Austria Facts

Austria, State of Central Europe; 83,856 km², 8.8 million residents (2019). Austria borders in the north to Germany and the Czech Republic, in the east to Slovakia and Hungary, in the south to Slovenia and Italy and in the west to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The capital is Vienna (1.8 million residents, 2014).

Country facts

• Republic of Austria / Republic of Austria
• Country abbreviation: AT (A)
• Area: 83 856 km²
• Population (2019): 8.8 million residents
• Capital: Vienna
• Main language: German
• State: Republic
• Head of State: Alexander Van der Bellen
• Head of Government: Brigitte Bierlein
• Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 51,513
• GNI per capita (2018): US $ 49,260
• Currency unit: euro
• Country number (telephony): 43
• Currency code: EUR
• Internet Domain Name: at
• Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
• National Day: October 26 (Neutrality Day, 1955)

Nature

• Land use: forest (47%), agricultural land (38%), other (15%)
• Highest mountain: Grossglockner (3,797 m asl)

Population

• Population density (2019): 105 residents per km²
• Natural population growth (2019): 0.1%; birth rate 10 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
• Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (14%), 15-64 (67%), 65- (19%)
• Life expectancy (2019): men 79 years, women 84 years
• Infant mortality (2019): 3 per 1,000 live births
• Population forecast 2050: 10 million residents
• HDI (2017): 0.908 (place 20 of 189)
• Urbanization rate (2019): 58%
• Most populous cities (2014): Vienna (1.8 million residents), Graz (270,000), Linz (193,800)

Business

• Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (1%), industry (28%), service (71%)
• Exports (2017): US $ 156,700 million
• Main export products: machinery, vehicles, paper
• Main exporting countries: Germany, USA, Italy
• Imports (2017): US $ 158 100 million
• Main import products: machines, cars, chemicals
• Main importing countries: Germany, Italy, Switzerland
• Railway network (2017): 5,800 km

The majority of Austria consists of mountain ranges that form part of the Eastern Alps. Lower areas outside the Alps are to the north and east. The river network is dense with rivers such as the Danube, which crosses the northern part of the country. Austria has a humid, continental climate.

Austria is a federal republic. The head of state is a six-year elected president of the union. At the federal level, the legislative power is held by a two-chamber parliament, where the members of the National Council are elected for five years. The members of the Federal Council are elected by the nine state parliaments for the same term of office that applies to themselves.

In recent decades, the country’s economy has developed strongly and is characterized by a negative trade balance, a positive balance of services as well as large tourism income and foreign investment. Especially German companies, but also many companies from other countries in Western Europe, have long been established, and in recent times not least US and Japanese investments have increased. The industry consists predominantly of medium-sized family controlled companies.

Austria Map