Austria Vs Australia: A Size Comparison

Austria and Australia are two countries with similar-sounding names but vastly different characteristics. Here is a comparison of the two countries in terms of size, geography, culture, politics, and economy.

Size and Geography

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with an area of approximately 83,871 square kilometres. On the other hand, Australia is a large island continent in the Southern Hemisphere, covering around 7.7 million square kilometres, making it about 92 times bigger than Austria. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has a diverse landscape, including deserts, tropical rainforests, coastal beaches, and fertile plains. In contrast, Austria is bordered by several European countries and is known for its mountain ranges, such as the Alps, and rivers like the Danube.

Culture

The official language of Austria is German, with various dialects spoken throughout the country. Austria has a rich European history and was once part of the powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is known for its classical music and Baroque architecture. Austrian cuisine is heavily influenced by Central European flavours and includes dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, and Strudel.

Australia, on the other hand, has English as its official language, along with some indigenous languages. Its modern history began with the colonisation by the British in the late 18th century, but it was originally settled by Indigenous peoples. Australian culture is a mix of influences, with a focus on outdoor activities and a relaxed social attitude. Australian cuisine reflects its multicultural society, with a variety of food options, including BBQs, meat pies, and Vegemite.

Politics

Politically, Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a directly elected president as head of state. It has a multi-party system and a written constitution established in 1920. Austria's foreign relations focus on neutrality, and it plays a role in UN and EU diplomacy.

Australia, meanwhile, is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy with the British Monarch as its head of state. It has a two-party dominant system and a constitution established in 1901. Australia has close ties with countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Economy

Austria has a social market economy and is part of the EU single market. It has a high-quality education system, particularly in technical and scientific fields, and its healthcare system provides universal coverage. Austria's economy is export-driven, with a focus on machinery, chemicals, and tourism.

Australia, on the other hand, has a mixed-market economy with capitalist tendencies. Its economy is larger and more resource-based, with key sectors including mining, agriculture, finance, and manufacturing. Australia's universities are highly regarded globally, and the country offers a range of financial aid for students.

Obesity rates: Austria has a lower obesity rate than Australia, with 20.1% of people being obese as of 2016 compared to 29.0% in Australia

Australia is about 92 times bigger than Austria, with a land area of approximately 7,741,220 sq km compared to Austria's 83,871 sq km. In terms of population, Australia is home to around 17.2 million more people than Austria, with 26.1 million people in Australia compared to 8.9 million in Austria.

When it comes to obesity rates, Austria has a lower obesity rate than Australia. As of 2016, 20.1% of people in Austria were obese, while in Australia, the obesity rate was 29.0%. This difference in obesity rates between the two countries is significant and may be influenced by a variety of factors such as dietary habits, physical activity levels, and cultural differences.

In Austria, obesity has been recognised as a major health issue, with approximately 900,000 people considered obese. According to a study, 40% of Austrians between the ages of 18 and 65 are overweight, and 11% of those overweight individuals meet the definition of obesity. Forbes ranks Austria as the 52nd fattest country globally, with a rate of 57.1% obesity.

In contrast, Australia has a higher obesity rate, with almost two-thirds (65.8%) of adults considered overweight or obese as of 2022. This marks an increase from 62.8% in 2011-2012. Additionally, males in Australia are more likely to be overweight or obese than females, with 71.2% of males and 60.5% of females falling into these categories.

The discrepancy in obesity rates between Austria and Australia could be attributed to a variety of factors, including cultural differences, dietary habits, and levels of physical activity. It is important to address obesity as a public health issue, as it increases the risk of developing long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.

Unemployment rates: Austria has a higher unemployment rate than Australia, with 5.0% unemployed as of 2022 compared to 3.7% in Australia

Australia is about 92 times bigger than Austria. In terms of unemployment rates, Austria had a higher unemployment rate than Australia in 2022, with 5.0% of Austrians unemployed compared to Australia's 3.7%.

Austria has a population of around 8.9 million people, while Australia is home to about 17.2 million more people, with a population of approximately 26.1 million. Despite Austria's smaller population, the country's unemployment rate was higher than Australia's in 2022.

Austria's unemployment rate of 5.0% in 2022 was a slight increase from the previous year, when 4.7% of Austrians were unemployed. In contrast, Australia's unemployment rate decreased between 2021 and 2022, dropping from 5.12% to 3.7%.

