Domestic Demand Drives Economic Upswing in Austria

Austria's real gross domestic product rose by 0.5 percent, quarter on quarter, in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to WIFO's latest flash estimate (trend-cycle component). Hence the underlying pace of economic expansion in Austria in the fourth quarter was unchanged from the previous quarter. Domestic demand was the main driver of the expansion, whereas net trade did not contribute significantly to growth. The picture painted by leading indicators is improving further, suggesting that economic activity will accelerate in spring 2017.