CapitalVienna
Population9,174,390
Area83,871 km²
GDP per capita$63,300
LanguagesGerman, Turkish, Serbian, Croatian, other languages
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy82.7 yr
Governmentfederal parliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
Originally the hub of authority for the extensive Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was transformed into a modest republic following its defeat in World War I. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, and after the war concluded, the victorious Allied forces occupied the nation in 1945. Consequently, Austria's status was ambiguous for a decade post-World War II, until a State Treaty was executed in 1955, which concluded the occupation, affirmed Austria's sovereignty, and prohibited any unification with Germany. That same year, a constitutional law established the nation's "perpetual neutrality" as a prerequisite for the withdrawal of Soviet military forces. Austria became a member of the EU in 1995, but its commitment to neutrality prevented it from joining NATO; however, the nation did participate in NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1995. Austria also became part of the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.
Geography
Area
land
82,445 sq km
water
1,426 sq km
total
83,871 sq km
Climate
The climate is temperate and continental, characterized by overcast conditions; winters are cold with frequent rainfall and occasional snowfall in the lowlands, while the mountainous regions experience consistent snow; summers are moderate with sporadic rain.
Terrain
The geography predominantly features mountainous regions (Alps) to the west and south, while the eastern and northern areas are mainly flat or exhibit gentle slopes.
Land use
other
20.9% (2023 est.)
forest
47.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
31.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.7% (2023 est.)
Location
This region is situated in Central Europe, lying to the north of Italy and Slovenia.
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Neusiedler See 115 m
highest point
Grossglockner 3,798 m
mean elevation
910 m
Irrigated land
382 sq km (2016)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
2,524 km
border countries
Borders include the Czech Republic at 402 km; Germany at 801 km; Hungary at 321 km; Italy at 404 km; Liechtenstein at 34 km; Slovakia at 105 km; Slovenia at 299 km; and Switzerland at 158 km.
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
Natural hazards include landslides, avalanches, and earthquakes.
Geography - note
note 1: The country is landlocked and has a strategic position at the intersection of Central Europe, featuring numerous Alpine passes and valleys that are easily navigable; the Danube is the principal river, with population density concentrated in the eastern lowlands due to the steep terrain, inadequate soils, and lower temperatures in other areas.
note 2: The Eisriesenwelt (Ice Giants World), located inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen, approximately 40 km south of Salzburg, is recognized as the world's largest and longest ice cave system, extending 42 km (26 mi); these ice caves are formed in bedrock and maintain ice formations throughout the year, distinguishing them from glacial caves, which are temporary and arise from melting ice and flowing water beneath glaciers.
Natural resources
Natural resources include oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, and hydropower.
Area - comparative
The country's area is comparable to that of South Carolina, being slightly larger than two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania.
Geographic coordinates
47 20 N, 13 20 E
Population distribution
Population density is higher in the northern and eastern sections; nearly two-thirds of the population resides in urban locales.
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Germany) - 540 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
The Rhine-Maas basin covers an area of 198,735 sq km, while the (Black Sea) Danube basin spans 795,656 sq km.
Major rivers (by length in km)
Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
People & Society
Languages
Languages
German (nationwide official language) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other languages (including Slovene, official in southern Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (estimate from 2001)
major-language sample(s)
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 55.2%, Muslim 8.3%, Orthodox 4.9%, Evangelical Christian 3.8%, Jewish 0.1%, other 5.4%, none 22.4% (estimate from 2021)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1 male(s)/female
total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.79 male(s)/female
Birth rate
8.81 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
43.6 years
total
44.5 years (2025 est.)
female
46.3 years
Population
male
4,471,802
total
9,174,390 (2025 est.)
female
4,702,588
Nationality
noun
Austrian(s)
adjective
Austrian
Tobacco use
male
21.1% (2025 est.)
total
19.7% (2025 est.)
