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

European Commission Approves Further EUR 4 Billion for Austrian Companies

Further EUR 4 billion intended to help Austrian companies sustain the Covid-19 crisis were approved by the European Commission. Grants and guarantees of up to EUR 800,000 per company can be given out in cases of hardship and danger of bankruptcy.

September 22, 2020

Swiss President Welcomes Kurz

Swiss President Sommaruga and Austria's Chancellor Kurz met near Bern to discuss current topics related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the cooperation between the two countries. Kurz also met with CEOs of leading Swiss pharmaceutical companies to discuss the current vaccine developments.

September 21, 2020

Zelensky Visits Austria

Ukrainian President Zelensky came to Austria to visit President Van der Bellen, Chancellor Kurz and President of the National Council Sobotka. The topics comprised the successful bilateral economic relations and regional conflicts in the Ukraine.

September 16, 2020

Anniversary Exhibition "Vienna International Center"

The City of Vienna dedicates an entire exhibition in the Vienna City Hall to the over 40th anniversary of the Vienna International Center. The exhibition can be seen until October 30.

September 16, 2020

Foreign Ministers of Central Five Meet in Slovenia

The heads of diplomacy of Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria conducted a working meeting with the topics being the fight against a possible second wave of rising Covid-19 cases and other foreign affairs issues.

September 16, 2020

Sacher Hotels Lay Off 140 Employees

The dramatic situation in Austria's tourism industry does not even spare one of the most prestigious hotels in Europe. The Sacher Hotels, located in Vienna and Salzburg, have announced the dismissal of 140 employees.

September 15, 2020

Digital Days 2020 on the "Digital Capital of the People"

The Digital Days 2020 organized by the City of Vienna will be held as an online conference with the main theme being "Digital Capital of the People". It will take place from September 30 to October 1 and registration is free of charge.

September 14, 2020

Suspension of Restrictions Between Hungary and Austria

Hungary has lifted the 30-kilometer and 24-hour restrictions for commuters from Austria. This makes cross-border life and business significantly easier and allows the trading relationship between the two countries to flourish again.

September 14, 2020

2,300 Potential Job Losses in Steyr

The German truck and bus subsidiary MAN announced that 9,500 jobs are in danger due to reorganization of the company. 2,300 and therefore the total workforce of the production site in Steyr, Austria might be included in the cut.

September 11, 2020

Japan's Abe Thanked Kurz for Cooperation

In a telephone summit, Japan's Prime Minister Abe and Austria's Chancellor Kurz wished each other farewell since Abe will step down as Japan's leading politician due to health issues.

September 10, 2020

Slovak-3 Summit with Matovič, Babiš, and Kurz

The Slovak-3 Summit with the highest officials from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria took place in Vienna. The topics comprised cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and the overall relations between the three neighboring countries.

September 10, 2020

Eurogroup President Donohoe Met Blümel

New Eurogroup President Donohoe and Austrian Finance Minister Blümel met at a round table discussion on "Europe's Comeback". Topics were the strength of a common currency union and strategies on how to achieve the economic comeback.

September 9, 2020

EU Puts a Hold on Austria's Fixed Cost Subsidies

The European Commission has questioned Austria's newly introduced fixed cost subsidy to the surprise of many Austrian politicians and experts. Companies in the sectors tourism and export were predominantly planned to be subsidized.

September 9, 2020

Meeting Between Janša and Kurz

Slovenia's Prime Minister Janša and President Pahor welcomed Chancellor Kurz for a working visit. All three politicians highlighted the important bilateral economic and political relations.

September 8, 2020

Foreign Trade Has Partially Recovered from Crisis

According to the latest report from Statistics Austria, imports and exports are only slightly behind last year's number indicating an upwards trend after Covid-19 has impacted foreign trade significantly.

September 8, 2020

Climate Protection Minister Presents Measures Against Plastic Flood

Climate Protection Minister Gewessler announces a three-point plan to tackle Austria's plastic waste. These measures include a deposit system, a producer's levy and a reusable quota.

September 7, 2020

WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge

The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.