Austria's higher unemployment rate in 2022, despite its smaller population, could be attributed to various factors, such as differences in economic structure, labour market policies, or demographic factors. These factors can influence the availability of jobs and the ease of matching workers to job openings, ultimately impacting each country's unemployment rate.

Top tax rates: Austria has a higher top tax rate than Australia, with a rate of 55.0% compared to 45.0% in Australia as of 2016

Australia is about 92 times bigger than Austria. Austria is approximately 83,871 sq km, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, meaning that Australia is 9,130% larger than Austria.

In terms of population, Australia has around 17.2 million more people than Austria. Austria has a population of about 8.9 million, while Australia's population is roughly 26.1 million.

Now, regarding tax rates, Austria has a higher top marginal income tax rate than Australia. As of 2016, the top tax rate in Austria was 55.0%, compared to 45.0% in Australia. This means that Austria has a higher tax rate on high incomes. The top marginal tax rate in Austria applies to earnings over €1 million ($1.1 million USD), which is one of the highest in Europe. On the other hand, Australia's top tax rate of 45% applies to incomes over $180,000 AUD.

These differences in tax rates can have significant implications for individuals and businesses in each country, potentially impacting investment decisions, talent attraction, and government revenue. It's worth noting that tax systems are complex and consist of various brackets and deductions, so looking at just the top tax rates may not provide a complete picture of the overall tax burden in each country.

Maternal mortality: Austria has a higher maternal mortality rate, with 5.0 women dying per 100,000 births as of 2020 compared to 3.0 in Australia

Australia is about 92 times bigger than Austria in terms of land mass. Austria is approximately 83,871 sq km, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, making Australia over 9,000% larger than Austria. In terms of population, Australia is home to around 26.1 million people, 17.2 million more than Austria's population of 8.9 million.

Now, turning to the topic of maternal mortality rates in the two countries:

Maternal mortality rates refer to the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within a specified time frame after pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. As of 2020, Austria had a maternal mortality rate of 5.0 women dying per 100,000 births, according to one source. Another source states that there were 4 maternal deaths in 2020, down from 5 the previous year. This equates to a maternal mortality rate of 4.0 women per 100,000 births for 2020. Nevertheless, these figures indicate a higher maternal mortality rate in Austria compared to Australia, which had a rate of 3.0 women dying per 100,000 births in the same year.

The maternal mortality rate in Australia was 5 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth in 2018. Between 2009 and 2018, there were 251 women reported to have died during pregnancy or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy in Australia. It is worth noting that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia have a higher incidence of maternal death than non-Indigenous women.

Fertility rates: Austria has a lower fertility rate than Australia, with 9.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024 compared to 12.2 in Australia

When comparing Austria and Australia, it is evident that the two countries differ significantly in terms of size and population. Australia is about 92 times bigger than Austria in terms of land area, with Australia measuring approximately 7,741,220 sq km, while Austria covers around 83,871 sq km. In terms of population, Australia is home to approximately 26.1 million people, whereas Austria's population is roughly 8.9 million. This means there are around 17.2 million more people living in Australia than in Austria.

Now, turning to the topic of fertility rates, we can see that Austria and Australia exhibit contrasting trends. As of 2024, Austria's fertility rate stood at 1.577 births per woman, which translates to approximately 9.3 babies per 1,000 people. In contrast, Australia's fertility rate for the same year was 1.779 births per woman, or about 12.2 babies per 1,000 people. This indicates that Australia has a higher fertility rate than Austria.

The fertility rates in both countries have been on different trajectories over the years. In Austria, the fertility rate has been gradually increasing, with a 0.38% rise from 2023 to 2024, and a projected rate of 1.584 births per woman in 2025. On the other hand, Australia's fertility rate has been declining, with a 0.28% drop from 2023 to 2024. This divergence in fertility rates between the two countries is intriguing and may be influenced by various social, economic, and cultural factors.

It is worth noting that the fertility rates in both countries are below the global average. According to the United Nations, the world's average fertility rate was estimated to be 2.3 births per woman in 2020. This highlights that both Austria and Australia are experiencing below-replacement fertility levels, which could have implications for their population growth and demographic structures in the future.

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