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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


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


Household Energy: Prices Rose by 5.4%

Households have to pay on average 5.4% more for energy in Austria than one year ago. Diesel is 10.4% more expensive in the yearly comparison.
October 4, 2010
Austria: Economic Recovery Continues

OeNB economic indicator: After the exceptionally strong economic recovery for the first half year, the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) expects sustained high economic dynamics in Austria for the second half year.
October 1, 2010
Vienna now has its own Expat Center

In Vienna, the first Expat Center in Austria was opened. The project was handled by the Vienna Business Agency (former WWFF).
September 30, 2010


Austria exceeds the Maastricht GDP reference value by 0.5%

Public Finances 2009: Public deficit increases to 3.5% due to the economic and financial crisis.
September 30, 2010
Unemployment - Total number of persons unemployed down by 12.5%

In the third quarter of 2010, the total number of persons unemployed according to international definitions was 194,100, a decrease of 27,700 persons (-12.5%) compared to the third quarter of 2009.
September 30, 2010
Austria - Construction orders down by 4.6% in June

Volume of orders in construction of buildings and civil engineering decreasing by 4.6% at the end of June 2010.
September 29, 2010
Austria - Construction output down by 9.1%

Output of construction of buildings and civil engineering decreasing from January to June 2010: -9.1%
September 29, 2010
Austria - Turnover in industry and construction in June 2010 up 14.3%

60,657 enterprises in the entire industry and construction sector turned over a total of EUR 19.7 bn.
September 29, 2010


EU: Austria's Actual Net Contribution has Risen to 342 Million Euro

The net contribution to the EU rose again last year. Poland, with 6.5 billion euro is for the first time the biggest net recipient. Germany remains the biggest net payer with 8.1 billion euro.
September 28, 2010
Insolvencies: Declining Trend for Both Companies and Individuals

KSV expects 10% less insolvencies for 2010, but warns about the consequences of fiscal budget adjustment.
September 28, 2010


CEE Real Estate: Outlook is brightening

CEE real estate stocks are currently in a phase of brisk corporate action. Financially sound companies with attractive assets are interesting takeover targets, while other companies are being taken over.
September 27, 2010
Austrian tourism - summer season 2010 plus 1.1%

The most important summer month stabilizes the positive development of the current season (+1.1%)
September 24, 2010
Economy - Registrations of motor vehicles up in August

Registrations of used motor vehicles in August 2010: +9.9%; passenger cars +11.4%, lorries +6.6%. A total of 85 041 registrations of used motor vehicles were observed in August 2010, which is 9.9% more than in August 2009.
September 23, 2010