Medium-term Economic Growth above 2 percent. Projections for the Austrian Economy until 2010

Economic growth in Austria is projected at an average 2.1 percent p.a. over the period from 2005 to 2010. The expected cyclical recovery in Europe and notably in Germany plays a major role in this context. Austrian economy will grow somewhat faster than the euro area, strongly benefiting from the last EU enlargement and the high price competitiveness of its exports. This forward momentum, while facilitating the consolidation of public finances, will not be strong enough as to reduce unemployment in the medium term.