Growth Exceeded Dynamic Trend in All Länder. Regional Growth in Austria in 2000

  • Gerhard Palme

In 2000, Austria's economy recorded brisk growth rates, with relatively minor regional variations. It was mainly export manufacturing which profited from international economic growth, but manufacturing services saw a similarly hefty expansion. In each of the Austrian Länder (Federal states), the economy outpaced the medium-term trend, with western Austria having a slight edge over eastern Austria. Regional growth was determined chiefly by the development in the manufacturing sector. Länder with substantial intermediate and capital goods industries achieved higher growth rates. Most value was added in Upper Austria (+6.0 percent); Lower Austria and Styria followed closely at almost 5 percent. At growth rates below 3 percent, Carinthia and Vienna lagged behind the Austrian average. Vienna's economy in particular did not participate in the upswing, suffering from disadvantages by its strong focus on the domestic market, where demand was growing at a markedly lower rate than on international markets.