Austria's firms show growing optimism in WKÖ economic barometer

The Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKÖ) surveyed more than 4,300 companies in May‑June 2026. The barometer indicates a clearer outlook for order intake, sales, capacity utilisation and employment, especially among larger firms and in manufacturing, trade and services. Jochen Danninger, WKÖ general secretary, said the view “into the future is more confident but not unclouded”. Smaller enterprises remain cautious and the construction sector still expects a decline.

Despite the upbeat sentiment, investment intentions stay modest. Only about 23 % of firms plan to expand their investment volume, many focus on replacing existing equipment, and roughly a quarter intend no new investment at all. Companies cite high labour costs, bureaucracy, regulatory uncertainty, energy prices and international competition as the main growth constraints. Claudia Huber, head of WKÖ’s economic policy department, called for targeted policy measures to lower costs and reduce red tape to boost investment readiness.