The stormy years following introduction of the single market appear to be over at last. In spite of the fact that the premium level in the main segments was cut for good, insurers were for the first time able to impose substantial increases in premium rates in 2001, a development which is...

In 2002, private insurers saw their revenues from premiums grow in alignment with GDP at current prices. Due to price increases, property and liability insurance once again expanded its traditional dominance. For 2003, revenues from premiums are expected to rise slightly above the growth rate of...

In 2000, private insurance companies achieved a premium growth similar to their successful performance in the previous year. All insurance categories once again recorded a boost in their sales. Life insurance continues to be the sector's main engine. At a growth rate of one eighth, the share of...

Water management in Austria is usually the responsibility of the public sector which through high connection rates to water supply and sewer pipelines makes an important contribution to public health and environmental protection. The funding required to maintain and expand the requisite...

Compared to Europe in general, firm pension schemes are a relatively rare phenomenon in Austria. Whereas on a European average, every second worker is included in a form of firm pension scheme, in Austria only one in six dependently employed workers can lay claims on a company pension. The WIFO...