Austria Vs Germany: Population Comparison

Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. Germany is the larger of the two, with a population of 83.2 million, while Austria has a population of around 9 million.

Population

Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. As of 2024, Germany has a population of 83.2 million, while Austria's population is around 9 million. This makes Germany's population more than nine times larger than Austria's.

Germany is one of the most populous countries in the European Union and plays an assertive role in global affairs. Its major population centres include Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Leipzig. In contrast, Vienna, the capital of Austria, has a population of about 2 million. Other major Austrian cities include Graz, Linz, and Salzburg.

Austria's population is expected to grow to 10.55 million by 2080 due to immigration. The country has a high standard of living and is known for its cultural offerings. It is a federal republic consisting of nine federal states, including Vienna, which is both a city and a state.

While German is the official language in both countries, there are notable dialectical differences. Austrians tend to use the informal "du" when addressing people, while Germans tend to use the more formal "Sie" to maintain emotional distance. Additionally, there are variations in vocabulary and pronunciation between the two countries.

In terms of demographics, Austria has a diverse population, with significant Turkish, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Hungarian, and Slovene communities. The country has a declining Christian population, with an increasing number of people identifying as non-religious. The fertility rate is below the replacement rate, and the population is ageing.

Geography

Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. Germany is the larger of the two, with a population of around 83.2 million, while Austria has a population of about 9 million.

Austria is a landlocked country in the Eastern Alps, with a total area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 sq mi). It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country is divided into nine states, with Vienna as the capital.

Austria is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The landscape is characterised by mountains, forests, and lakes. The Austrian Alps can be subdivided into a northern and southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains, and a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation is the Grossglockner, which rises to 3,798 metres (12,460 feet) in the west.

The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are known for their majestic mountains and magnificent scenery. This high Alpine landscape also extends to parts of Carinthia, Salzkammergut, and Styria. North of the Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube River. The lowland area east of Vienna and the northern part of Burgenland can be considered a western extension of the Little Hungarian Plain.

Nearly all Austrian territory drains into the Danube River system. The main watershed between the Black Sea and the North Sea runs across northern Austria, while the watershed between the Danube and the Atlantic and Mediterranean lies along the western border. In the south, the Julian and Carnic Alps mark the watershed of the region draining into the Po River in Italy.

Germany, on the other hand, stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south and the border with Austria. The country's topography is varied, with high Alps in the south, the foothills of the Alps and the Danube River Basin in the centre, and the low-lying North German plains in the north.

Climate

Austria's climate is predominantly alpine due to the dominance of mountains. The eastern part of the country, in the Pannonian Plain and along the Danube Valley, exhibits continental features with less rainfall. Although winters can be cold, summer temperatures can be relatively high, reaching a record high of 40.5°C (105°F) in August 2013.

Natural Resources

Austria is ecologically well-endowed, with more than double the world average of biocapacity. The country produces more than half of its electricity from hydropower, and renewable energy sources account for 62.89% of its energy supply.

History

Germany and Austria have a long and deeply intertwined history. In the mid-19th century, Germany was organised into 35 confederated states. This situation ended with the unification of the Prussian-dominated German Empire in 1871. During this time, the idea of a united "Greater Germany" emerged, which would include the German-speaking peoples of both Austria and Germany. From 1867 to 1918, Austria was part of a dual monarchy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, led by the imperial Habsburg family.

The Habsburg Empire faced increasing instability but endured until the end of the First World War, which resulted in the dissolution of both the German and Austro-Hungarian empires. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria, and Adolf Hitler proclaimed the annexation of Austria by the Third Reich. This marked the beginning of Germany's expansionist policies, which led to the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

At the end of World War II in 1945, Austria was occupied by the Allies and divided into zones of occupation. The new Austrian constitution included a statement of permanent neutrality, which is partly why Austria remains one of the few European nations that is not a member of NATO. In contrast, Germany was divided into two states in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany and the eastern German Democratic Republic. The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western organisations like the EC and NATO, while the communist GDR was part of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, German reunification was achieved in 1990.

Language

Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe with a shared history and culture. German is the official language of both countries, but there are notable differences in the dialects and vocabulary used in each.

The official language of Germany is German, with over 95% of the population speaking German as their first language. German is characterised by a range of different dialects, with a written and spoken standard language, and significant variations in the usage of the standard and local dialects across the country. Northern Germany (the Low German area) is marked by the loss of dialects, with standard German being the vernacular. In Central Germany (the Middle German area), there is a tendency towards dialect loss, while in Southern Germany (the Upper German area), dialects are still in use, particularly in Bavaria.

Recognised minority languages in Germany include Sorbian, spoken by 0.09% in the east of the country, and North Frisian, spoken by around 0.01% in Nordfriesland. Danish is spoken by 0.06%, mainly along the Danish border, and Romani, an indigenous language, is spoken by 0.08%. Immigrant languages spoken by sizable communities include Turkish (c. 1.8%) and Kurdish (c. 0.3%).

German is also the official language of Austria and is considered the lingua franca. However, Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is the main dialect outside of Vorarlberg. The variety of German spoken in Austria differs significantly from Standard German, making it difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand. Alemannic, or Swiss German, is the main dialect in Vorarlberg and is spoken by about 300,000 people. Austro-Bavarian has approximately 8.3 million speakers in Austria, with the northeastern parts of the country, including Vienna, speaking Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, and the southern parts speaking Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects.

In addition to German, several minority languages are spoken in Austria, some of which have official status. These include Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Romani, and sign language. In the mixed-language districts of Carinthia, Slovene is also considered an official language, and in some districts of Burgenland, Hungarian and Croatian have equal status to German. Serbo-Croatian is the largest minority language in Austria, spoken by more than 4% of the population, followed by Turkish, spoken by 2.3%.

Culture

Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries with a shared Germanic heritage and a long history of cultural exchange. While they have many similarities, there are also some notable differences between the two countries' cultures.

Language

German is the official language of both Germany and Austria, but there are distinct variations in dialect and accent between the two countries. Austrian German is more lilting and less crisp than German German, and there are many differences in vocabulary. For example, in Austria, a pancake is called a "Palatschinken", while in Germany, it's a "Pfannkuchen". Austrians also tend to be more indirect and elaborate in their communication style, while Germans prefer short and concise phrasing.

Lifestyle and Social Norms

Generally speaking, Austrians are considered more outgoing and cheerful than Germans, who are often more formal and reserved, especially upon first meeting. Austrians also tend to be more direct and honest in their communication, and they value social connections and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Austrians are known for their characteristic way of enjoying life ("Gemutlichkeit"), strong coffee, healthy lifestyles, and love of sports and music. Austrians also work hard to satisfy their basic needs and create a comfortable life for themselves and their families.

Food and Drink

Austrian and German cuisines have a lot of overlap, with hearty meals, meat, bread, and potatoes being common in both. However, Austrian cuisine is heavily influenced by Eastern European and Italian cooking, while German cuisine has a stronger focus on sausages and beer. Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte (chocolate cake), and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). German cuisine includes dishes like Bratwurst (grilled sausage), Sauerkraut, pretzels, and Black Forest cake. Both countries have a strong coffee culture, with Vienna and Berlin being known for their historic coffee houses.

Arts and Entertainment

Austria and Germany have a rich history of musical innovation, particularly in classical and folk music. Vienna, in particular, has been a centre of musical innovation, attracting composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. Both countries also have thriving film industries, with famous directors like Fritz Lang and Volker Schlöndorff. Germany is also known for its board games, with popular games like The Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne originating there.

Frequently asked questions