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'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

WIFO: Austrian Manufacturing Industry in Good Position

The economic recovery driven by exports and the manufacturing industry continued in the fall: the GDP grew 2.4% over the previous year in the third quarter.

December 10, 2010

Mitterlehner: New Red-White-Red Card has Advantages for Economy and Location

The "red-white-red-card" is to meet the needs of the Austrian economy for skilled foreign workers.

December 10, 2010

Austrian Resistance Against Euro Bonds

Massive criticism comes from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria against the proposal to implement euro bonds to stabilize the currency in the EU.

December 8, 2010

Austrian National Bank: Credit Shortage Has Been Overcome

The analysis of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrian National Bank) on loan growth shows slowly recovering credit dynamics in Austria.

December 8, 2010

Strong Growth in Foreign Trade

In the first nine months, Austria imported goods for € 82.45bn (+14.8%). Exports increased by 5.8% to € 79.69bn.

December 8, 2010

Increase of Austrians’ Purchasing Power

Despite higher taxes and lower benefits, the purchasing power of the Austrian people will grow in 2011 by an estimated 2.6%.

December 7, 2010

Sales Gowth in the Services Sector

In the third quarter, trade and services reached a revenue growth of 7.2% over the previous quarter of this year and of 5.2% over the same quarter of the previous year.

December 7, 2010

Nowotny Pleads for Euro-Bonds

The governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny, is for the introduction of euro-bonds. Germany’s resistance is pre-programmed.

December 6, 2010

Economic Chamber in Tokyo: Biotechnology as an Opportunity

The President of the Vienna Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, sees above all great opportunities for Austria in Japanese biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

December 6, 2010

Trade Between Russia and Austria is Booming

The volume of trade between Austria and Russia has increased by 30%. Innovation and modernization are core issues for both countries.

December 6, 2010

Leitl Vehemently Defends Euro Protection Shield

The President of the WKÖ (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber), Christoph Leitl, gives a clear answer to the euro critics: without the euro, Austria would have become a problematic case in 2009.

December 6, 2010

Triple-A Rating: Treichl vs. Nowotny

The Chairman of the Erste Group is not convinced anymore by Austria's financial policy; the Governor of the National Bank however, still stands on "AAA".

December 3, 2010

Stable Recovery of Austrian Economy

The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrial National Bank) is assuming a growth of the economy of 1.9% for 2010. Further acceleration is possible for subsequent years.

December 3, 2010