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Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Austria’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating at “AA” with a Stable Outlook, underscoring the country’s strong economic fundamentals despite rising fiscal pressures. According to the agency, Austria continues to benefit from a diversified, high-income economy, the euro’s reserve currency status, and solid external finances, all of which help support its overall credit profile. These strengths, however, are weighed against Austria’s elevated government debt ratio, which remains significantly higher than that of similarly rated peers, as well as its modest medium-term growth prospects.
Austria’s coalition government approved a dual-year budget on June 18, targeting fiscal deficits of 4.5% in 2025 and 4.2% in 2026. Fitch expects these goals to be met, though both figures represent slight increases from earlier projections. The agency forecasts that persistent deficits above 4% of GDP through 2027 will push Austria’s debt-to-GDP ratio to roughly 84.8% by end-2027, up from an estimated 82.1% in 2025. This level is notably higher than the 43.6% median observed among AA-rated sovereigns.
Even with higher debt, Austria benefits from low borrowing costs and an average debt maturity of about 13 years, though interest expenditure is projected to rise from 1.5% of GDP in 2024 to 1.8% in 2027. The country’s external position remains a key strength, supported by a positive net international investment position of around 22.9% of GDP and a diversified export base that helps maintain steady current account surpluses.
Fitch anticipates a gradual economic recovery, with real GDP growth expected to reach 0.3% in 2025, 1.0% in 2026, and 1.5% in 2027, aided by easing inflation and improving business confidence. The banking sector remains well-capitalized, though rising risks in the commercial real estate market require monitoring as non-performing loans have increased.
A newly finalized Austrian Stability Pact aims to improve fiscal transparency and coordination, but Fitch notes that further reforms will be necessary to manage long-term spending pressures in healthcare, education, and social services.
