Where does Linz stand as a business location today?

The beating heart of Upper Austria's economy: Linz, as a business location, is situated between Munich, Vienna and Prague and is the heart of the Linz-Wels-corridor, Austria's most dynamic industrial region. High levels of employment, a strong business sector and close links with the local community are the hallmarks of the region's economic development. Building on this high standard, the aim is to develop the location to ensure its long-term viability, strength and resilience.

The Linz-Wels economic region stands for prosperity as the driving force behind the province's economy

The Linz-Wels economic region is one of Austria's strengest, which is why it is the economic driving force of the province of Upper Austria. This is shown by a comparison of the NUTS 3 regions from 2023: with a per capita gross regional product (GRP) of around EUR 66,000 the Linz-Wels region is one of the strengest economic regions. The average gross domestic product per capita across Austria is EUR 52,300.

The importance of the region is also evident within Upper Austria: around half of Upper Austria's gross value-added and just under half of all jobs are provided by the Linz-Wels economic region. A high concentration of industry, strong companies and close regional links make the region a key area for economic development in Austria.

The Linz-Wels-corridor is particularly significant in this regard, as an economic heartland with a high density of both population and companies. This is an area with a high concentration of industry, research and employment. Key to this is the good infrastructure, with the fast train service between Linz and Wels. Measured against the regional average income, Linz-Wels is the most prosperous region in Austria.

Linz is a top business location

In terms of value-added and total wages paid, the economic strength of the Linz-Wels region rests on three pillars: industry, trade, and technical and business services. The close links between industry and specialist service providers are particularly significant.

In terms of the number of companies (2,910), Linz-Wels ranks second among Austria's NUTS 3 regions, behind Vienna. The economic region also ranks among the top in Austria in terms of the number of fast-growing companies (248). This dynamic environment is also reflected in start-up activity: in 2025, 981 companies were founded at the Linz location. The start-up rate (new businesses per 1,000 inhabitants*) stands at 4.6,8 which is higher than the figure for Upper Austria (4.1). More than a quarter of new startups are in the information and consulting sector. In addition, there are 131 young entrepreneurs who have taken over an existing company.

Of the 250 leading companies in Upper Austria listed in the ranking by turnover, 64 (26 %) have their registered office in Linz. There are 21 companies from Linz in the top 100. This highlights Linz's key role as a business location in Upper Austria.

Linz is a city of innovation

The number of patents granted and utility models developed also reflects the strength and dynamism of Linz's business landscape, as they are an important indicator of technological development and industrial innovation. With 221 patents granted and 25 registered utility models, the province of Upper Austria ranks first in Austria. Companies and inventors from Linz have played a significant part in this.

With 33 patents granted and three registered utility models by inventors from Linz, Linz ranks just above the figure for the province of Upper Austria in a per capita comparison for 2024. The same applies to applications filed with the European Patent Office. In the 2025 comparison of the Austrian provinces, Upper Austria ranks second behind Vienna. A large proportion of the 449 patent applications from Upper Austria (+10.6 % on the previous year) came from leading companies in Linz, such as voestalpine.

Linz is a city of jobs

The large number of leading companies located in Linz makes the. city a hub for jobs in Upper Austria. More than 208,016 people are in employment within the city boundaries. The interconnected nature of the economic region is also evident from the commuter flows. Around 110,000 people (2023)17 commute to Linz for work every day. This makes Linz the second-largest commuter hub in Austria after Vienna.

The employment rate in Linz is high compared with other provincial capitals. More than three-quarters of Linz's residents are in work. The employment rate in Linz is close to the Austrian average and slightly higher than that of comparable cities. Over time, employment in Linz has risen steadily. There is still some way to go when it comes to warnen in the workplace.

Sources: 

• NUTS regions (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) are statistical and geographically defined regions established by the EU to compare economic and regional data.
• Statistik Austria, Regionale Gesamtrechnungen, 2025.
• Statistik Austria, Arbeitsstättenzählung 2023.
• Statistik Austria, Statistik der schnellwachsenden Unternehmen, 2025.
• Statistik Austria, Regionale Gesamtrechnungen, 2025.
• Wirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich Neugründungsstatistik, 2025.
• Magistrat Linz, Stadtforschung, 2026.
• Magistrat Linz, Stadtforschung, eigene Berechnungen, Neugründungsstatistik Wirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich, Bevölkerungszahl zum 1.1. Statistik Austria, 2026.
• Wirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich Neugründungsstatistik, 2025. 
• Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, TOP 250 Unternehmen, 2025.
• Österreichisches Patentamt; eigene Berechnungen Magistrat Linz, Stadtforschung, 2026. 
• Europäisches Patentamt, Technology Dashboard 2025.
• Statistik Austria, Abgestimmte Erwerbsstatistik 2023.