30.10.2026

Slight Growth in the Third Quarter of 2026

WIFO Flash Estimate

According to the latest WIFO Flash Estimate, Austrian economic output rose by 0.2 percent in volume terms in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter. This marked a return to slight growth following the decline in the second quarter. Industry showed subdued growth whilst services for the most part performed well; the construction industry, however, remained weak. Investment and foreign trade provided a slight positive boost.

Economic momentum was slightly positive in the third quarter of 2026. According to preliminary estimates, real GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared with the previous quarter (seasonally and calendar-adjusted). Compared with the previous year, this represents growth of +0.6 percent compared with the third quarter of 2025.

The economic recovery thus continued, following a pause in the second quarter of 2026 (–0.1 percent after +0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2026). Industry (NACE 2008, sections B to E) provided little impetus recently, with value added virtually stagnating in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter. In the construction industry, the weak momentum continued, with value added falling slightly (–0.2 percent).

Services showed a mixed picture. Whilst value added in other business activities (NACE 2008, sections M and N) stagnated (–0.1 percent), information and communication, financial and insurance activities and real estate activities showed more dynamic growth (NACE 2008, sections J to L; +0.9 percent). Value added of trade, transport and storage, accommodation and food service activities (NACE 2008, sections G to I) expanded slightly (+0.2 percent).

Mirrored by consumer-oriented services, private consumer demand also remained sluggish (+0.0 percent). Public consumption expenditure was recently weaker (–0.2 percent).

Gross fixed capital formation, by contrast, increased by 0.2 percent compared with the previous quarter. Foreign trade also provided a slightly positive boost. Compared with the previous quarter, exports rose by 0.3 percent, whilst imports fell by 0.2 percent.

Further information

The WIFO Flash Estimate is a first estimate for the past quarter. It is based on the Quarterly National Accounts of Statistics Austria and comprises GDP as well as components in the form of seasonally and calendar adjusted (according to Eurostat) rates of change compared with the previous quarter.

On 3 December 2026, Statistics Austria will publish the quarterly data for GDP and the main aggregates for the third quarter of 2026, based on more recent data.