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
Austria Confirms Top Ranking in EU Unemployment Statistics
The Austrian unemployment rate continued to decline in July. It dropped to 3.7% from 3.9% in June.
August 31, 2011
Strong Growth in Industrial and Construction Turnover
Positive production trends in industry and construction in May 2011; total turnover up 18.7%. Automotive industry and engineering are dominant factors.
August 30, 2011
Slight Increase in Construction Output
Austrian output of construction of buildings and civil engineering increased by 1.9% in the period from January to May 2011. Volume of orders grew 7.9%.
August 30, 2011
Rapid Increase in Household Energy Prices
Austrian energy prices rose by 10.9% year-on-year. Diesel and gasoline were main drivers with a plus of 19.3% and 14.2%, respectively.
August 29, 2011
IHS: No Zero Deficit until 2021
The research institute calculated that Austria will not be able to achieve a balanced budget in the next ten years. Felderer calls for reforms of the pension and healthcare systems.
August 24, 2011
Production Index: Construction Output Down 3%
Production index in June 2011: +5.5% compared to June 2010, -0.8% against May 2011.
August 24, 2011
Significant Decline in Used Car Registrations
Registrations of used motor vehicles in July 2011: -7.5%; passenger cars -6.5%, lorries -11.6%.
August 19, 2011
Consumer Confidence Declines in the Second Quarter
In line with the global trend, Austrian consumers have recently become less optimistic. Major concerns are rising cost of living and the general economic situation.
August 19, 2011
Industrial Producer Prices Up 3.9% in June
The Producer Price Index fell marginally against the previous month. Compared to June 2010, prices were still 3.9% higher in June 2011.
August 19, 2011
Forecast on Savings and Loans Trends: Austrians Invest € 5,670 on Average
Savings passbooks remained the most popular form of saving in Austria. The average loan volume dropped from € 70,200 to € 62,000.
August 17, 2011
Inflation Speeds Up in July
Consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% in July, the highest value since September 2008. Mineral oil products remained the main price driver.
August 17, 2011
Economic Upward Trend Continued in Second Quarter
From April to June, Austrian GDP grew by 1% compared to the first three months of 2011 while the euro zone average was only 0.2%.
August 16, 2011
Further Increase in Construction Cost
Construction cost continued to increase in July 2011: +2.1% against 2010, +0.1% compared to June 2011.
August 16, 2011
Economic Growth to Slow Down Significantly
Industry and consumer sentiment is at its lowest level since mid-2010. The GDP growth rate is predicted to fall to 1.8% in 2012.
August 12, 2011
Construction Output Price Index Keeps Increasing
The index reached 103.2 points in the second quarter: +3.6% year-on-year, +0.5% against the first quarter.
August 10, 2011
Slightly Positive Development of New Car Registrations in July
Registrations of new motor vehicles in July 2011: -2.3%; passenger cars: +1.1%, lorries: +5.0%.
August 9, 2011
Wholesale Prices Still on the Rise
Wholesale price index in July 2011: +9.3% against July 2010, +0.2% against June 2011. Main drivers were cereals, fertilizers and gasoline.
August 5, 2011
Foreign Trade Volume Keeps Growing
Austrian imports and exports both increased by more than 20% in the period from January to May 2011. The global foreign trade balance showed a deficit of € 2.59bn.
August 5, 2011
Debt Crisis Dampens Austrians’ Propensity to Buy
Austrians are reducing consumption and increasing their savings. Only 24% expect an economic upswing.
August 2, 2011
Austrians Buy Less – Sales in Retail Trade Dropped 0.8%
Sales volume of food retail trade was up 0.3% in the first half of the year while the non-food sector registered a decline by 0.8%.
August 1, 2011
Decline in Unemployment Rate Continues
The number of unemployed fell by 4% to 262,904 in July. The positive development has lasted for 17 months already.
August 1, 2011
Start-Ups in Austria 2009: Rate of Enterprise Creation at 6.9%
On average, 2.4 jobs were created per start-up. 85.4% of all new enterprises were operating in the services sector.
August 1, 2011
Austrian Industrial and Construction Turnover Up by 10.9%
Opposing production trends in industry and construction in April 2011; turnover increased by 10.9%. Energy and metal industry are dominant factors.
July 29, 2011
Construction Output Down by 3.4%
Austrian output of construction of buildings and civil engineering decreased by 3.4% from January until April 2011. Volume of orders increased by 8.1%.
July 29, 2011
“Austria Was Boosted by EU Accession, Euro and Opening to Eastern Europe”
Bank Austria analyzed the development of Austria since the EU accession in 1995. It concluded that the economy has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by the changes.
July 28, 2011
Retail Trade: No Improvement Expected
After weak first six months, the Austrian retail sector hopes for increasing demand in the second half of 2011. Weak development of incomes reduces consumers’ willingness to spend.