September 7, 2020

"Massive New Debt" in 2021

Federal Minister Blümel announces massive new government borrowing for next year in order to tackle the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. He hopes to return to meeting the Maastricht criteria again in the next years.

September 7, 2020

EU Supports Young Researchers with EUR 677 Million

The European Commission is providing a total of EUR 677 million to over 400 recipients of a "Starting Grant" from the European Research Council. Eleven of the selected junior researchers are conducting research at Austrian institutions.

September 4, 2020

Berlin Will Welcome Delegation of the Austrian National Council

The German capital will be host to a meeting between several German politicians and a delegation from the Austrian National Council. The main topics comprise measures to cope with the Covid-19 crisis and EU issues.

September 4, 2020

Climate and Energy Goals: Additional Measures Will Be Needed for Austria

Austria's Ministry for Climate Protection recognizes the need for additional protective measures in order to meet the climate targets established by the European Union. An increases of investments in sustainable ideas is demanded.

September 3, 2020

Massive Drop in the Austrian Service Sector Turnover in 2nd Quarter of 2020

The service sector experienced a major decrease in turnover by 27.9% less than in the same timeframe of the previous year. The sectors "accommodation and gastronomy" and "other economic services" like travel agencies declined at the most.

September 3, 2020

Austrian Technology Company Kapsch Will Cut Around 400 Jobs

Vienna-based company Kapsch is likely to cut about 400 jobs globally in the near future. The company has commenced a transformation program that will allow it to be successful in the future.

September 3, 2020

Hungary Recognizes Sobotka for Development of Bilateral Relations

The Hungarian government has awarded Austria's President of the National Council Sobotka the Commander's Cross for his efforts to further bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote the perception of Hungary's position in the EU.

September 3, 2020

Dombrovskis in Alpbach: Economy Must Serve All People

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Dombrovskis highlights the importance of the young generation in rebuilding the economy after Covid-19. Unemployment needs to be tackled and sustainability and digital innovation will be supported.

September 2, 2020

Higher Unemployment Rate in Euro Zone, Decreasing Numbers in Austria

Even though many EU Member States have loosened Covid-19 containment measures, unemployment increased once again in the euro zone. Austria's rate decreased slightly from June to July 2020.

September 2, 2020

New Investment Subsidy Should Encourage Businesses to Invest

In order to encourage more investments, the Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs implemented a subsidy for new investments with focus on digitalization, life science, health and sustainability. The subsidy does not have to be paid back and businesses can apply for it from now on.

September 1, 2020

Schallenberg: "The EU Has Reached a Turning Point in the Relations With Turkey"

Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg explains the current relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The recent developments in the easter Mediterranean are testing the relation once again.

September 1, 2020

Economic Sentiment in Austria and the EU Brightened Further in August

Businesses and the population of the EU still have below-average economic sentiment although the expectations improved over the last month. The sharp decline due to Covid-19 is made up by about 60 % already.

August 31, 2020

National Council President Sobotka Met Slovak and Czech Counterparts, Kollár and Vondráček

Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invited his Slovak and Czech counterparts, Boris Kollár and Radek Vondráček, to discuss the cooperation between the three neighboring countries and other political issues.

August 31, 2020

Industry at Alpbach Technology Talks: Austria's Federation of Industries Demands to Start the Technology Offensive Now

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung) Georg Knill used the European Forum Alpbach to underline the importance of research, technology and innovation for a wealthy future economy.

August 28, 2020

German-Speaking Finance Ministers Met in Vienna

Vienna hosted the tenth informal meeting of the German-speaking finance ministers. Representatives of Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria took part in discussions about Covid-19 and the future of taxes.

August 28, 2020

Student Apartments Are Getting more Expensive in Austria

In 4 out of 6 student cities across Austria, the rent for single apartments which are mostly used by students are increasing. Only in Graz and in Linz the cost of the rent is experiencing a slight decline.

August 27, 2020

Austrian Construction Company Porr Reports Losses in the Second Quarter of 2020

The second largest construction company in Austria, Porr, recorded losses in the first half of the year 2020. The obvious reason: Covid-19 and the subsequent shutdowns and restrictions.

