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
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
Equity Requirements of Austrian Banks are € 18 billion
Due to the new Basel III regulations, Austrian banks will need a much stronger capital base by 2019. The estimation is € 15 billion to € 18 billion.
December 2, 2010
Austria's Position in the CEE Region Shakes
According to the Roland Berger consultancy agency, Austria receives not only competition in the CEE countries, but the importance of the region also decreases from a global viewpoint.
December 1, 2010
Unemployment Continued to Decline in November
Both the number of unemployed and trainees show a decline.
December 1, 2010
Carinthia Back on Growth Path
A business survey in Carinthia showed an increasingly positive image. Optimism is rising.
November 30, 2010
The Budget is Finally Set
After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.
November 30, 2010
Industrialists: Destruction of Business Location Averted
The Industriellenvereinigung (IV, Industrialists Association) is relieved about issues concerning location policy, and at the same time calls for structural reforms.
November 30, 2010
Salary Increase in Trade up to 2.3%
Low incomes are taken more into account than higher salaries; the minimum wage in trade now amounts to € 1,300.
November 30, 2010
Globalization Study: Vienna Among Top 20 Cities
New York remains at the top of the ranking of the "Global City Index 2010" by A.T. Kearney. Vienna stays unchanged at 18th place.
November 30, 2010
EU Growth Forecast: Austria Slightly Over Average
The EU Commission has revised its growth forecast for 2011 slightly upwards. Austria stays at 1.7% in the above average area.
November 30, 2010
Strong Sales Growth in Goods Production and Construction
According to Statistik Austria, sales growth in goods production was 14.3%. Orders for the construction industry decline however.
November 30, 2010
Carinthia Strengthens Relations with China
The Carinthian Economic Chamber President, Franz Pacher, has signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Beijing Economic Chamber.
November 29, 2010
Leitl: Finland and Austria Have Much to Learn From Each Other
Finnish ex-Prime Minister Lipponen exposes economic success secrets of his country.
November 29, 2010
