Austrian transport and retail sectors face divergent economic trends

The Austrian passenger transport sector is experiencing a significant decline. According to a survey by the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the number of bus companies in Austria fell by 13.4 percent between 2019 and 2025, dropping from 1,229 to 1,064 registered businesses. This contraction affects all segments, including excursion and travel buses, scheduled line services, and specialized city tours. Industry experts attribute this trend to rising vehicle procurement costs, increased interest and personnel expenses, and margin pressure from state and municipal clients. Consequently, over half of the surveyed companies have had to cancel or postpone planned fleet modernizations.

In contrast, the Austrian retail and trade sector shows signs of growth. The 2026 Trade Yearbook reports that total turnover reached 298 billion euros, a real increase of 0.6 percent. The sector remains a vital pillar of the national economy, employing 711,000 people and accounting for nearly one-third of all national revenue. While the industry faces structural pressures, it remains a major employer and the country's third-largest provider of apprenticeships.