Increased positive perception of the USA in Austria
Election of the new US President in 2021 as the main reason for a better attitude towards the USA among the Austrian population
Vienna (OTS) – A survey by the Austrian American Society (ÖAG) from the beginning of 2022 (sample 500, representative of the Austrian population) shows a clear shift in sentiment in Austria towards the USA in a positive direction.
From a previously rather neutral approach, perception is changing in a predominantly positive direction. The majority (88%) gave the election decision in October 2021 for the new President Biden and the associated voting out of former President Trump as the main reason.
At least once a month you are actively involved with the USA.
The US economy is predominantly embraced as digital (72%), risk-taking (62%), innovative (58%) and business-friendly (45%). About half of the respondents (51%) consider the influence of the USA on Austria’s economy to be important, three quarters (75%) see a high influence of the USA on the global economy.
You usually see the USA’s contribution to combating the global climate crisis as small.
When it comes to the question of the importance of the USA for tourism in Austria, the answers are balanced (31% important, 33% less important, 37% partly-partially), but a majority considers the relevance of US policy for Austria to be important ( 41% important, 17% less important, 42% partly-partly).
Film (86%), music (75%) and fashion (51%) are seen as the cultural areas where US influence is above average.
The importance of sport in the USA (35% very high) is accordingly estimated to be higher than in Austria (28% very high).
“The importance of the USA is understood by the Austrian population in many different ways and shapes us politically, economically, but also in sporting and cultural terms,” says Philipp Bodzenta, President of the ÖAG, which has set itself the task of strengthening this bilateral country relationship. “In addition to the many mostly positive qualitative experiences that we experience in the exchange with the USA, we now have for the first time a quantitative representation of perception from an Austrian point of view.”
The ÖAG, which was founded on January 6, 1946 with the task of distributing the care packages, today has the motto “Building bridges”.
“We have made this bridge-building between the countries possible through various activities such as events and information on various key topics, which have been particularly prevalent on the digital level during the pandemic. We are pleased to be able to offer all people and companies interested in the USA a platform and a network.” adds ÖAG Secretary General Rainer Newald.
For the present survey, the beginning of the year is a good anchor for an ongoing measurement, which will be carried out regularly from now on.
Questions & contact:
Mag. Rainer Neuwald
general secretary
Stallburggasse 2, A-1010 Vienna
Phone +436642827608
rainer.newald@oag.at