Increased uncertainties weigh on outlook
“Following the slight improvement trend since the beginning of the year, the UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator fell to minus 2.9 points in April,” says UniCredit Bank Austria Chief Economist Stefan Bruckbauer, adding: “The Austrian economy is likely to have grown slightly in the first quarter. This marks the end of the phase of eight negative quarters in a row. However, the current economic and sentiment indicators do not favour a continuation of the upward trend for the time being. The positive GDP result in the first quarter was not a liberating blow. In view of the existing challenges, only the coming months will show whether the recession in the Austrian economy has come to an end or just taken a break.”
- UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator fell to minus 2.9 points in April
- Falling consumer confidence dampened sentiment in the services sector in April, while pessimism in the construction and industrial sectors eased somewhat despite US tariff announcements
- Despite slight growth in the first quarter: GDP expected to fall by 0.2 per cent for the third consecutive year in 2025. GDP not expected to increase by 1.1 per cent until 2026
- Unemployment rate expected to rise to 7.5 per cent in 2025, no improvement in sight for 2026
- Energy price trend should support further decline in inflation
- Further ECB key interest rate cuts of 25 basis points each expected for June and September
UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator (PDF)
UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator – Computation method (PDF)
as of May, 2025
About UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator
The UniCredit Bank Austria Business Indicator provides an overview of the current economic situation in Austria.
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