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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
High Demand for Minimum Benefit
In the first month after the introduction of the minimum benefit already 14,500 applications have been submitted. A significantly lower demand had been expected.
November 15, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny "During the Crisis, the Euro Acted as a Protection Shield Beyond the Euro Area"
The Governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny warns to fiscal discipline and talks about economic challenges and opportunities in Europe.
November 15, 2010
Infrastructure Development: Investing in the Future or Incurring Debt?
While industry competes for sites for the development of infrastructure, legitimate questions are being raised on financial issues.
November 15, 2010
Traffic Expenditures: € 4.3bn less
As a consequence of the new budget, public infrastructure projects are being reduced considerably. Postponed projects and low-cost alternatives will save money.
November 12, 2010
Austria: Strong Growth Again in the Third Quarter 2010
According to the latest flash estimate of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), Austria's economy again expanded in the third quarter of 2010 by 0.9% over the previous quarter (after +1.2% in the second quarter).
November 12, 2010
Carinthia: Industry Faces Stagnation
Despite recent positive economic data, Carinthian industrial firms are less confident. For the coming year, a stagnation in production and in profits is expected.
November 11, 2010
Standard & Poor’s: Austria's Credit Rating at Risk
The reasons for such gloomy prospects are not problems with the banks or domestic companies, but rather the demographic situation threaten Austria's credit rating.
November 11, 2010
Erste Group: CEE Companies More Efficient than Western Counterparts
CEE companies are more efficient, more profitable and less indebted as Western companies. The German corporate sector is the only sector to compete with CEE companies.
November 10, 2010
Leitl: Austrians Go into Retirement Too Early
Those who go into early retirement in Austria are rewarded. The government should create more incentives to retire later on in life.
November 10, 2010
Construction Costs: Continuous Upward Trend
Just as previously, construction prices continue rising in Austria. There is no end in sight for the upwards trend.
November 10, 2010
Strong Growth of Austria's Export Figures
Growth in exports was 15.3% in the first eight months of 2010, mainly to emerging markets.
November 10, 2010
OeKB: Further Expansion in CEE Region
According to the OeKB (Oesterreichische Kontrollbank), the business climate index in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) showed an improvement in recent months.
November 9, 2010
Fast Growth in Temporary Employment
The demand for temporary workers has increased strongly on the Austrian labor market strong, reaching almost the level before the economic crisis.
November 9, 2010
Austerity Package: Resistance from the Federal Provinces
While cries for savings are getting louder in the provinces, declarations of both consensus and objections come from the provincial capital cities
November 8, 2010
Raiffeisen CEO Stepic: CEE Continues Being Europe’s Growth Driver
The boss of Raiffeisen Bank International Bank (RBI), Herbert Stepic, sees the CEE region continuing as long-term growth driver for Europe.
November 8, 2010
Union: Call After 40 weeks of Work per Year
The Union of Salaried Employees (GPA) presents a new working model.
November 5, 2010
Industry: Recovery Dynamics are Leveling Off
IV’s (Federation of Austrian Industries) economic barometer shows minor increases; there is a gradual return to normal capacity. Only a small momentum is to be expected in employment and earnings growth.
November 4, 2010
Working Time Flexibility Prevented Mass Unemployment
During the crisis, many German and Austrian companies flexibilized the working hours of their employees. These measures helped to ease the labor market situation.
November 4, 2010
IHS Boss Felderer Pleads for Railway Tunnel
The debate about the controversial Koralm tunnel is being enriched. IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) boss Felderer argues strongly for the infrastructure measure.
November 3, 2010
Arbeiterkammer: Labor Force in Austria Remains Highly Profitable
The representatives of the interests of workers and employees raise criticism on the extents of wage and salary increases with a self-created study. The argument of the companies about the need to build up reserves is incorrect.
November 2, 2010
Energy Prices Rise Steeply
An increase of 6.7% was recorded for energy prices in the yearly comparison. The relevance of alternative energy sources will increase significantly in future, as energy price increases are expected to continue in the long term.
November 2, 2010
Too Few New Companies?
Austria comes out of the international comparison poorly in terms of start-up companies. The major problem is the lack of venture capital, according to the studies.
November 2, 2010
Unemployment: Sharp Decline in October
Compared with the previous year, unemployment was reduced by 8%. The decline is attributed primarily to an increase in the demand for temporary workers.
November 2, 2010
Industry: Good Prospects for 2011
The general optimism in the industry leads to the expansion of production and more personnel recruiting.
October 28, 2010
Lending Policy of Banks is Stabilized
Results for Austria of the October 2010 credit business survey in the euro area
October 28, 2010
Flexible Working Hours: Top Position of Austria in Europe
Both employers and workers benefit from what the crisis achieved, according to the EU Commission. However, additional flexibility does not bring in itself greater equality.
