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

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

RH Warns: Alarming Increase in Public Debt

Austrian government debt is growing rapidly. From 2006 to 2010, government expenditures went up by 18.2%.

September 15, 2011

Employment Numbers Rose in the Second Quarter

Number of employed increased, number of unemployed decreased, more vacancies in the second quarter of 2011.

September 15, 2011

Inflation Falling Slightly in August

Consumer price inflation dropped to 3.4% in August. Above-average price increases were registered for traffic and household energy.

September 15, 2011

Construction Costs Continue to Increase

August brought a further rise in construction costs: +2.3% against 2010, +0.3% compared to July 2011.

September 15, 2011

Austrian Households with Second Lowest Debt Ratio in Western Europe

A lower ratio was only recorded for Belgium. In the year 2010, Austrians’ gross financial assets averaged € 59,346.

September 14, 2011

Decline in Savings Deposits Continues

Business development of Austrian banks in the first half of 2011: Balance sheet total grows; volume of demand and fixed-term deposits increases.

September 14, 2011

Firms Budget 2.8% Wage Increase

Top management of Austrian companies will likely benefit from the highest pay rise next year.

September 14, 2011

„Education at a Glance“: Austria Falls Behind

According to the study of the OECD, Austria has a slightly rising level of graduates. Nevertheless, the difference to the OECD average is still substantial.

September 13, 2011

No Common Trend for CEE-Countries

Regarding economic growth, prospects for CEE countries have worsened slightly. However, the region remains heterogeneous.

September 13, 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

Austrian Economy 2010: Noticeable Recovery

According to calculations by Statistics Austria, the Austrian economy grew by 2.3% in the year 2010. GDP per inhabitant amounted to € 34,120.

September 9, 2011

New Car Registrations Up by 4.8% in August

Registrations of new motor vehicles in August 2011: +4.2%; passenger cars: +4.8%, lorries: -0.3%.

September 9, 2011

Retail Trade with Significant Drop in Revenue in July

Adjusted for inflation, revenue of the Austrian retail companies declined by 4.6% compared to the previous year.

September 8, 2011

Asfinag Pays First Dividend Since 2008

A pending lawsuit might cost the Austrian motorway financing company up to € 37m. Full-year profit is still expected to rise.

September 8, 2011

Austrian Competitiveness Shrinks Further

According to a market survey of the consulting group Ernst & Young, Austria´s international competitiveness has still worsened and fell from rank 18 to 19.

September 7, 2011

IMF Puts Pressure on Austria

The IMF shows itself content with the Austrian post-crisis policies. But now, Austria has to reduce new indebtedness.

September 7, 2011

Upward Trend for Austrian Service Industry

Austrian service enterprises achieve turnover increase by 4.6% in the first half of 2011

September 7, 2011

Strong Rise in Industrial Prices Holds On

Austrian Wholesale price index in August 2011: +6.9% against August 2010. However, compared to July 2011, prices decreased.

September 7, 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

Austrian Foreign Trade Rising Significantly

January to June 2011: Austrian imports rose by almost 19%, Austrian exports increased by more than 17%

September 6, 2011

August Brings First Rise in Unemployment Rate in 17 Months

First signs of a weakening labor market: The number of unemployed rose by 0.4% to 219,247 in August. Job vacancies were down 6.7%.

September 1, 2011

Strong Growth in Lending to Private Households

Loan development in the second quarter: Total lending volume grows; opposing trends are registered for new loans to enterprises and private households.

September 1, 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

Austria Confirms Top Ranking in EU Unemployment Statistics

The Austrian unemployment rate continued to decline in July. It dropped to 3.7% from 3.9% in June.

August 31, 2011

Strong Growth in Industrial and Construction Turnover

Positive production trends in industry and construction in May 2011; total turnover up 18.7%. Automotive industry and engineering are dominant factors.

August 30, 2011

Slight Increase in Construction Output

Austrian output of construction of buildings and civil engineering increased by 1.9% in the period from January to May 2011. Volume of orders grew 7.9%.

