Austrian Economic News and Analysis

Up to 150,000 Insolvent People in Austria

According to the Kreditschutzverband (KSV, Credit Protection Association 9,028 people were forced into personal bankruptcy last year. The number of people at risk is many times higher.

January 29, 2011

WKÖ Celebrates 40 years of Diplomatic Relations between Austria and China

The Austrian Economic Chamber stresses the relevance of China for Austria's foreign trade in the context of the anniversary.

January 27, 2011

Austria's Energy Self-sufficiency until 2050

The Minister for the Environment, Nikolaus Berlakovich presents a study on the Austrian energy supply. Self-sufficiency until 2050 is feasible.

January 27, 2011

Austrian Inflation to be well above 2% in 2011

Temporary price-drivers of fuels, commodities as well as the budget consolidation spurring inflation on, but lack of cyclical inflationary pressures.

January 27, 2011

Austria's Pension Funds: 6.61% yield in 2010

Austria's pension funds generated an income of around € 800m in 2010. The annual performance is above the long-term average.

January 27, 2011

Austrian Gas Price Index Continues to Rise Slightly

The February 2011 Austrian gas price index (ÖGPI) recorded a slight increase over the previous month Compared to January, it rises to a value of 114.89.

January 26, 2011

Shortage of Skilled Labor in Medium-sized Enterprises

According to a report by Ernst & Young, the growth of two out of every three Austrian companies is hindered by the lack of qualified personal.

January 26, 2011

Budget-saving Measures in Austria are Insufficient

According to the WIFO, budget deficit and public debt are lower than the EU average; central potential savings have been neglected however.

January 26, 2011

Germany: Largest Investor in Austria

Based on the number of new companies settling in Austria, Germany is the largest investor. More than 40% of the new arrivals come from the northern neighbor.

January 25, 2011

Austria's Growth Remains Dependent on Exports

The Austrian GDP will grow in real terms, according to WIFO, at an annual average of 2.2% per year between 2011-2015. The unemployment rate is expected to stagnate.

January 25, 2011

Austrian Production Rising Steeply

The Austrian Production index in November 2010: +6.5% over November 2009

January 25, 2011

Austria's Agricultural Exports Grow

Agricultural exports were able to recover, but have not reached yet the 2008 level.

January 22, 2011

Slight Slowdown of Austria’s Economy

According to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), economic growth slowed down temporarily at the turn of the year.

January 22, 2011

Expansion of Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and Austria

Cooperation with the Kazakhstan Development Bank intends to boost economic relations with the third-largest CIS trading partner.

January 22, 2011

EU: New Early Warning System Against Financial Market Risks

Two Austrian officials point out the relevance of the new institution, which will particularly benefit Austria.

January 21, 2011

Industrial Producer Prices Up by 4.2%

According to Statistics Austrian, the industrial producer price index in November 2010 went up by +4.2% compared to November 2009.

January 21, 2011

12% of Austrian Population at Risk of Poverty

Europe 2020 strategy against risk-of-poverty and exclusion: Every sixth person in Austria is in target population.

January 21, 2011

Austria's AAA Credit Rating Confirmed

The U.S. rating agency Moody's confirms the Republic of Austria’s Triple-A rating. The outlook remains "stable".

January 21, 2011

Viennese Economic Chamber Demands Tax Relief for SMEs

The President of the Viennese Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, presents a three-stage relief model for small and medium-sized enterprises.

January 20, 2011

WKÖ Expects further Rise in Energy Prices

Due to the economic recovery, the Austrian Economic Chamber forsees further increases in oil prices. However, there also exists some saving potential.

January 20, 2011

Demand to Unburden Business Founders

The Austrian Economic Chamber demands the creation of tax and corporate law unburdening for company founders.

January 19, 2011

Reform Backlog Prevents Austria Being a Success Model

The chairman of the WIFO, Karl Aiginger considers that Austria’s future capital has been gambled away because of lack of reforms. The EU, however, is "not on track" either.

January 19, 2011

Federation of Trade Unions Calls for "Tax Justice"

A new debate is sparking off in Austria, and possibly also a tax reform. The Gewerkschaftsbund (ÖGB, Federation of Trade Unions) wants workers to be tax-unburdened.

