WIFO Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Low Growth Rates Expected after 2012
In a medium-term forecast, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) expects only very decent economic growth rates.
January 23, 2012
Government to Sharpen Austerity Measures
After the downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds from „AAA“ to „AA+“ by S&P, the Austrian government aims to reach its austerity targets earlier.
January 17, 2012
Downgrade: „It´s Time to Take Action“
The downgrade of Austria´s rating from “AAA” to “AA+” caused mixed reactions. The Austrian economy urges for structural actions.
January 15, 2012
Dismal Prospects for Construction Industry
According to WIFO (Austrian Institute of Economic Research), the Austrian construction industry will face stagnation in 2012.
January 9, 2012
„We Are at the Tipping Point“
2012 will be a crucial year for Europe and Austria, says the director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The coming decade will be coined by debt reduction.
January 5, 2012
Worsening Economic Outlook for 2012
Economists and analysts expect a massive fall in Austrian economic growth for 2012.
January 4, 2012
Too Little Competition for Energy and Pharmaceuticals
According to the Austrian institute of economic research (WIFO), electricity, energy and pharmaceuticals are too expensive.
January 2, 2012
Industry Wants to Suspend Banking Tax
The new capital requirements for banks are criticized by the Federation of Austrian Industries and the research institute WIFO.
December 29, 2011
Crisis Reaches Austria’s Real Economy in 2012
Economic growth will collapse next year, investment activities and consumption will suffer from the crisis. A recovery is expected for 2013.
December 21, 2011
Austria Falls In Recession in 2012
According to analysts of Raiffeisen Research, the Austrian economy could shrink by 0.5% in 2012. Up to now, only a small growth rate has been expected by economists.
November 22, 2011
No Growth in Construction Industry in 2012
Austrian companies fear the effects of the debt brake while they still suffer from the consequences of the recession of 2009.
November 17, 2011
„Debt Brake“ for Austrian Government
As the Austrian government fears a downgrade of its rating, the coalition partners agreed to install a „debt break“. Reactions are ambiguous.
November 15, 2011
Austrian Economic Growth Slows Down
According to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research the aggregate output grew by 0.3% against the previous quarter. Exports are weakening.
November 15, 2011
WIFO Sees Growing Signs of Economic Slowdown
The research institute expects a substantial decline in Austria’s GDP growth rate. Companies have already lowered their expectations for the months to come.
November 10, 2011
Nowotny Expects Lower Growth Rates
The head of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny lowers the growth estimation for the Austrian economy.
October 31, 2011
WIFO Alarms: Petrol Price Has to Increase
The petrol price should be increased annually by six percent. Tobacco should be more expensive as well, claims WIFO’s (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) head Karl Aiginger. However, taxes on labor should fall.
October 24, 2011
WIFO Claims Property Tax
Karl Aiginger, CEO of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research calls for a significant increase in taxation of real estate and fuel.
October 24, 2011
Wifo/IHS: 2012 Brings Collapse of Economic Growth
The research institutes cut their growth forecasts for the Austrian economy by 50%. Unemployment numbers are expected to increase.
September 30, 2011
IMF: Austrian Growth Slabs
The IMF expects the Austrian economy to grow by 3.3% in 2011. Next year, GDP growth should fall to 1.6%.
September 20, 2011
GDP Growth below Expectations in Q2
The real growth rate was revised downwards to 0.7%. Wifo expects a normal slowdown but no economic crisis.
September 16, 2011
Economic Downturn Reaches Austria
A current survey indicates an imminent deterioration of the Austrian economy. Researchers don’t expect a recession but a clear downward trend.
September 9, 2011
Federation of Austrian Industries: “No New Taxes!”
The debate about the introduction of property taxes in continues. The Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) approves such taxes.
September 6, 2011
Wifo Cuts Growth Forecast for 2012
The research institute sees the current economic upward trend coming to an end but does not expect a recession in Europe.
August 31, 2011
Economic Upward Trend Continued in Second Quarter
From April to June, Austrian GDP grew by 1% compared to the first three months of 2011 while the euro zone average was only 0.2%.
August 16, 2011
Retail Trade: No Improvement Expected
After weak first six months, the Austrian retail sector hopes for increasing demand in the second half of 2011. Weak development of incomes reduces consumers’ willingness to spend.
July 27, 2011
Economic Report 2011: Government Surprised by Quick Recovery
Experts praise Austria’s relatively stable performance during the years of crisis and call for reforms necessary for ensuring the country’s competitiveness.
July 8, 2011
Economic Upswing Continues: Wifo and IHS Expect 3% Growth
Both research institutes revised their forecast for the current year upwards. Economic risks are also predicted to increase.
July 1, 2011
Austrian Labor Market Relatively Stable during Crisis
A recent study shows: The labor market has weathered the economic crisis. Politicians and companies have taken the right decisions.
June 24, 2011
GDP Growth Lower than Expected
Instead of 1.0%, the growth rate in the first quarter was only 0.9%. A plus of 4.2% year-on-year was registered.
June 10, 2011
Reactions to Treichl’s Criticism
Treichl’s criticism of Austrian politicians and Basel III rules has sparked a public dispute. WIFO disagrees and calls banks’ attitude “highly provincial”.
May 17, 2011
Styria: "The crisis is over"
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) considers that the federal province hit extremely hard by the economic crisis has resumed the upward trend.
April 9, 2011
Forecast: Austria's Economic Growth in 2011 at 2.5%
The upswing in the first half year continues mainly due to strongly growing exports. A flattening of growth is expected after this.
April 2, 2011
Minister for Social Affairs: Retirement Age to be Raised
The Austrian Minister for Social Affairs, Rudolf Hundstorfer, intends to raise the retirement age until 2025.
February 19, 2011
The IHS insists on higher retirement age
The Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) admonishes the Austrian government to raise the retirement age.
February 18, 2011
Sustained Growth
International economic recovery continues in early 2011. The WIFO business survey also indicates sustained growth for Austria.
February 10, 2011
WIFO Promotes Expansion of the State Holding
The Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research wants to concentrate all Austrian state-owned enterprises in the ÖIAG.
February 5, 2011
Austria's Budget Deficit is at 4.1%
Although the budget deficit is lower than expected, but the official national debt could increase considerably due to the ÖBB.
February 1, 2011
Bank Assistance is Lucrative for the State
Contrary to fears, revenues of the bank rescue package more than double the refinancing costs.
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
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
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
Austrian Tobacco Industry Fears Cigarette Smuggling
According to the presently Japanese Austria Tabak, 20% of cigarettes are already smuggled. The tobacco tax is expected to increase this trend even more.
January 10, 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
Experts: No Failures in the Austrian Labor Market
The last hurdles for the new EU-members to enter the Austrian labor market will fall in May 2011. However, even the unions has no concerns.
January 3, 2011
Changes in Living Standard of Austrians
A WIFO study compares the required average working time of industrial workers to the purchase of goods and services over the passage of time.
December 31, 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
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
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
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
