Austria's Central Government Debt (% of GDP), 1990-2022

Austria's debt ratio rose steadily from 45.53% in 1990 to 57.87% in 1999, driven by reunification-era spending and structural adjustments in the European Union context. Debt stabilized in the early 2000s but surged again after the 2008 financial crisis, peaking at 62.45% in 2020 amid pandemic-related spending.

Efforts to contain debt were evident by 2022, with levels moderating to 60.52%. Austria's disciplined fiscal policies and economic integration within the EU have played a key role in managing its debt trajectory.