Research Paper 9: Der EcoAustria Competitiveness Index (ECI)

The competitiveness of a business location is crucial for the growth and prosperity of an economy. "While competitiveness has increased on average in the EU and in Germany, for example, in recent years, Austria is moving sideways," says Tobias Thomas, Director of the economic research institute EcoAustria. "In addition, some Eastern European countries such as Slovakia are catching up strongly and increasing competitive pressure," says Thomas.

These are the findings of the new EcoAustria Competitiveness Index (ECI), which measures the development of competitiveness on a quarterly basis using net exports and direct investments at home and abroad and is presented in this EcoAustria Research Paper 9. With this method, the ECI complements existing competitiveness indices such as the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum or the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. These are partly based on surveys and are published annually. The quarterly ECI enables a more timely assessment of the development of the competitiveness of business locations.

Details on the method and empirical content of the EcoAustria Competitiveness Index (ECI) are documented in EcoAustria Research Paper 9. The current results of the ECI are presented in the EcoAustria Competitiveness Monitor Q4/2018.