Austria's Federal States Import More Than They Export in 2025

Upper Austria Remains Export Champion

Three other federal states also achieved an export surplus, according to the available data. In total, five of Austria's nine federal states exported more goods than they imported in 2025. The remaining four countries posted a trade balance deficit.

The import side shows a contrary development: In seven federal states, imports grew compared to the previous year, while only two countries reported declining imports. These figures indicate a shift in trade flows within Austria, which also reflects the weak economic performance of the previous year.

Imports Rose in Seven Federal States

According to the statistical data, there was a notable change in Tyrol's imports from Switzerland. The exact impact of this development on the regional economy is not evident from the available data. Tyrol is among the federal states that come into focus in the analysis.

Germany remains one of the most important trading partners for Austria's federal states, as does Poland, which is cited as a significant import partner in several federal states. Japan also appears in the data as a relevant trading nation for Austrian exporters.

The Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark is integrated into the data material as a central point of contact for export promotion. Which specific programs or measures were implemented in 2025 cannot be derived from the available facts.

Tyrol: Notable Change in Imports

The foreign trade statistics for 2025 thus show a mixed picture: While Upper Austria and Styria maintain their top positions, other federal states are struggling with declining exports alongside rising imports. This development could have an impact on regional employment and industrial value creation.

Experts see the weak economic performance of the previous year as a key factor in the changed trade balances. However, the exact causes of the export decline in five federal states and the import growth in seven countries are not broken down in detail in the available statistics.

The evaluation of the federal states' foreign trade balance for 2025 highlights the structural differences between Austria's regions. While western and central federal states such as Upper Austria and Styria continue to benefit from strong export industries, other regions show opposing trends.

Important Trading Partners

Vorarlberg and Vienna also appear in the statistics, although the exact trade balance positions are not clearly evident from the available facts. Both countries are recorded in the data as relevant players in Austrian foreign trade.

The current figures provide an important basis for the economic policy debate on the competitiveness of Austria's export economy. The question of how the weak economic performance of the previous year can be overcome remains a central challenge for policymakers and business.