
Austria has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with a high per capita gross domestic product. The country has a strong economy with a highly qualified and motivated workforce, and its top economic sectors are services, industry, and agriculture. Vienna, its capital, is a finance and consulting hub and is known for its law firms and banks. Austria has achieved sustained economic growth since World War II, and its membership in the EU has brought economic benefits and increased international competitiveness. The country boasts a low unemployment rate of 4.8% and has a large pool of available skilled labour, ranking fifth in the world for labour freedom behind Denmark, Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | High |
| Unemployment rate | Low (4.8%) |
| Skilled labour | High |
| Loyalty of workers to company goals | High |
| Productivity | High |
| Quality standards | High |
| International ranking | 5th |
| GDP per capita | High |
| Main economic sectors | Services, industry, agriculture |
| Tourism | 10% of GDP |
| Economic growth | Steady |
| Economic growth rate in 2016 | 1.5% |
| Status | High-income parliamentary democracy |
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What You'll Learn

Austria's highly-skilled workforce
Austria has a highly-skilled workforce, with a large number of highly-qualified workers. The country has a points-based system for assessing the skills of immigrants, with criteria including academic qualifications, professional experience, language skills, and age. Those who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a Red-White-Red Card, which entitles them to fixed-term settlement and unlimited labour market access.
Vienna, in particular, has a highly skilled workforce, with many leading law firms and banks that are among the top corporations in business with new EU member states. The city has also become a hub for finance and consulting, and its GDP per capita is one of the highest in Europe.
Austria's sustained economic growth since World War II has been accompanied by improvements in its international competitiveness. The country's membership in the EU has also brought economic benefits and attracted foreign investment due to its access to the single European market.
The service sector generates the majority of Austria's GDP, with tourism accounting for around 10%. The country's economy is also supported by its rich collection of collectors' coins, which have a face value ranging from 10 to 100 euros and are a legacy of its long history of minting silver and gold coins.
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Austria's unemployment rate
Austria has achieved sustained economic growth since the end of World War II. The Austrian economy grew at a rate of more than 5% annually in the 1950s, and about 4.5% throughout most of the 1960s. Austria's GDP growth has varied between 1% and 3.3% between 2002 and 2006. As of 2016, it was at 1.5%.
Vienna, Austria's capital, is ranked as the fifth-richest NUTS-2 region within Europe. Its GDP per capita reached €38,632. Vienna has established itself as a finance and consulting hub and acts as a gateway to the East. The service sector generates the majority of Austria's GDP, and tourism is a significant contributor, accounting for about 10% of the country's GDP.
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Austria's economic stability
Austria has achieved sustained economic growth since the end of World War II. The rebuilding efforts in the 1950s led to an average annual growth rate of more than 5% in real terms, which averaged about 4.5% throughout most of the 1960s. Austria's economy continued to grow steadily between 2002 and 2006, ranging from 1% to 3.3%. In 1995, Austria became a member of the EU, which brought economic benefits and challenges. EU membership has attracted foreign investors due to Austria's access to the single European market.
Vienna, the finance and consulting hub of Austria, has established itself as the "door to the East" in recent decades. Viennese law firms and banks are among the leading corporations in business with the new EU member states. Austria's service sector generates the vast majority of its GDP, with tourism accounting for around 10%. In 2001, Austria was the tenth most visited country in the world, with over 18.2 million tourists.
However, Austria's economy has faced some challenges in recent years. In 2023, the country experienced weak industrial growth, declining real wages, and a slump in investment, causing a 1% drop in GDP. High inflation and interest rates, as well as energy costs, have impacted investment, particularly in the construction sector. Despite this, Austria's economy is projected to recover in 2025, with GDP growth expected to reach 1%. The government deficit is also forecast to rise to 3.7% of GDP in 2025 due to increased spending on pensions and social benefits. The public debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to rise above 80% of GDP.
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Austria's main economic sectors
Austria has a highly developed social market economy, with a strong service sector that generates the majority of its GDP. In 2022, the service sector contributed 62.14% of Austria's GDP, while industry contributed 26.11% and agriculture contributed 1.39%. Vienna, the country's financial and consulting hub, is home to numerous leading law firms and banks that play a significant role in the economy.
Tourism is a vital component of Austria's economy, accounting for approximately 10% of its GDP. In 2001, the country welcomed over 18.2 million visitors, ranking tenth globally in international tourism. Winter ski resorts, such as Arlberg and Kitzbühel, have become increasingly popular among Eastern Europeans, Russians, and Americans, reducing the sector's historical dependence on German guests.
Austria's logistics, traffic, and transportation industries are thriving, reporting growth in both employment and productivity. The country's well-developed infrastructure, including commuter trains, autobahns, railways, cabs, ships, and air transport, facilitates the efficient movement of people and cargo domestically and internationally.
The electronics and electrics industries are another cornerstone of Austria's economy, with an impressive export ratio of over 69.7%. This sector encompasses a diverse range of fields, including mechatronics, electrical engineering, car electronics, automotive suppliers, control engineering, and plant technicians. The electronics industry is renowned for its innovation, product diversity, research capabilities, and expertise.
The food and beverage industry is also integral to Austria's economic growth, contributing about 12% to the country's GDP. Austrian food products are highly popular globally, and the country boasts modern and traditional resources for food production. Additionally, innovative manufacturing processes, combined with international agricultural trade, contribute to a diverse range of food and beverage offerings.
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Austria's international competitiveness
Austria has a highly developed social market economy, with a strong service sector that generates the majority of its GDP. Vienna, in particular, has become a finance and consulting hub, with its law firms and banks leading the way in doing business with new EU member states. The country also has a highly efficient and robust social security system, with social expenditure accounting for about 29.4% of GDP.
Austria's economy is the 13th largest in the OECD in terms of GDP, and it is one of the 14 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. Vienna, specifically, is the fifth richest NUTS-2 region in Europe, with a GDP per capita of €38,632. The country has achieved sustained economic growth since World War II, with an average annual growth rate of more than 5% in the 1950s and around 4.5% in the 1960s. Austria's membership in the EU has also attracted foreign investors, boosting its economy.
Austria's competitiveness in the global market is reflected in its ranking of 21st in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This ranking is based on 103 indicators, including macroeconomic stability, good infrastructure, reliable public institutions, and innovation performance. Austria's macroeconomic stability is demonstrated through its favourable budget developments and low inflation rates. The country also scores well in the quality of traditional infrastructure, such as roads, railways, electricity, and water supply, as well as in legal security, such as intellectual property rights and an independent judiciary.
However, Austria's competitiveness is hindered by some factors, including a high burden of public regulations, limited flight connections, low use of high-performance broadband networks, and high taxes on labour. Despite these challenges, Austria's overall economic performance and competitiveness remain strong in the international arena.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with a high per capita gross domestic product. It has a strong economy, closely tied to Germany, its main trading partner. Austria's top economic sectors are services, industry, and agriculture.
Austria has a low unemployment rate of 4.8%, and a large pool of available skilled labor.
The service sector generates the majority of Austria's GDP, with tourism being a key component. The finance and consulting industries are also important, with Vienna being a leading hub for law firms and banks.
Austria is an attractive location for foreign investment, with its highly qualified and motivated workforce, economic stability, and access to the single European market as a member of the EU.






























