Gradual Increase in Product Launches and Higher Innovation Expenditure

In 2025, the environment for Austrian manufacturing remained characterised by economic weakness, high uncertainty, and a cautious investment climate. Although aggregate spending on new products and services was close to the long-term average, it showed little momentum. At the same time, planned expenditure for 2026 increased significantly, signalling a cautious return to optimism. The proportion of companies launching new products or services rose further to 26,6 percent, reaching its highest level since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but remained well below the 2015 level. Borrowing increased slightly in 2025 and, in a longer-term comparison, is accompanied by higher spending momentum for new launches, while the declining proportion of credit-constrained companies tends to signal improved financing scope.