July 27, 2011
Austrian FDI Recovered Slightly in 2009
The value of Austrian investments abroad grew by 6% in 2009 and amounted to € 113bn. Companies still felt the impact of the crisis on their profits.
July 26, 2011
Growth in Production Is Slowing Down
Production index in May 2011: +6.7% compared to May 2010, +0.3% against April 2011.
July 25, 2011
Moderate Decline in One-Day Car Registrations
One-day registrations of passenger cars in the first half of 2011: -0.7%; 5.1% of new passenger cars were deregistered within one day.
July 22, 2011
Agricultural Exports Are Booming
Foreign demand for fruits, vegetables and other products from Austria is growing. Exports went up 21% and amounted to € 2.18bn in the first quarter of 2011.
July 21, 2011
Crisis Reaches Retail Sector
Austria’s retail industry starts to feel the effects of a high inflation rate and the euro crisis. In May, revenues declined by 2.3%.
July 21, 2011
Slight Increase in Used Car Registrations from January to June
Registrations of used motor vehicles in the first half of 2011: +2.4%; passenger cars +1.5%, lorries +1.0%.
July 20, 2011
Rise of Industrial Producer Prices Is Slowing Down
Prices of industrial goods gained 4.6% in May 2011. For the first time in six months the annual rate of change was less than 5%.
July 20, 2011
Food Prices Continue to Rise Rapidly
Within three months, prices increased by more than 8%. The Austrian Chamber of Labor asked the government to take countermeasures.
July 19, 2011
Economic Growth to Slow Down in Second Half of 2011
Real growth is predicted to fall to 0.3% in the third quarter. The forecast is based on reduced export prospects, a lower number of new orders and the euro crisis.
July 19, 2011
Prices of Household Energy Up 9.8% in June
Fuel, heating oil and gas were identified as main price drivers. Compared to the last month, a slight decline in energy prices was registered.
July 19, 2011
Wealth Growth of Private Households Comes to a Halt
Austrian households’ financial assets increased only marginally to € 462bn in the first quarter. Investments in bank bonds were the driving factor with a total of € 1.1bn.
July 14, 2011
Inflation Rate Remains on a High Level
Consumer price inflation was steady at 3.3% in June 2011. Above-average price increases were registered for traffic and foodstuffs.
July 14, 2011
Missing the Kyoto Target Will Cost Austria € 800m
Total costs of missing the target for the period 2008 to 2012 will amount to not less than € 800m. € 450m have already been spent on the purchase of certificates.
July 13, 2011
AMS Announces New Record in Job Vacancies
The number of vacancies increased by 9.7% in the first half of 2011. Nearly all industries and provinces contributed to the development.
July 12, 2011
Strong Current Account Balance Is Driven by Exports
The Austrian current account showed a surplus of € 3.8bn in the first quarter of 2011. The total amount of Austrian FDI was higher than in the full year 2010.
July 12, 2011
Strong Development of Exports in Austrian Machinery Industry
In the first three months of the year, Austrian enterprises exported machinery and metalware for € 6.04bn. Germany is the main trading partner of the industry.
July 11, 2011
Slow Recovery in Banks’ Lending Activity
Corporate loans recovered faster than loans to private households. Interest rates have increased only slightly since April 2010.
July 11, 2011
OECD Calls for Reforms and Increased Efficiency
The OECD expects growth of 2.9% in 2011 and a further decline in the unemployment rate. To maintain the country’s performance the study recommends reforms in many areas.
July 11, 2011
New Motor Vehicles: All-Time Record in First Half of 2011
January to June 2011: Increase of new motor vehicle registrations by 9.9 % to 245,396 vehicles; new passenger car registrations up 10.6%.
July 11, 2011
Economic Report 2011: Government Surprised by Quick Recovery
Experts praise Austria’s relatively stable performance during the years of crisis and call for reforms necessary for ensuring the country’s competitiveness.
July 8, 2011
Austrian Banks React to ECB’s Interest Rate Decision
The Austria banks quickly passed on the interest rate hike to their customers. Christoph Leitl regards the decision as an impediment for budgetary consolidation.
July 8, 2011
January to April: Dynamic Development in Foreign Trade
Austrian imports and exports increased by one fifth in the period from January to April 2011. The global foreign trade balance showed a deficit of € 2.08bn.
July 8, 2011
Austrian SME Increase Investments
Sentiment in the SME sector is improving: 60% are planning to grow in the medium to long term. Enterprises increasingly rely on internal financing.
July 6, 2011
Strong Increase in Wholesale Prices
Wholesale price index in June 2011: +8.9% against June 2010, +0.5% against May 2011. Main drivers were cereals, fertilizers and gasoline.
July 6, 2011
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