Sluggish Cyclical Recovery. Economic Outlook for 2010 and 2011
As from mid-2009, economic activity in Austria stabilised, supported by exports and manufacturing output. Yet, the tentative rebound has not gained momentum, notably because the turnaround has so far not extended to private investment. Real GDP is therefore expected to grow by no more than 1.3 percent in the current year. In 2011, fiscal consolidation is to set in, whose impact on aggregate demand is as yet largely unknown. WIFO expects for 2011 real GDP growth of 1.4 percent, unemployment rising to 7.7 percent of the dependent labour force, an inflation rate of 1.8 percent and a general government deficit of 4 percent of GDP.