August 27, 2020

Van der Bellen Promoted a Common, Greener European Future at the 75th European Forum Alpbach

Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen opened the 75th European Forum Alpbach with his speech that focused on international cooperation and an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.

August 26, 2020

After Discussions in Austria: IHS and WIFO Against Statutory Reduction of Working Hours

Austrian economic research institutes IHS and WIFO are both against a reduction of working hours. According to the experts, training and retraining for the unemployed would be better approaches.

August 26, 2020

US and British Universities At the Top, Austria's Universities are Mid-Table

Similar to the recent years, British and US universities are dominating the newly published "Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities". Austria's best result was a ranking in between 151 to 200 by the University of Vienna.

August 26, 2020

Kurz is Giving a Speech with 3 Major Topics

On Friday, Chancellor Kurz is giving a speech concerning the current situation in Austria and the planned political content of the following months. The three major topics are economy and labour, digitization and education as well as social cohesion and civil society involvement.

August 26, 2020

Austrian Real Estate Companies with Devaluations in Central and Eastern Europe

Austrian real estate companies CA Immo and s-Immo felt the pressure of the Covid-19 crisis and had to face significant revaluations of their properties in Austria, Germany and Central Eastern Europe.

August 25, 2020

Financial Assets of Austrians Back at Record Level After Slump

Austrians have never been richer than today. Private financial assets have recovered and improved after a significant decline in the first quarter of 2020 due to Covid-19.

August 25, 2020

Despite Covid-19 Crisis: Austrian Automotive Supplier Pollmann International Builds Plant in Mexico

Austrian company Pollmann International expands to Mexico where it will build a plant in order to better supply the Central and South American market.

August 25, 2020

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig Met German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz

Mayor Michael Ludwig and German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for a working meeting in Vienna. Discussions were held about economic relations and municipal topics such as affordable housing.

August 25, 2020

Austria's Second Amazon Distribution Center Opens in Vienna

Amazon opens its second parcel distribution center in Austria. 120 employees will work in the 7,900 square meter building.

August 20, 2020

Newest Report from Austrian Retail Association - Handelsverband: Top 100 Retailers Account for 55% of Austrian Consumer Spending

In the newly published report from the Austrian Retail Association - Handelsverband Rewe the top 100 retailers are responsible for more than half of Austrian consumer spending. Rewe sits on top of the list with a turnover of EUR 6.69 billion.

August 20, 2020

Statistics Austria: Inflation Has Risen to 1.7% in July 2020

According to latest reports, inflation in Austria has risen from 1.1% in June to 1.7% in July 2020. The pricing of clothing was the main driving force.

August 19, 2020

Austrian Chamber of Labour: EUR 315 Million Could Create 75,000 Jobs

According to an expert of the AK Austrian Chamber of Labour, 75,000 jobs can be created with the spending of EUR 315 million. This might be worth a thought in an economic challenging situation due to Covid-19.

August 18, 2020

European Forum Alpbach Will Be Host to Numerous Outstanding Personalities Beginning August 23

The European Forum Alpbach will be opened by Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on August 23 and will host various outstanding speakers, either in person or virtually, for 12 days.

August 18, 2020

Austrian Officials Open 13th IPU Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament

The 13th IPU Summit is held virtually and will cover important topics dealing with countless inequalities women face today. The organization of the event is a common effort between the Austrian Parliament and the United Nations.

August 18, 2020

Visit of US Secretary of State to Austria Results in a Joint Declaration by Austria and the United States

A joint declaration by Austria and United States was issued as part of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Austria. The declaration included, among other topics, commitment to rebuilding efforts after the Covid-19 crisis and the creation of an even better bilateral dialogue.

August 15, 2020

Austria's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs: New EU Trade Agreement with Vietnam Opens Doors

New EU trade agreement with Vietnam is likely to open doors to a very profitable market for Austrian businesses. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Schramböck hopes that domestic companies can capitalize on the favorable conditions in the future.

August 1, 2020