Austrian Economy on growth path

Following a period of sluggish growth, in 2016 the Austrian Economy returned to a solid growth path. For the years 2017 to 2021 an average growth rate of 1.7 % p.a. is expected, after 0.8 % p.a. in the previous five years. Growth is then in line with the euro area average. Domestic demand is expected to accelerate. Supported by the expansion of world trade, also export demand will gain momentum. Inflation is projected to increase at an annual average rate of 2 %. In line with the pick-up of the economy the labour market situation should improve. Employment creation is expected to stay high and unemployment will fall moderately. However, with 8 per cent in 2021 the unemployment rate will still be very high. The fiscal deficit will fall considerably, however, mainly due to strong growth and low interest rates. Therefore, further reforms in the public sector are necessary to strengthen the growth potential of the Austrian economy.
Links:
Press information of July 19, 2017 (pdf - in German only)
Economic Forecast

51% of university bachelor beginners (begin cohort winter term 2008/09) have graduated within seven years. 19% are still in education and 30% have dropped out of all university studies. At universities of applied sciences ('Fachhochschulen') and at university colleges of teacher education ('Pädagogische Hochschulen') there is a higher success rate (75%), though there are big differences between sociodemographic groups and between fields of studies. Comprehensive analysis of study progress, as well as analysis of reasons for time loss and satisfaction can be found in the report.
Links:
Report in the IHS Repository (full length, in German only)
Project website

Strong growth in Austria

Supported by the buoyant expansion of the world economy, economic growth in Austria is accelerating strongly. Gross domestic product in Austria is projected to increase by 2.2 % in 2017 and by 1.7 % in 2018. Exports should grow markedly and domestic demand remains robust. The inflation rate should reach 2 % in each of the two years and registered unemployment is expected to decline for the first time in six years.
Links:
Press information of June 29, 2017 (pdf - long version in German only)
Press information (pdf - short version in English)
Economic Forecast

This year’s ‘Workshop on Labour-Market Economics’, jointly organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS), WU Vienna, JKU Linz, and AK Vienna, will take place at the IHS.
The goal of this workshop is to foster an open and friendly discussion, therefore working papers, manuscripts and even controversial work is welcome.
Authors are invited to submit both abstracts as well as finished papers.
Please submit your paper via e-mail to
iris.troppert(at)ihs.ac.at.
Deadline for submissions: September 11, 2017
Selection of contributions will be done by the organizers in October 2017.
Links:
Further Informationen (in German)

There is an ongoing discussion regarding a shortage of graduates in the so-called STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This baseline study of the Higher Education Research Group (HER) commissioned by the BMWFW provides an information base against which to assess the supply of graduates in STEM-related subjects and their labour market status.
Links:
Further Information (in German)

Responsible Science, in the EU context also known as 'Responsible Research and Innovation' (RRI), actively involves the civil society in research and innovation processes so that current challenges can be met in a more effective way and in line with the values, expectations and requirements of society.
Link:
Website Responsible Research Austria

Unlike in many other countries, most doctoral students in Austria study on their own account: Only 5% receive a grant, 30% pursue their degree as a part of an employment – the remaining two thirds of all doctoral students complete a degree which has neither a link to university research or their employment, nor is it financed by any kind of  grant. These differences determine the diverging social conditions of doctoral student life and are being discussed in the recently released research report based on data from the Student Social Survey 2015.
Links:
Research report in the IHS Repository (in full length, in German only)
Research report on the project website

How can we integrate the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in European research funding? The project NewHorRRIzon, that is funded for four years with 6.8 Mio Euro, approaches this important question. In 18 “social labs” across Europe researchers and other stakeholders are exploring innovative solutions to tackle this vital challenge for research and innovation. The project is coordinated by Erich Griessler.
Links:
Press release June 13, 2017 (in German)
Project details
RG Techno Science and Societal Transformation
Erich Griessler