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

Downward Trend of Austrian Unemployment

Unemployment trend: Flash estimates for the fourth quarter of 2010 show an unemployment rate of 4.1%.

January 5, 2011

Demographic Development: a Future Challenge for Austria

The expected demographic development will increase expenditure in geriatric care in Austria.

January 5, 2011

Black Economy is still Difficult to Control in Austria

About 14% of the economic product evades the Treasury in the Austrian economy, but experts say the trend is declining again.

January 5, 2011

R&D: High Activities of Austrian Firms with Foreign Co-Investors

The OECD publishes its Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010 for Austria. 23% of R&D expenses are funded from abroad.

January 4, 2011

Social Justice shows High Levels in Austria

The Bertelsmann Foundation released a study on social justice issues in OECD countries. Austria is located among the top third.

January 4, 2011

Leitl Urges Implementation of Reform Plans

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber shows himself pleased by the economic data 2010 and urges the continuation of educational and administrative reforms.

January 3, 2011

Experts: No Failures in the Austrian Labor Market

The last hurdles for the new EU-members to enter the Austrian labor market will fall in May 2011. However, even the unions has no concerns.

January 3, 2011

Austrian Industry Remains on Growth Course

Bank Austria Purchasing Managers’ Index down slightly in November, but strong growth persists. Order intake increased as well as employment.

January 1, 2011

Massive Rise of Debt in the Public Sector

Austria's debt is rising dramatically. Not only the state budget, but also the provinces and municipalities are the major contributors to this situation.

December 31, 2010

Changes in Living Standard of Austrians

A WIFO study compares the required average working time of industrial workers to the purchase of goods and services over the passage of time.

December 31, 2010

Sales Drops in Austrian Construction Industry

The construction output value in building construction and engineering decreased by 3.5% from January to September 2010. The order situation is also deteriorating.

December 31, 2010

Austria's Material Goods Production Increases Massively

The production trend in the manufacturing and construction industry shows a positive effect in September 2010. Sales increased by 10.3%.

December 31, 2010

Nowotny Calls for Consistent Budget Consolidation

The Governor of the OeNB draws balance at the end of the year and gives his outlook on the challenges for 2011

December 30, 2010

Austria's Labor Market Opens

As of May 1, 2011 the German and Austrian labor markets open for the new EU citizens. Romania and Bulgaria will follow suit in 2013.

December 30, 2010

Billion Worth Qatar Holding Explores Investment Opportunities

The Austrian economy expects closer relations and potential export opportunities as the result of the state visit of the Emir of Qatar.

December 30, 2010

WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"

In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.

December 30, 2010

WIFO: Lack of Competition in Austria

According to WIFO, lack of competition is causing a growth bottleneck in Austria and requires legal action by the government and the EU.

December 29, 2010

Leitl Demands Reforms

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber calls for more Government work in administration, health and education.

December 29, 2010

Good Prospects for Austrian Exports

The outlook for 2010 is favorable after the sharp decline of Austrian goods exports in the crisis year 2009 (-20.2%), .

December 29, 2010

Chamber of Labor Calls for a More Equitable Distribution

Corporate profits on one hand and reduced working hours, dismissals and wage cuts on the other, are not compatible for the Chamber of Labor.

December 28, 2010

Raiffeisen Foresees a Weak Decade for Europe

RLB Niederösterreich-Wien expects hardly any economic growth, particularly in the euro countries. Austria is however relatively well positioned.

December 28, 2010

Further Rise in Energy Prices for Households

Austrian energy prices in November 2010 were higher by 5.8% compared to the previous year. Only gas became cheaper.

December 27, 2010

Generali Money Study: What Austrians Will Spend their Money on in 2011

More money will be spent on vacations, housing and sports. Propensity to consume is higher in men.

December 27, 2010

CO2 Emissions in 2009 Decreased by 4.75m Tons

Energy-related CO2 emissions decreased in 2009 in Austria by 4.75m tons or 7.4% to 59m tons, according to WIFO estimates

December 27, 2010

Analysts Predict Good Year for ATX

According to analysts, the Vienna Stock Exchange will experience a favourable performance in 2011. However, 2011 won´t surpass 2010.

December 27, 2010

Income Report: Workers' Wages Fell in Real Terms

In its income report, the Audit Court presents the evolution of the income of the Austrians. Increasing differences can be identified.

