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

Expenditure for Environmental Protection Doubled Since 1995

Environmental protection expenditure in Austria doubled since 1995; more than half is used for waste management and water protection.

March 30, 2011

Search for SME Owners in Austria

Almost one-fifth of domestic SMEs will be looking for new owners in the next decade. 57,000 businesses and 500,000 jobs will be affected.

March 29, 2011

Slight Rise in Insolvencies

Austria's Credit Protection Association calculated an increase of total insolvencies by 0.7% in its preliminary statistics for the first quarter of 2011.

March 29, 2011

6.1 Million Cars in Austria

Stock 2010: over 6 million motor vehicles for the first time; Austrians own 4.4 million passenger cars.

March 29, 2011

Economic Growth at 3.5% in the First Months of 2011

The Austrian economy is expanding relatively strongly, driven by the robust external demand.

March 26, 2011 · Updated: March 27, 2011; 00:00

Manufacturing Industry on Pensions: Structural Reform has to be Adressed Urgently

Manufacturing industry representatives were surprised at ÖGB statements. Instead of early retirements, more funds should be freed for future investments.

March 26, 2011

Austrian Industrial Production Still Growing

Statistics Austria: Rise in Production index in January 2011: 8.4% over January 2010

March 26, 2011

“GemeindeMilliarde” Initiative of Bank Austria Extended

In view of strong demand from municipalities Bank Austria expands GemeindeMilliarde initiative by a further € 500 m

March 26, 2011

The Black Sea Region is Gaining in Significance for the Austrian Economy

Austria's sound foreign economic relations with the Black Sea region could be strengthened still further. The export structure of Austria is consistent to a large extent with the import demand of Ukraine and Turkey.

March 25, 2011 · Updated: March 25, 2011; 03:52

Economy: "South Axis” Demands Recovery Program

Styria and Carinthia are at a disadvantage concerning infrastructure compared with other provinces, was the criticism of the Economic Chambers of the "strong south".

March 25, 2011

Upward Trend for Austria's Machinery and Metal Products Industry

The Austrian machinery and metal products industry has recovered in 2010 from a very difficult previous year. Orders increased to € 29.6bn (+18.3%), production to € 32.7bn (+6.5%).

March 25, 2011 · Updated: March 25, 2011; 03:12

Austrian Unemployment Shrinks Further

Increase in jobs and decrease in unemployment in the fourth quarter of 2010; job market relief in 2010 compared to 2009

March 25, 2011

Austria's Export Industry Grows Strongly

Driven by external demand, the Austrian economy shows a growth of 2.7% compared with the previous year.

March 23, 2011

Austrian Producer Prices Still on the Rise

Strong rise of industrial producer prices in January 2011: +5.0% compared to January 2010.

March 22, 2011

300,000 Austrians in Poverty despite Working

The term "working poor" is an established fact in Austria. Full 6% of full-time employees are in poverty.

March 22, 2011

WKÖ: No EU Interference in Tariff Negotiations

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber expects no interference from Brussels in domestic collective agreement negotiations.

March 22, 2011

Strong Increase in Car Registrations

Demand for passenger cars increases heavily in Austria. Registrations of used motor vehicles in February 2011: +15.0%; passenger cars +14.0%, lorries +10.6%

March 22, 2011

Austrian National Bank Expects Tougher "Stress Tests"

The EU-wide bank stress tests planned for 2012 should turn out to be more rigorous, according to the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).

March 19, 2011

Austria's Agricultural Exports Continued to Rise in 2010

Ministry of Agriculture: "Success of export initiative and focus on quality of domestic agriculture”.

March 19, 2011

Disaster in Japan Stops Exports

Current events in Japan have an impact on foreign trade. About 70 Austrian companies are affected.

March 18, 2011

Austrian Inflation Rate Increases up to 3.1%

Consumer Price Inflation (HICP) jumped to 3.1% in February 2011, which is mainly due to the increase in prices for energy, fuel, rents and foodstuffs.

March 17, 2011

Employment Reduction in Austrian Manufacturing Industry

The number of workers in the manufacturing industry fell by 3.2% in 2010. Moreover, there was a massive reduction in the demand for temporary workers.

March 16, 2011

WKÖ: "The Manufacturing Industry has not Processed the Crack Caused by the Crisis yet"

Production value of Austrian industry remains behind pre-crisis values despite a recovery.