female
18.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
59.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
14.1% (male 648,639/female 616,334)
15-64 years
64.7% (male 2,904,587/female 2,898,339)
65 years and over
21.2% (2024 est.) (male 839,672/female 1,060,411)
Ethnic groups
Austrian 80.8%, German 2.6%, Bosnian and Herzegovinian 1.9%, Turkish 1.8%, Serbian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, other nationalities 10% (estimate from 2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
54.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
21.8 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
32.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
5.52 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
12.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
4.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
7.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.35 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
5.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
9.9% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
3.6 deaths/1,000 live births
total
3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.28% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.66 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the northern and eastern regions of the nation are more heavily populated; approximately two-thirds of the population resides in urban settings
Life expectancy at birth
male
80.1 years
female
85.4 years
total population
82.7 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
6.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
3.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
11.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.975 million VIENNA (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.1% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.7 years (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
16 years (2023 est.)
total
16 years (2023 est.)
female
17 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate; continental, overcast; cold winters characterized by frequent rainfall and occasional snowfall in lower regions, along with snow in mountainous areas; moderate summer temperatures with intermittent showers
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Ore of the Alps; Styrian Eisenwurzen; Karawanken/Karavanke (which includes Slovenia) (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
3
Land use
other
20.9% (2023 est.)
forest
47.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
31.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
59.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.22 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
36% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
forest degradation due to air and soil contamination; soil contamination from agricultural chemicals; air contamination originating from coal- and oil-powered plants, industrial facilities, and trucks passing through Austria; water contamination
Total water withdrawal
municipal
34.36 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
2.21 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
124 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
56.959 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
13.397 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
10.527 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
33.036 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
10.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
77.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Antarctic-Environmental Protection
Government
Flag
description: three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), white, and red
history: one of the earliest national flags globally; according to legend, after a brutal conflict during the Third Crusade in 1191, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became stained with blood; upon removing his sash, a white band was uncovered, leading to the adoption of the red-white-red color scheme as his standard.
Capital
name
Vienna
etymology
the name likely derives from the Roman term Vindobona, which is believed to have originated from the Celtic words vindo (white) and bona (fort)
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commences on the last Sunday of March; concludes on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
48 12 N, 16 22 E
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Austria
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several previous; most recently adopted on 1 October 1920, revised in 1929, replaced in May 1934, substituted by the German Weimar constitution in 1938 following German annexation, and reinstated on 1 May 1945
amendment process
proposed via laws termed "constitutional laws" or through the constitutional procedure if the amendment is part of another law; requires approval from at least a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly and the presence of half the members; a referendum is necessary only if requested by one-third of the National Council or Federal Council members; passing by referendum necessitates an absolute majority vote
Country name
etymology
the term Oesterreich translates to "eastern realm" and traces back to the 10th century; this designation indicates that Austria was the most easterly extension of Bavaria and the Germanic peoples; the name Austria is a Latin adaptation of the German term
local long form
Republik Oesterreich
local short form
Oesterreich
conventional long form
Republic of Austria
conventional short form
Austria
Independence
no officially recognized date of independence: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 6 January 1453 (Archduchy of Austria acknowledged); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 30 March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy established); 12 November 1918 (First Republic proclaimed); 27 April 1945 (Second Republic proclaimed)
Legal system
civil law framework; the Constitutional Court evaluates legislative actions
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice or Oberster Gerichtshof (comprises 85 judges organized into 17 senates or panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof (composed of 20 judges including 6 substitutes); Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof - 2 judges plus additional members depending on the case's significance
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal (4); Regional Courts (20); district courts (120); county courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges are nominated by departments of the executive branch and appointed by the president; judges serve for life; Constitutional Court judges are nominated by various executive branch departments and confirmed by the president; judges serve for life; Administrative Court judges are recommended by executive branch departments and appointed by the president; the terms of judges and members are determined by the president