January 18, 2011

Austrian Construction Costs up by 3.2% in 2010

Construction cost index 2010: increase of all three construction branches in annual comparison.

January 18, 2011

Recovery slows down in Austria

The Bank Austria Business Indicator sees the recovery slowing down. The manufacturing industry shows itself optimistic, consumers a little more subdued.

January 15, 2011

Poland is a Big Opportunity for Austria's Export Economy

The Austrian Economic Chamber sees tremendous opportunities for the local export industry. The construction industry could particularly benefit from the boom in Poland.

January 15, 2011

AMS Expects Marked Relaxation of the Labor Market by 2013

The Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS, Labor Market Service) foresees a significant increase in labor supply on the Austrian labor market. Unemployment will stagnate.

January 15, 2011

Only Slight Increase in Austrian Minimum Wages

Index of Agreed Minimum Wages 2010: low increase due to economic crisis.

January 15, 2011

Inflation Increased up to 2.2% in Austria

The Consumer Price Inflation (HICP) increased up to 2.2 % in December 2010. This was mainly due to energy prices.

January 15, 2011

Investment Inhibition in Austrian Companies

The investment situation of Austrian companies is analyzed in the liquidity situation report by PwC. There are still frictions present on the capital market.

January 14, 2011

Increase of Payment Difficulties for Austria’s Private Households

Estimated 270,000 Austrian households are currently facing financial difficulties and are not able to serve credit sufficiently.

January 14, 2011

Austria's Competitiveness Increases Slightly

Austria rose one place, to the 21st, in the ranking of the most liberal economies.

January 14, 2011

Austria's Trade Deficit with China Shrinks

Thanks to the rising export figures, the trade deficit in the traditionally negative balance with China is declining.

January 13, 2011

Slow upward trend in Austria's trade and handicrafts

For 2010, KMU-Forschung Austria expects slight sales increases. Support for research projects will be supported in future.

January 13, 2011

Harsh Criticism of Government by Junge Industrie

Junge Industrie (Young Industry) an interface organization of the Industriellenvereinigung (Industrialists’ Federation) criticizes particularly the pension policy.

January 13, 2011

WKÖ endorses policy of the European Commission

The Austrian Economic Chamber welcomes the focus of the EU Commission on structural reforms, consolidation of public finances and competitiveness.

January 13, 2011

Austrian Regional GDP Growth: Upper Austria Quotes Statistics

Gross regional product 2008: Upper and Lower Austria reached a nominal growth rate clearly above the national average

January 13, 2011

CEE Economic Growth Forecast: 3.8% in 2011

According to UniCredit, especially Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic and Estonia will bounce back impressively due to stronger industry and domestic demand.

January 13, 2011

Growth in Austria's Foreign Trade and Direct Investment

Austria's goods, services and capital transactions abroad grow strongly, a sign of solid recovery.

January 13, 2011

CEE: Raiffeisen Remains Optimistic

The analysts of the Austrian Raiffeisen International Bank give Austria and the CEE good growth prospects. However, there still remain known risks.

January 12, 2011

Rapid Increase in Exports to Emerging Markets

The Austrian export economy can benefit massively from the solid demand from Asian and South American emerging markets.

January 12, 2011

Insolvencies decline in Austria

Corporate insolvency proceedings fall by 5.9%, affecting more than 85,000 creditors. Creditreform considers there is still potential for lower figures.

January 11, 2011

Recovery in Austria´s Labor Market Continues

The domestic labor market´s data for 2010 were better than expected. The number of job-seekers declined by 3.7%

January 8, 2011

Austrian SME as a Source of Innovation

Austria's small and medium enterprises are, according to the Small and Medium-Sized Business report, the main driver for innovations.

January 7, 2011

Strong Increase in Austrian Foreign Trade Figures

January to October 2010: imports and exports increased by more than 15%

January 6, 2011

WIFO and IHS Foresee Economic Weakness

The two major Austrian Economic Research Institutes, WIFO and IHS, expect an economic slowdown in 2011.

January 5, 2011

Commodity and Food Prices Rising

Austrian Wholesale price index in December 2010: +9.1% against December 2009; annual average 2010: +5.0% against 2009.

January 5, 2011

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