March 16, 2011

Tax Revenue from the Tyrolean Industry is Picking up Strongly

IV (Industrialists Association) President Schretter said: "The manufacturing industry contributes hugely to prosperity; no new burdens for our companies, the costs of green electricity are an enormous burden"

March 15, 2011

Austria Intends to Participate in World Bank Projects

AWO has been leading companies to international financial institutions: the World Bank annually awards about $ 70bn in loans for development projects

March 15, 2011

WKÖ Leads Austrian Education Exporters to China

WKÖ Secretary-General Hochhauser: Hong Kong continues being the gateway to China; Austrian exports rose to over € 500m.

March 12, 2011

Österreichische Kontrollbank: "There are no Failures to be Feared"

Despite the unpredictable political and economic consequences of the turmoil in the Arab, OeKB Member of the Board Rudolf Scholten consideres that there will be no failures.

March 12, 2011

Rise in Austrian Exports by 21.0%

January to December 2010: imports considerably above, exports just below € 110bn.

March 12, 2011

2.7% Economic Growth Due to Exports

Austria's GDP increased compared with the previous year by 2.7%, stimulated mainly by exports and material goods production.

March 11, 2011

AWO Presents Business Opportunities for Austrian Companies in China

Big opportunities in consumer goods & lifestyle, plastics and automotive industries were informed in Vienna, Linz and Graz by Außenwirtschaft Österreich (AWO, Foreign Trade Austria).

March 11, 2011

Lack of Venture Capital for Austrian Companies

The Ministry of Economy considers providing funds for start-ups. The Israeli concept serves as a model.

March 10, 2011

Economic Chamber Demands Redeployment of "Manual Workers Regulation" in Favor of Research

The Austrian Economic Chamber presented a list of demands to the federal government. Critics say it is to no purpose.

March 10, 2011

Leitl Favors EU Financial Transaction Tax

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber says: "The EU Parliamen has taken an important step towards EU financial transaction tax"

March 10, 2011

Moderate Rise in Turnover for Austrian Service Industry

Austrian service enterprises have overcome the economic crisis: Turnover increase of 3.3% in 2010, employment activities booming

March 10, 2011

Significant Rise in Car Registrations

February 2011: Considerable increases for new passenger cars in Austria: +21.2%; over one-third more diesel-driven vehicles. Registrations rose by 23.5%.

March 10, 2011

Austria's Public Debt Ratio Increases to over 80%

By including again non-active budget items, which are no longer allowed under EU law, debts of the Republic of Austria increase dramatically.

March 8, 2011

Demand for Minimum Wage meets with Hostility

The proposal by the Minister for officials, Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, to introduce a minimum wage of € 1300, is mere populism, according to the Economic Chamber.

March 8, 2011

Demand for Increase in Retirement Age

Austrian Young Economy demands again a "sustainable" pension system. Less early retirement, but more later pensioning is required.

March 8, 2011

Leitl: "Research Support Should Be Pushed Now!"

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) speaks in favor of increasing the research bonus.

March 5, 2011

Hardly any Effects Expected by Labor Market Opening

As of May 1, 2011, the citizens of the countries which joined the EU in 2004 will be able to work in Austria without any restrictions. The effects should be kept within certain limits.

March 4, 2011

Austrian Production Rising Substantially

Opposing production trends in industry and construction in November 2010; turnover +14.5%. Strong increase of production in metal industry.

March 2, 2011

Unemployment: Austria has Top-Position Among EU27

EU27 area unemployment rate at 9.9%, Austrian unemployment rate amounts to 4.3%. National youth unemployment is below the average too.

March 2, 2011

Austrian Inflation Speeds Up

The Austrian consumer price inflation increased to 2.5% in January 2011. This development has been caused by rising energy prices.

March 1, 2011

Vienna is Among the Cities with the Greatest Purchasing Power in Europe

Austria comes out relatively well in a study on the purchasing power of Europe The capital leads the Austrian comparison.

February 25, 2011

Mixed Results for Investors in Bosnia

The outlook for 2011 is positive. Last year, however, was difficult for Austrian companies in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

February 25, 2011

Erste Group: Strong Increase in Lending

The Austrian Erste Group granted € 7.8bn loans in 2010 and expects demand for credit to rise in 2011 and 2012.

February 25, 2011

Tightening of Credit Policy Expected

The new Basel III rules will result in a tightening in lending, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

February 25, 2011

Leitl Fears Falling Back behind Asia

During a state visit to Singapore the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) again urges the Austrian government to undertake reforms.

February 24, 2011

Increase of Inflation Forecast

The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) increases its inflation expectations to 2.4% due to the increase in energy prices

February 24, 2011

Leitl Demands More Support for SMEs

The Small Business Act must be also implemented at national level in a sustained way, says the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber.

February 24, 2011