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers proposed by the chancellor and appointed by the president
chief of state
President Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (since 26 January 2017)
election results
2022: Alexander VAN DER BELLEN reelected in first round; percent of vote - Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (independent) 56.7%, Walter ROSENKRANZ (FPO) 17.7%, Dominik WLAZNY (Beer Party) 8.3%, Tassilo WALLENTIN (independent) 8.1%, Gerald GROSZ (independent) 5.6%
2016: Alexander VAN DER BELLEN elected in second round; percent of vote in first round - Norbert HOFER (FPOe) 35.1%, Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (independent, allied with the Greens) 21.3%, Irmgard GRISS (independent) 18.9%, Rudolf HUNDSTORFER (SPOe) 11.3%, Andreas KHOL (OeVP) 11.1%, Richard LUGNER (independent) 2.3%; percent of vote in second round - Alexander VAN DER BELLEN 53.8%, Norbert HOFER 46.2%
head of government
Chancellor Christian STOCKER (since 3 March 2025)
most recent election date
9 October 2022
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected by an absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if necessary, for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); the chancellor is appointed by the president but is chosen by the majority coalition parties in the Federal Assembly; the vice chancellor is appointed by the president based on the chancellor's advice
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
National Day (commemorates the enactment of the law on permanent neutrality), 26 October (1955)
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
12 (11 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Salzburg (c); Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (c); Hallstatt–Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape (c); Semmering railway (c); Historic Graz and Schloss Eggenberg (c); Wachau Cultural Landscape (c); Historic Vienna (c); Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape (c); Baden bei Wien (c); Primeval Beech Forests - Dürrenstein, Kalkalpen (n)
Political parties
Austrian People's Party or OeVP
Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe
The Greens - The Green Alternative
NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum
Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlament)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn)
history
adopted in 1947; Austria instituted a new national anthem after World War II to supersede the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which Germany had claimed in 1922 and was subsequently linked to the Nazi regime; the Austrian Federal Assembly approved a gender-neutral version of the lyrics in 2012.
lyrics/music
Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed)
National symbol(s)
eagle, edelweiss, Alpine gentian
Administrative divisions
9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Council (Nationalrat)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
183 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/29/2024
expected date of next election
September 2029
percentage of women in chamber
35.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Freedom Party (FPÖ) (57); People's Party (ÖVP) (51); Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) (41); NEOS (“New Austria”) (18); Greens (16)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Federal Council (Bundesrat)
number of seats
60 (all indirectly elected)
percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
parties elected and seats per party
People's Party (OVP) (22); Social Democratic Party (SPO) (18); Freedom Party (16); Greens (3); NEOS (New Austria) (1)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 895-6750
chancery
3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone
[1] (202) 895-6700
consulate(s)
Chicago
chief of mission
Ambassador Petra SCHNEEBAUER (since 19 APRIL 2023)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.austria.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[43] (1) 31339 2017
embassy
Boltzmanngasse 16, 1090, Vienna
telephone
[43] (1) 31339 0
mailing address
9900 Vienna Place, Washington DC 20521-9900
chief of mission
Ambassador Art FISHER (since 19 November 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://at.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$231.132 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$241.516 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$291.804 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$303.914 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$299.366 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$294.324 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$293.692 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$284.467 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
construction, machinery, vehicles and components, food products, metals, chemicals, timber and paper, electronics, tourism
Labor force
4.768 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
78.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
one of the most robust economies within the EU and Eurozone; diverse trade relations and portfolios; vast trade economy; reliance on Russian energy, yet pursuing investments in alternative energy; an aging workforce coupled with a significant refugee influx; substantial government debt
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 25%, USA 9%, Italy 7%, Switzerland 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 34%, China 7%, Italy 7%, Switzerland 5%, Czechia 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$65,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$64,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$63,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
-1.2% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, sugar beets, maize, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, grapes, triticale, soybeans (2023)
Exports - commodities
cars, packaged pharmaceuticals, vaccines, vehicle parts/accessories, nitrogen compounds (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, apparel, vaccines, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$3.911 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$6.783 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$12.642 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
25.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$521.642 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
52.2% (2023 est.)
