WIFO Austrian Institute of Economic Research

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

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

WIFO: Budget Consolidation in the EU is Not Sustainable

WIFO criticizes the consolidation programs of the individual EU countries for being easily enforceable, but containing hardly any sustainable measures.

November 29, 2010

Europe's Public Debt and Unemployment Remain High

Austrian Institute of Economic Research: The revival of the EU states, driven by expansionary economic policies and export growth, is ebbing.

November 25, 2010

Study: Agricultural Subsidies Produce No Growth

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research has determined that growth in the Austrian regions is accelerated by EU regional promotional financing, but not by agricultural subsidies.

November 18, 2010

Austria: Strong Growth Again in the Third Quarter 2010

According to the latest flash estimate of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), Austria's economy again expanded in the third quarter of 2010 by 0.9% over the previous quarter (after +1.2% in the second quarter).

November 12, 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

WIFO-Boss Aiginger Calls Government for Economization

Aiginger claims for reforms in the tax system

October 17, 2010

Wifo: Economy grew by 2.4 % in the second quarter

According to the Wirtschaftsforschungsinstitut (Economic Research Institute) the growth in the second quarter was due mainly to exports and investment. For the rest of the year, however, the Institute expects a slowdown in economic activity.

September 10, 2010

Fight against early retirement - Companies should pay

The Wifo suggests that firms should pay if their employees are sick and are sent into early retirement.

July 8, 2010

Higher property tax could bring a billion

A convergence of calculation basis to real market values could, according to the Wifo, generate additional income of half a billion Euros.

July 5, 2010
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