Economic Upswing Boosts Manufacturing Output and Employment. Economic Outlook for 1998 and 1999

Economic activity in Austria will expand by 2¾ percent in 1998 and 3 percent in 1999. The main forces driving the economy are the solid expansion in merchandise exports and the revival in investment and consumer expenditures. Employment is growing rapidly and is expected to reach a new record high. Unemployment persists, however, at a high level.