Austrian economy dropped by 12.1% in the second quarter of 2020

The Austrian gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by 12.1% in volume terms during the second quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2020 and by 14.3% compared to the second quarter of 2019, according to Statistics Austria.

In 2019, the Austrian economy grew by 1.4%, which means a slowdown in growth dynamics compared to the previous years (2017: +2.4%; 2018: +2.6%).

Private consumption declined by 12.6% in volume terms compared to the previous quarter (-16.1% compared to Q2/2019), mainly due to the lockdown of leisure services (accommodation, food service, arts and entertainment).

Consumption of housing (rents, electricity) and food/beverages grew slightly.

The COVID-19 measures also left their mark in the service sector, with accommodation and food services being most affected.

They recorded a decline of 65.2% in volume terms compared to the first quarter of 2020 (-61.1% compared to Q2/2019). As expected, arts, entertainment and recreation also suffered losses (-27.0% in volume terms compared to Q1/2020; -35.3% compared to Q2/2019).

In total, each economic activity recorded negative volume growth in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter in 2020.

Real estate activities (-0.7% in volume terms compared to Q1/2020; +2.2% compared to Q2/2019), health and public administration (-0.5% in volume terms compared to Q1/2020; -0.6% compared to Q2/2019) as well as information and communication (-1.3% in volume terms compared to Q1/2020; +1.1% compared to Q2/2019) were hardly affected.

Similar to the development of foreign trade, manufacturing already slowed down in 2019. The lockdown then led to another remarkable slump by 15.6% in terms of volume compared to the first quarter of 2020 (-18.4% compared to Q2/2019).