, the bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed € 1.0bn again.

March 14, 2012

Slight Decline in Inflation Rate

The Austrian Consumer Price Inflation declined to +2.6% in February 2012.

March 14, 2012

GDP per Capita: Vienna Ranks 11th

In 2009, Austrian regions remained above average in terms of regional GDP per capita in the EU.

March 13, 2012

Private Insolvencies on the Rise

Long-term studies show that the number of private insolvencies is increasing in Austria. Since 2002, their number has tripled.

March 12, 2012

Working Time: 32% Work Longer than Stipulated

A study of the Austrian working atmosphere index shows that a substantial part of Austrian workers works longer than 40 hours per week.

March 10, 2012

Wirtschaftsbund: Leitl Re-Elected

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has been re-elected as chairman of Wirtschaftsbund. 92.7% of the delegates voted for Leitl.

March 10, 2012

„The Public Sector Does not Get Enough“

Klaus Pöttinger, President of Upper Austria´s IV takes Switzerland as model. Taxes would be too high, efficiency of the public sector is too low, he says.

March 9, 2012

Leitl: „Austerity Package Is Not Enough“

For Christoph Leitl, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), the recently resolved austerity package does not contain the essential reforms.

March 9, 2012

WIFO Forecasts Economic Stabilization

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) expects a slight improvement in the Austrian economic development. Upward indicators become more significant.

March 9, 2012

Imports Grow Stronger than Exports

January to December 2011: Austrian imports rose by 15%, exports increased by 12%.

March 9, 2012

Foreign Direct Investment in Austria Increasing

In 2011, a moderate decline in new enterprise settlements was registered. Investments grew by 34%.

March 8, 2012

„Going to America 2012“: AWO Supports Austrian Business in USA

Foreign Trade Austria (AWO) shows business opportunities in the U.S. to domestic companies.

March 8, 2012

Austria and Bulgaria Clear Way for Business-Friendly Climate

Business representatives from Austria and Bulgaria agreed upon a business-friendly climate and clear rules at a Sofia forum,

March 8, 2012

Bank Taxes: Nowotny Supports Government

OeNB´s governor Ewald Nowotny defends the coalition plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.

March 7, 2012

Wholesale Prices Slightly Up

Wholesale price index in February 2012: +1.5% against February 2011. Austrian service enterprises achieved an increase of turnover by 3.5% for 2011.

March 7, 2012

Public Debt Agency: “Unnecessary to Change Bonds Issuance Plans”

Austria sees no need to change its debt issuance program and is sticking to its plan to stay below the European Union’s deficit ceiling this year even as it injects cash into Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG (VBPS) and KA Finanz.

March 6, 2012

Again Criticism on Austerity Package: „Lack in Sustainability“

The President of the Viennese Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Kapsch, misses details of the austerity package. The package is not ambitious enough, Kapsch considers.

March 5, 2012

Viennese Office Market: Collapse Threatens

Although office rents are relatively low in Austria´s capital, multinational companies tend to establish their headquarters elsewhere. Real estate experts fear a vicious circle.

March 5, 2012

Austerity Package: Sorger Misses Reforms

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, sees a massive lack in structural reforms. The austerity package is a “missed opportunity”.

March 3, 2012

Fiscal Treaty: Austrian Economy Satisfied, Opposition Criticizes

After the signing of the EU fiscal treaty at the EU Summit today, reactions in Austria are very different. The largest opposition party FPÖ calls for a popular vote.

March 2, 2012

Austrian Economy Appreciates Serbian Approach to EU

Serbia officially became candidate for the EU-access. Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the “European perspective” for Serbia.

March 2, 2012

Austerity Package Threatens to Fail

The strict timeline of the Austrian austerity package could cause its preliminary failure. Federal President Fischer says not to have enough time to control the act.

March 2, 2012

Nowotny: „Austrian Banking Activities in CEE Better than their Reputation”

According to the governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, Austrian banks engaged in Central and Eastern Europe are more stable than they are supposed to be.

March 1, 2012

Rise in Austrian Unemployment Rate

At the end of February, 380,000 persons were unemployed. This is a rise of 5.2%. At the EU level, Austria´s unemployment rate is still the lowest.

March 1, 2012

VBAG´s Rescue Endangers Austerity Targets

In 2012, savings should reach € 576m. However, only write-offs in VBAG cost € 700m. The Austrian government seeks for additional revenues.

February 29, 2012

Banking Industry As „Cash Cow“?

For RZB´s CEO Rothensteiner, the increase in bank tax is “not fair”. The government plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.

February 29, 2012

Public Dispute Over Privatizations

The two government parties disagree to the sale of further publicly held companies. ÖVP pushes for privatizations, for SPÖ the idea is inacceptable.

February 29, 2012

Slight Decrease in Inflation

Decline in Austrian Consumer Price Inflation to +3.0% in January 2012.

February 29, 2012

„Banks are the Real Austrian Problem“

The Austrian opposition criticizes the rescue of VBAG by the government massively. Further bank aids are feared.

February 28, 2012

New Criticism on Austerity Package

For the chief economist at RZB, Peter Brezinschek, the austerity package is not ambitious enough. The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl, criticizes the introduction of new taxes.

February 28, 2012

Spring Boost for Austrian Industry?

Bank Austria's Purchasing Managers' Index in February confirms trend reversal. A strong production growth thanks to solid gains in foreign orders is observed.

February 28, 2012

Austria: Low Attractiveness as Research Location

According to a study among European scientists, Austria loses its reputation. The most attractive destination is the U.S.

February 27, 2012