The Federal government attained the goal of budget consolidation in 1997. The net deficit declined to 2.6 percent of GDP. The other territorial authorities have also exceeded their goals. Thus, the general government deficit totaled only 2.5 percent of GDP, and Austria has easily met the budget...

In Austria, social expenditure (including social security, health and old-age care) by public authorities rose by 7.4 percent (at current prices) in 1994, to a level of Sch 668.6 billion. Their ratio to GDP went up from 29.4 percent in 1993 to 29.8 percent. On this indicator, Austria holds a...