TIROL - Economy
Dynamic economy in the Alps
With a nominal annual average growth rate of the BRP of 3.25% between 1995 and 2000, the performance of the Tyrolean economy was not better than that of Austria as a whole (3.63%), putting the region in seventh. As a result, Austria's third-largest and fifth most heavily populated Bundesland had its share of the country's gross domestic product unchanged in 2000 compared to 1995 (8.2%). This now matches its share of the total Austrian population and is close to its 8.8% share of employment (2000).
Two of the reasons behind this positive trend in Tirol's economic development are its well-balanced structure of medium-sized enterprises and the general absence of crisis-prone industries.
Tirol's economy also benefits from the fact that it is ideally situated between the important economic areas of southern Germany and northern Italy, has good transport links and, in summer at least, a plentiful energy supply.
Tirol's extensive transport system also, of course, works to the advantage of tourism and Tirol is Austria's undisputed leader in this field, with-approximately 41 million overnight stays in 2001.
Tirol's share of total Austrian expenditure on research and experimental development in 1998 was 7.6%. Industry contributed 47.9% of this total, closely followed by the higher education sector with 46.7%, with the State responsible for 5.4%.
Tourism, industry, Alpine scenery
Despite the difficult geographical conditions they have to deal with, Tirol's farmers account for approximately 4.6% of Austria's agricultural and forestry gross value added. Within the region, farmers contribute just under 1.3% of value-added, as against the Austrian average of 2.2%. It should not be forgotten, however, that they also play an invaluable role in preserving and protecting the fragile Alpine environment and ensuring that the area does not become depopulated.
Although the once-important mining industry (salt, silver, copper, iron ore) only plays a minor role in modern-day Tirol, the Land is still one of Austria's leading producers of earthenware and glassware. In 2000, this branch of industry was responsible for 19.1% of the region's gross value added and accounted for one fifth of Austrian production in this field.
The region's construction industry should also not be underestimated, as its share of Tirol's total value-added in 2000 was 8.2%.
The service sector in Tirol has an above-average share of value-added, with tourist services being particularly strong.
Almost 44% of foreign tourists to Austria in 2001 chose Tirol as their holiday destination, with 90% of the overnight stays in the region being made by foreign visitors. In total over 40 Million overnights stays were counted in 2002.
Transport
There were 189 km of motorways (in 2001), 8 181 km of other roads (2000 data) and 437 km of railway lines (1997 data) in Tirol. In 2000, there were 395 600 vehicles (all types except trailers and motorcycles), of which 83% were private vehicles. There were, in 2001, 115 deaths caused by road accidents. Tirol was the only region where this number increased between 1990 and 2001 (+4.5%).
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