government consumption
20.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.5% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.9% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
59.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-57.3% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
14.8% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
10.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.9% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-5.5% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$593.701 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$588.031 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$581.131 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
11.4% (2024 est.)
total
11.7% (2024 est.)
female
12% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$33.078 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$31.212 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$35.406 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
23.1% (2024 est.)
services
65.3% (2024 est.)
agriculture
1.2% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.8% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
24.6% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
30.9 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports
4.179 million metric tons (2023 est.)
production
1.288 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
5.403 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
35.2 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
244,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
21.631 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
21.55 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
64.611 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
33.371 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
3.095 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
7.084 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
548.976 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
6.971 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
5.04 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
120.211 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
11.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
14.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
56.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
7.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
95% (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
The national broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), plays a significant role in both television and radio sectors; in most households, private broadcasters, as well as cable and satellite television, are commonly utilized; several German channels provide programming aimed at Austrian audiences; there is intense competition among national and regional newspapers for readership; the ownership of print media is concentrated among a small number of predominantly Austrian and German media organizations (2023)
Internet country code
.at
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
3.48 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
38 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
11.4 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
124 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
2.71 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
30 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Airports
62 (2025)
Railways
total
6,123 km (2022) 3,523 km electrified
Heliports
112 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
1 (2023)
by type
other 1
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OE
Military & Security
Military - note
The main duties of the military involve national defense and maintaining Austria's neutrality; it also has certain responsibilities related to domestic security and disaster response. Each of the nine federal states is equipped with a military command that serves as a liaison between military forces and civil authorities. The primary functions of these commands encompass providing military aid during disasters and assisting security police operations.
Austria's military plays a role in international peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. Since 1955, Austria has been constitutionally non-aligned in military matters, yet it is a member of the EU and actively engages in EU peacekeeping and crisis management efforts as part of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy. Although Austria is not a NATO member, it became part of NATO's Partnership for Peace initiative in 1995 and is involved in several NATO-led crisis management and peacekeeping missions. Since 1960, over 100,000 personnel from the Austrian military and civilian sector have participated in more than 50 international peace support and humanitarian missions (2025).
Military deployments
210 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 100 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer): Land Forces, Air Force, Cyber Forces, Special Operations Forces, Militia (reserves) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals are required to register at the age of 17, which is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; men over 18 are obligated to complete compulsory military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Compulsory service lasts for 6 months, or alternatively, individuals may choose civil/community service (Zivildienst) for 9 months (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal comprises a combination of domestically manufactured and imported weapons from European nations and the United States; the Austrian defense industry produces various types of equipment and collaborates with other countries (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 22,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces (which includes about 14,000 regular troops and roughly 8,000 reservists/militia undergoing refresher training) (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
313,711 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
3,919 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Austrian Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR; initially founded in 1972 as the Austrian Space Agency) (2025)
Space program overview
initiated a national space initiative in 2002; responsible for the development, construction, operation, and monitoring of satellites, which encompass remote sensing and research/scientific satellites; affiliated with the ESA; collaborates closely with ESA, EU member nations, and the private sector to enhance various space capabilities and technologies, including applications for satellite payloads, space travel, and scientific research; engages in multiple ESA/EU initiatives, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Copernicus Earth observation, and the Galileo global navigation satellite system; additionally partners with foreign space organizations and industries, including those from China, India, Russia, and the United States (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1981 - became an associate ESA member (full member in 1987)
1991 - first Austrian in space on Soviet Mir Space Station
2013 - first domestically built science/technology (star observation) satellites (TUGSAT-1 and UniBRITE) launched by India
2017 - worked with China to produce world’s first quantum-encrypted satellite communications teleconference from Beijing to Vienna
2024 - signed US-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for cooperative space exploration