August 30, 2011

Rapid Increase in Household Energy Prices

Austrian energy prices rose by 10.9% year-on-year. Diesel and gasoline were main drivers with a plus of 19.3% and 14.2%, respectively.

August 29, 2011

IHS: No Zero Deficit until 2021

The research institute calculated that Austria will not be able to achieve a balanced budget in the next ten years. Felderer calls for reforms of the pension and healthcare systems.

August 24, 2011

Production Index: Construction Output Down 3%

Production index in June 2011: +5.5% compared to June 2010, -0.8% against May 2011.

August 24, 2011

Significant Decline in Used Car Registrations

Registrations of used motor vehicles in July 2011: -7.5%; passenger cars -6.5%, lorries -11.6%.

August 19, 2011

Consumer Confidence Declines in the Second Quarter

In line with the global trend, Austrian consumers have recently become less optimistic. Major concerns are rising cost of living and the general economic situation.

August 19, 2011

Industrial Producer Prices Up 3.9% in June

The Producer Price Index fell marginally against the previous month. Compared to June 2010, prices were still 3.9% higher in June 2011.

August 19, 2011

Forecast on Savings and Loans Trends: Austrians Invest € 5,670 on Average

Savings passbooks remained the most popular form of saving in Austria. The average loan volume dropped from € 70,200 to € 62,000.

August 17, 2011

Inflation Speeds Up in July

Consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% in July, the highest value since September 2008. Mineral oil products remained the main price driver.

August 17, 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

Further Increase in Construction Cost

Construction cost continued to increase in July 2011: +2.1% against 2010, +0.1% compared to June 2011.

August 16, 2011

Economic Growth to Slow Down Significantly

Industry and consumer sentiment is at its lowest level since mid-2010. The GDP growth rate is predicted to fall to 1.8% in 2012.

August 12, 2011

Construction Output Price Index Keeps Increasing

The index reached 103.2 points in the second quarter: +3.6% year-on-year, +0.5% against the first quarter.

August 10, 2011

Slightly Positive Development of New Car Registrations in July

Registrations of new motor vehicles in July 2011: -2.3%; passenger cars: +1.1%, lorries: +5.0%.

August 9, 2011

Wholesale Prices Still on the Rise

Wholesale price index in July 2011: +9.3% against July 2010, +0.2% against June 2011. Main drivers were cereals, fertilizers and gasoline.

August 5, 2011

Foreign Trade Volume Keeps Growing

Austrian imports and exports both increased by more than 20% in the period from January to May 2011. The global foreign trade balance showed a deficit of € 2.59bn.

August 5, 2011

Debt Crisis Dampens Austrians’ Propensity to Buy

Austrians are reducing consumption and increasing their savings. Only 24% expect an economic upswing.

August 2, 2011

Austrians Buy Less – Sales in Retail Trade Dropped 0.8%

Sales volume of food retail trade was up 0.3% in the first half of the year while the non-food sector registered a decline by 0.8%.

August 1, 2011

Decline in Unemployment Rate Continues

The number of unemployed fell by 4% to 262,904 in July. The positive development has lasted for 17 months already.

August 1, 2011

Start-Ups in Austria 2009: Rate of Enterprise Creation at 6.9%

On average, 2.4 jobs were created per start-up. 85.4% of all new enterprises were operating in the services sector.

August 1, 2011

Austrian Industrial and Construction Turnover Up by 10.9%

Opposing production trends in industry and construction in April 2011; turnover increased by 10.9%. Energy and metal industry are dominant factors.

July 29, 2011

Construction Output Down by 3.4%

Austrian output of construction of buildings and civil engineering decreased by 3.4% from January until April 2011. Volume of orders increased by 8.1%.

July 29, 2011

“Austria Was Boosted by EU Accession, Euro and Opening to Eastern Europe”

Bank Austria analyzed the development of Austria since the EU accession in 1995. It concluded that the economy has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by the changes.

July 28, 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