Exports and Industrial Economy in a Downturn

The lack of demand, particularly in the capital goods sector, and weak growth in Germany significantly dampened Austrian exports in 2024. Only exports of medical and pharmaceutical products to the USA supported the export economy. High energy costs and, as a result, high wage settlements in international comparison reduced the price competitiveness of Austrian goods exporters and caused them to lose world market share. Due to the weak domestic economy, imports of goods also fell. This and a significant improvement in the terms-of-trade led to a trade surplus in 2024. The industrial economy remained very weak over the course of 2024 and affected all segments of manufacturing. Capacity utilisation remained well below average. The lack of demand once again was the most frequently cited obstacle to production. Gross equipment investment fell slightly in 2024. As in the previous year, the individual sub-segments developed differently. While investments in equipment fell, investments in intangible assets increased.