Growth prospects for Austria are weakening

In its economic outlook for Austria of December 2007, the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) expects Austria’s real GDP to increase by 3.3% in 2007. In 2008 and 2009, real GDP will grow by 2.5% and 2.3%, respectively. The rate of inflation will rise to 2.1% in 2007 and increase further to 2.4% in 2008 and will decrease again to 1.8% in 2009. Employment growth will remain strong, and the unemployment rate will decrease to 4.2% in 2008.forecast, Austria.