December 24, 2010

Production Increased over 5.2% in October

The production index for October 2010 of Statistik Austria shows an increase of over 5.2% compared with October 2009.

December 23, 2010

AAA Rating Confirmed for Austria

The rating agency Standard & Poor’s; leaves Austria’s credit status unchanged.

December 22, 2010

Austria's Export Economy is Booming

Given the high growth rates in the past year, the Austrian export economy shows itself also optimistic for 2011.

December 22, 2010

Leitl: Municipal Financial Problems Act as Growth Brake

The President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), Christoph Leitl, demands greater spending efficiency in the public sector in order to improve municipal finances.

December 22, 2010

Austrian Official Debt Level Rises

Due to the EU-wide commitment to a more transparent presentation of liabilities, the official debt ratio of Austria will continue to increase.

December 21, 2010

The KSV Publishes Austrian 2010 Insolvency Statistics

The Kreditschutzverband (KSV, Credit Protection Association) has established an 8% decrease in corporate insolvencies.

December 21, 2010

Above-Average Labor Market Data for Austria

Compared with Europe, there are relatively a lot of people of working age employed in Austria. The proportion of unemployed is also low.

December 21, 2010

Further Increases in Prices of Industrial Goods

Increase in industrial producer prices in October 2010 is, according to Statistik Austria, +4.0% compared with the same month last year.

December 20, 2010

WIFO: Economic boom persists, but also risks

The export-driven boom of the Austrian economy continues. Growth will however slow down in the first half of 2011.

December 20, 2010

Austria's Tax Revenues are Higher than Expected

As the economy developed relatively well this year relatively, tax revenues increased. The deficit for 2010 might therefore turn out to be lower than planned.

December 17, 2010

Inflation falls to 1.9% in November

According to calculations by Statistik Austria, the inflation rate for November 2010 was 1.9% after 2.1% in October. Price drivers are energy and housing.

December 16, 2010

Bank Austria´s Economic Analysis: 2% Growth in 2011

The analysis of the Austrian economy forecasts a strong recovery. Improvements in the labour market will continue, but the positive trend weakens.

December 16, 2010

More Employees in Austria, Purchasing Power and Taxes Remain High.

Austria records an employment increase of 1.2%. Purchasing power and taxes are above the international average.

December 15, 2010

Allianz: Austria's Economic Production has Reached Pre-crisis Level in 2011

Strong exports and government stimulus programs enabled growth. Despite public savings constraint, Allianz expects further upward trends.

December 15, 2010

Austrian Economic Chamber is Against Euro-Bonds

Chamber President Leitl calls for an in-depth cooperation in economic policy instead of euro-bonds.

December 15, 2010

OeNB: Recovery of the Financial System in a Persistently Uncertain Environment

The OeNB considers that domestic banks benefit from the positive development in the CEE region. However, uncertainties stay on as before.

December 15, 2010

Economic Chamber: Cautious Optimism in Austrian Industry

Industrial production is at the level of 2006; exports are still below pre-crisis levels.

December 15, 2010

Austrians spend about € 2.5bn on gifts

Spending propensity shows a rising trend. Cash is still the most widely means of payment.

December 14, 2010

Risk of Poverty for 12% of Austrians

By 2008, 12.4% of the Austrian populatin is threatened by poverty. The average of the EU countries amounts to 17%.

December 14, 2010

Changes in Trend for the Austrian Labor Market

Imminent job cuts because of the uncertain business development.

December 13, 2010

Vienna Stock Exchange: Tax on Securities Gains Damages Austrian Economy

Massive disadvantages for Austrian companies because of financing made more difficult are feared by the members of the of the Vienna Stock Exchange board, Michael Buhl and Heinrich Schaller.

December 13, 2010

Economic Chamber: Positive Outlook for 2011

The Business Barometer presents both opportunities and risks for the Austrian economy. Shortage of skills and low investment continue being weak points.

December 13, 2010

Is Austria a Risk Country?

Due to its engagement in Eastern Europe, Austria is partially considered as a potential risk country. Lack of understanding for this assessment is shown by Austria.

December 10, 2010

Economic Chamber: No More Credit Crunch for Austria’s Businesses

A study by the Austrian Economic Chamber shows the high level of satisfaction of local businesses with their banks: the credit crunch has disappeared.

December 10, 2010