FDI into CEE fell 25% to €75 B in 2024; new projects hit five-year lows; Poland & Romania saw sharpest drops, while China led new inflows.

FFG’s €330 M core grants support 1,000 firms, leverage 3.6× private R&D spending, and boost SME competitiveness.

Fuel costs on holiday: Italians and Germans pay up to €11 more for 50 L than Austrians; Croatia, Spain, Bulgaria and Turkey are cheaper.

Austria’s official subsistence level (€1,484) is €300 below calculated needs (€1,787), with families facing up to €1,118 monthly poverty gaps.

Needs-based social aid reform with in-kind benefits, uniform standards, labor integration, and no blanket caps.

Economics Minister Hattmannsdorfer proposes amending the Income Tax Act to make holiday work pay tax-exempt again for hospitality and care workers.

Austria extends electric motorcycle subsidies up to €2,300 (L1e & L3e) with a €1.5 M fund, aiming to replace short-trip combustion scooters.

For one euro, you can buy more in some holiday countries than in Austria. This is especially true this year for Hungary, Portugal, and Spain,

Austria ranks 26th of 69 in IMD’s 2025 Competitiveness Report—strong in infrastructure but weak in economic development and government efficiency.

Austria’s transport industry battles falling demand and 27.5 % cost surge; WKÖ warns of a 10–13 % toll increase in 2026 and urges L17 truck-license reform.

OeNB now expects 0.2 % GDP growth in 2025, ending the recession; moderate growth continues despite tariff risks and budget deficits.

Knill’s call to raise Austria’s retirement age to 70 draws fierce opposition from pensioners, unions, FPÖ, and Greens.

Austria’s dollar millionaires fall to 162,300 as global count rises to 23.4 million, driven by strong stock markets.

Austria’s repair bonus scheme is paused after exhausting its €130 million budget; existing vouchers remain valid and the program will resume later this year.

Trade union leader Katzian calls the budget a balanced three-party compromise but warns lower incomes are hurt.

Foreign investment projects in Austria rose 31% to 105 in 2024, led by Germany, Switzerland, and the US, though job creation remained flat, EY reports.

Austrian parliament approves budget measures raising pensioners’ health contributions and federal fees amid criticism over social fairness.

Vienna hosted 154 congresses in 2024—more than any other city—boosting tourism and generating €1.32 billion in economic impact, ICCA data show.

94 % of Austrians value financial independence, but only 50 % achieve it; study links dependence to gaps in financial literacy and highlights gender disparities.

Austria is the only EU country with a predicted economic decline in 2025. High inflation, rising deficit, and low growth darken economic outlook.

A new survey shows that most Austrians tip regularly—especially in hospitality and services—but over 80% want taxes on tips abolished.

Austria’s start-ups face funding challenges as investments fall for a third year. Despite this, female founder rates and deep-tech ventures are rising.

Austria’s metal tech industry faces a third year of recession, with falling production and job cuts.

Gold experts forecast price surge to $4,800–$8,900 by 2030 amid inflation and geopolitical shifts.

Austrian exports to the US are expected to rise by 1.4% amid a temporary US-China tariff pause, offering slight relief to Austria’s economy.

Austria plans to reduce its budget deficit to 4.5% in 2025 and exit the EU deficit procedure by 2028.

Austria is freezing family allowance and childcare benefits until 2027, saving over €300 million.

Austria’s federal bonds have attracted €4 billion in investments and 110,000 accounts, offering secure returns of up to 2.75% with no fees.

Austria plans major pension reforms in 2026, including raising the corridor retirement age to 63 and introducing a partial pension.

Austria’s unemployment rose 6.7% in April, with long-term and youth joblessness increasing sharply.

Austria’s labor costs rose to €44.05 per hour in 2024, among the highest in the EU, with manufacturing reaching €49.40—well above the EU average of €33.50.

Austria and Greenpeace call for stricter EU rules on Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, citing unsafe products, unfair competition, and a flood of cheap imports from Asia.

Eastern Europe will maintain strong growth in 2025 despite global trade tensions, supporting Austria’s economy.

Austrian businesses report the weakest outlook since 2020, with rising costs and falling sales.

Rental asking prices in Austria climbed 4% in Q1 2025 to €14.90/m², with Vienna, Tyrol and Salzburg breaking €20/m², ImmoScout24 reports.

Austria’s R & D spending rose to €16.1 billion in 2024, lifting intensity to a record 3.35 % of GDP.

Chamber chief Harald Mahrer calls for tips to be exempt from taxes and social contributions, citing 88 % public support.

The Austrian bicycle market saw a decline in overall sales, but e-bikes continued to grow in popularity. The VSSÖ and ARGE Bicycle call for reinstating subsidies to support sustainable mobility.

Austria’s Finance Ministry predicts a 4.5% GDP deficit for 2025, signaling a likely EU deficit procedure.

Austria announces stricter controls on non-European online trade to protect domestic businesses and consumers.

Vienna has tightened regulations on short-term rentals, uncovering illegal hotels and subletting cases, especially involving public housing.

Austria is on track for a third consecutive year of record business bankruptcies in 2025, with a 20% increase in insolvencies in Q1.

Austria’s egg sales reached a record high in 2024, surpassing even the pandemic peak.

US tariffs are expected to reduce Austria’s GDP by 0.23%, with significant impacts on the vehicle and steel industries.

Officials aim for a 90% return rate by 2027.

Austria’s unemployment rate rose to 7.4% in March, with nearly 400,000 people jobless or in training.

A leaked document reveals planned cuts to police perks like climate tickets and recruitment bonuses, sparking debate amid staff shortages and overtime reductions.

Austria’s Chamber of Labor reports that 42.3 million overtime hours went unpaid in 2024, costing the state over €1.3 billion.

Austria’s parliament passed reforms to limit government power in ORF appointments and amend leadership rules for the National Fund for Holocaust victims.

Families with sick children face high companion fees in Austrian hospitals, with Vienna charging the most—up to €1,400 for a 14-day stay, KiB warns.

Austrian wine exports in 2024 saw a slight decline of 6%, with lower bottled wine exports but growth in tank wine exports.

In 2024, the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) recorded 309 new business settlements, with a sharp rise in consultations for foreign companies and workers.

Austria’s rent increases were three times higher than the Eurozone average.

Austria’s Montan University launches the “Focus India” initiative to attract skilled Indian students and professionals, to address the workforce shortage.

Austria cuts police orchestra funding, reducing performance hours and canceling the 2026 music festival.

Austrians and Germans remain loyal to cash, with 73% and 69% respectively using it most frequently, while digital payment methods gain popularity across Europe.