Despite higher economic growth rate of about 2% is expected in 2017, business insolvencies are forecast to increase again in 2017, by 3% year-on-year.
![Austria key indicators](https://group.atradius.com/image/2017_we_austria_pic1.png)
![Austria industries performance forecast](https://group.atradius.com/image/2017_we_austria_pic2_new.png)
The insolvency environment
The phase of yearly insolvencies decreases has come to an end
After decreasing three years in a row, Austrian business insolvencies increased again in 2016, by 1.5%, and are expected to rise further in 2017 (up 3%).
![Austrian business insolvencies](https://group.atradius.com/image/2017_we_austria_pic3.png)
Economic situation
Higher growth expected in 2017
![Austria real GDP growth](https://group.atradius.com/image/2017_we_austria_pic4.png)
Austrian GDP grew 1.4% in 2016 and is expected to increase 1.9% in 2017, fuelled by both domestic consumption and exports. Private consumption is forecast to increase 1.9%, helped by decreasing unemployment.
![Austria real private consumption](https://group.atradius.com/image/2017_we_austria_pic5.png)
Exports are expected to benefit from increasing demand in the eurozone and overseas markets. Inflation is forecast to increase more than 2% in 2017 following the 0.9% rise in 2016.