Austria’s economy sees continued growth as U.S. investment drives job creation

Austria’s economy continues to expand, with more than half of GDP coming from exports and the United States ranking as a top two‑way investment partner. Provisional 2025 data show U.S. FDI at €18.7 billion, supporting roughly 18,900 jobs. The country’s service and industrial sectors, especially high‑quality vehicle components, drive this growth.

Manufacturing, the sector that lagged during the 2023‑24 recession, began to recover in 2025, and Austria entered an EU excessive deficit procedure in July 2025. The government aims to cut its budget deficit from 4.2 % of GDP in 2025 to 3 % by 2028. Inflation hovered near 2 % in early 2026, rising to 3 % in March, largely due to energy costs.

Foreign investors find Austria attractive thanks to the Austrian Business Agency, which offers free consulting and site identification. Around 220 U.S. firms have subsidiaries in the country, and the average time to start a business was 19.7 days in 2023. Membership in the Austrian Economic Chamber is mandatory for all businesses, and online registration is available for sole proprietorships.

Read the full story at state.gov.