October 27, 2010
New Budget: Details and Reactions
The entire tax package will bring additional revenues for around 1.2 billion euro. There are further saving measures for 1.6 billion euro. Reactions from the economic actors are ambivalent.
October 25, 2010
New Budget, New Taxes
The budget includes a new austerity package, which consists essentially of taxes on mineral oil, tobacco and banks.
October 25, 2010
Increase in Mineral Oil Tax likely
Economy Minister Mitterlehner speaks of a possible moderate increase.
October 21, 2010
Criticism of Austria's Allocation of Subsidies
Both the volume and the organization of the allocation of subsidies are susceptible of improvement, experts say.
October 21, 2010
IMF Considers Recovery as "Moderate and Uneasy"
Growth in Europe seems to be normalizing slowly. Dynamism is missing though, and many vulnerabilities are as yet unresolved.
October 20, 2010
Vienna Stock Exchange - Today's Winners and Losers
Daily News from the Stock Exchange
October 19, 2010
Austrian Federal Railways in Debt Crisis
Several infrastructure projects will increase the debt burden of the Federal Railways dramatically. This could bring considerable effects for the financial situation of the whole Federation.
October 19, 2010
Tax Evaders Targeted by the Ministers of Finance
Budget problems plague the majority of EU countries. In addition to budget discipline, the prosecution of tax evaders is to be addressed.
October 18, 2010
Industry Representatives are Satisfied with New Skilled Workers Regulation
Industry sees the new based immigration model based on criteria as a viable compromise.
October 18, 2010
Slight Fall in Corporate Tax
On the other hand, indirect taxes experienced an increasing trend. Despite tax competition, tax increases are expected due to budget needs.
October 18, 2010
Deal of the Social Partners on Immigration and Social Dumping
Introduction of the "Red-White-Red Card" to combat abuse in the labor market
October 17, 2010
WIFO-Boss Aiginger Calls Government for Economization
Aiginger claims for reforms in the tax system
October 17, 2010
Production Quota of OPEC Remains Stable
There was consensus in the Vienna-based OPEC. Members show their satisfaction with the current situation.
October 15, 2010
Stability Pact with Federal States Has Never Been Met
Deficits of the federal states were too high already since 2001, as well as the deficits of the federation. The surplus of the municipalities couldn´t offset them.
October 14, 2010
CEOs of Stock Exchange Alert: Vienna´s Taxation Plans Cast Investors out
The heads of Vienna´s stock exchange, Schaller and Bohl, fear that the introduction of capital and transactional taxes downgrades Austria´s capital market.
October 14, 2010
General Government Expenditure by Function (COFOG) 2009: Increases in Social Expenditure
In 2009, public finances in Austria were affected by the economic and financial crisis, leading to an increase in expenditure of 3.9%. Statistics Austria's most recent data show a 6% increase of social expenditure in the year 2009.
October 13, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny Contradicts the Deutsche Bundesbank
"The ECB should not give up purchasing bonds". Although the bond purchase program of the ECB was not needed in recent weeks, Nowotny wants to go on having it "in reserve”. The German Bundesbank warns of a too late withdrawal.
October 13, 2010
Wholesale price index plus 7.1%
The index of wholesale prices, WPI 2005, amounted to 112.8 (preliminary value) in September 2010 and has increased by 1.1% against August 2009.
October 8, 2010
Austrian Statistics - Exports and imports increased more than 12%
According to preliminary results, total imports amounted to 62.84 bn euro and total exports amounted to 61.13 bn euro in the period January to July 2010.
October 8, 2010
Austria is Getting More Popular Among Arab People
Arab tourists find Austria increasingly pleasant. So far this year, the number of arrivals between January and August grew by 21% to 91,600 as compared to the same period of the previous year.
October 8, 2010
Credit Monitor: Further Decline in Foreign Currency Loans
Such is the development of domestic loans to non-banks in July 2010
October 6, 2010
Qualified Workforce: Austria’s Target is to Attract Skilled Immigrants
ÖAAB General Secretary Lukas Mandl: "Germany has long been an immigration country. Austria also has to become one. Austria’s target should be to attract skilled immigrants, after identifying the needs."
October 6, 2010
European Cities Monitor 2010 - Vienna is the biggest mover
According to Cushman & Wakefield research, this year Vienna is the biggest mover, rising up the ranking by six places to 22nd place.
October 5, 2010
FDI - Austrian enterprises still expanding abroad; foreign enterprises in Austria stagnate
In 2008, Austrian enterprises still expanded their shares in foreign enterprises. 4 899 Austrian affiliates abroad meant a 14% rise in comparison to 2007.
October 5, 2010
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