News & Opinions

Investors are increasingly shying away from Eastern Europe - 16 Jun 2026

New greenfield investments announced at their lowest level for six years; investment boom in Romania; Ukraine is struggling, but has great potential; German and Austrian investors cautious; China remains largest new investor in the region read more

It will be important to upgrade the quality of FDI inflows to Central, East and Southeast Europe - 12 Jun 2026

As FDI inflows continue to decline, the focus is shifting from quantity to quality. Attracting investment that promotes technology transfer, skills development, innovation and integration into higher value chains will be important for sustaining long-term growth read more

From crisis spillover to energy resilience: CESEE’s hydrocarbon vulnerabilities and policy pathways - 27 May 2026

CESEE’s dependence on fossil fuel imports leaves it exposed to external shocks. Despite progress on diversification, resilience remains uneven - making energy efficiency, regional integration and supply diversification critical to strategic autonomy read more

Energiepreisschock und Handelskonflikte bremsen Österreichs Außenwirtschaft - 20 May 2026

Österreichs Warenexporte schrumpften 2025 um 1,1%, die Importe stiegen um 4,8%, woraus sich ein Handelsbilanzdefizit von 6,6 Mrd. € ergab. Für 2026 und 2027 erwartet das FIW ein Exportwachstum von 1,5% bzw. 2,2% bei gleichzeitig hohen geopolitischen Risiken. read more

Spring forecast: Eastern Europe weathering the Iran shock for now - 29 Apr 2026

A protracted war in the Middle East would lead to a sharp decline in growth; ‘extended workbench’ model no longer CEE’s growth engine; gloomy outlook for Ukraine; Russia in stagnation, despite windfall profits from Iran war; Hungary’s recovery will take time read more

Osteuropa wichtigste Stütze für Österreichs Exportwachstum - 29 Apr 2026

Obwohl der Iran-Krieg die Wachstumsaussichten Mittel-, Ost- und Südosteuropas dämpft, kann Österreich weiterhin optimistisch auf die dortige Wirtschaftsentwicklung blicken read more

New study: EU tobacco tax reform could boost revenues and cut smoking - 20 Apr 2026

Our new study on EU tobacco tax reform was presented at the European Parliament, highlighting its potential to increase fiscal revenues and improve public health read more

New Study: Same job, different skills – why migrants fall behind at work - 13 Mar 2026

Migrants in Europe perform fewer complex tasks than native workers in the same jobs due to cognitive skill gaps rather than discriminatory task allocation. Language training and skill development are key read more

New study: Regime change in Iran could boost EU economy - 02 Mar 2026

GDP gains of up to 0.7% for the EU; Austria would benefit particularly; dampening effects on inflation; Iran could reach the economic level of Turkey or South Korea in the medium term read more

Reorientation of Ukraine’s economy towards the EU - 24 Feb 2026

EU now Ukraine’s most important trading partner; high dependence on China for drones; critical raw materials, defence and renewables are opportunities for Europe; robust agriculture, greater role for the government read more

Recent Publications

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The future financing of the European Union: An analysis of options for new own resources in the EU budget 2028-2034

wiiw Policy Notes and Reports read more

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Monthly Report No. 06/2026

wiiw Monthly Reports read more

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Ageing costs, public debt sustainability and EU fiscal rules

wiiw Working Papers read more

Upcoming Events

29  June 2026    2:00 pm CEST

Join us for the hybrid presentation of the final results of the Jubilee Fund project with Bernhard Schütz, and Oliver Reiter.

Genetic innovation, intermediate goods and energy prices in an agent-based model

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01  July 2026    9:30 am CEST

Deputy Director Richard Grieveson will present wiiw's new economic forecasts for CESEE in 2026-28.

wiiw Q3 Economic Forecast for Central, East and Southeast Europe (CESEE)

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09  July 2026    9:00 am CEST

In cooperation with University of Vienna, Research Centre International Economics (FIW), Economic and Social Research Council (UKRI) and Heinrich Graf Hardegg'sche Stiftung..

Leading researchers in International Economics cover state-of-the-art research in a two days workshop

Workshop on International Economic Networks (WIEN) 2026

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Projects in Focus

Challenges for Cohesion: Looking ahead to 2035

Client: European Commission, DG Regional Policy
Duration: September 2022 - April 2024 read more

Russia Monitor

Client: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Duration: January 2023 - June 2024 read more

Demographics of the Austrian foreign trade structure

Client: Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy
Duration: October 2022 - April 2023 read more

Regional Cooperation in EU-CEE and Lessons for the Western Balkans

Client: Bertelsmann Stiftung
Duration: June 2021 - May 2022 read more

Preparation of Ukraine for its accession to the EU in the area of Cohesion Policy

Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Duration: June 2024 - December 2024 read more

Tobacco taxation in Eastern Europe

Client: Bloomberg Philanthropies
Duration: October 2023 - December 2024 read more

Tax and Contribution Burdens in Firms with Different Value Creation Structures

Client: AK Lower Austria
Duration: December 2024 - June 2025 read more

Supporting the compilation of consumption of fixed capital and stocks of fixed assets

Client: Eurostat
Duration: April 2022 - April 2024 read more

Verteilungs- und Beschäftigungseffekte von Fiskalpolitik in Österreich

Client: AK - Wien
Duration: September 2025 - September 2027 read more

IV - Key economic indicators

Client: Federation of Austrian Industries
Duration: March 2014 - December 2025 read more


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