Austria's Population Growth: Is It Sustaining?

Austria's population is growing, but slowly compared to the rest of the world. In 2023, the population growth rate was 1%, a 0.04% increase from 2022. The population of Austria increased from 7.05 million in 1960 to 9.13 million in 2023, a growth of 29.6% in 63 years. The current population of Austria is estimated to be around 9.1 million people, with projections suggesting this will reach 9.94 million by 2080. Austria's population growth is fuelled almost exclusively by immigration, with the number of births and deaths usually balancing each other out. The country's total fertility rate is 1.48 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Austria's population growth is slow compared to other countries

The country's population growth rate was 1% in 2023, a 0.04 percentage point increase compared to the previous year. The population is projected to reach 9.94 million by 2080. However, the country's low fertility rate of 1.41 births per woman, as of the last count, contributes to its slow population growth. The total fertility rate of 2.1 represents the replacement-level fertility needed for each generation to exactly replace itself without requiring international migration.

Austria's population growth is comparable to other European countries. The country's population pyramid illustrates the impact of historical events, such as World War I and the Anschluss to the Third Reich in 1938, on its population distribution. The base of the pyramid is comparatively narrow due to the post-Baby Boom reduction in birth rates, only partially compensated by immigration.

The median age in Austria is around 43-44 years, and the population is ageing. The number and percentage of seniors aged 65 and older are increasing, while the potential workforce remains relatively stable. Additionally, the population of working age is also ageing, which could have implications for the country's economic performance and attractiveness to immigrants in the future.

Immigration is the main driver of population growth

Austria has a history of strong immigration, with four decades of high immigration from other parts of Europe significantly changing the composition of its population. In 2023, an average of 2.4 million people with a migration background lived in Austria, making up 26.7% of the entire population. This is a notable increase from the mid-2000s, when 814,800 foreigners legally lived in Austria, representing 9.8% of the total population.

The number of people with foreign citizenship in Austria has risen sharply in recent years. In 2021, there were more than 1.53 million citizens of foreign countries living in Austria, accounting for 17.1% of the total population. This is a significant increase from 1985, when foreign citizens made up only 3.9% of the population. The biggest group among foreign citizens in Austria are Germans, followed by Romanians, Hungarians, Croatians, and Polish citizens.

Austria's population growth is closely tied to immigration. The country has consistently seen more people migrating to than emigrating from its borders, contributing to its population increase. The impact of immigration is evident in the changing demographics and ethnic makeup of the country.

Austria's population is ageing

The population of Austria is growing slowly compared to the rest of the world, and this slow growth is partly due to a low fertility rate. The total fertility rate in Austria is 1.48 children per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This means that each generation will not be able to replace itself without needing international immigration. In fact, the population of native Austrians has been stagnant or in decline since the 1970s.

The ageing of Austria's population has implications for the country's economy and social structure. With fewer young people entering the workforce, the potential workforce remains relatively stable, and the population of working age is also ageing. This could impact the country's economic productivity and growth. Additionally, as younger generations make up a smaller proportion of the population, they will have to bear a larger burden of supporting the older generations through taxes and social security contributions.

To address the challenges posed by an ageing population, Austria may need to implement policies that encourage higher fertility rates, such as providing more support for working parents or offering financial incentives for having children. Additionally, the country may need to make adjustments to its healthcare and social security systems to accommodate the needs of a larger elderly population.

The majority of Austrian residents live in urban areas

Austria's population is growing, and as of 2020, the country's population was estimated to be 8.9 million people. This growth is in part due to the increasing trend of people moving to urban areas. Indeed, the majority of Austrian residents live in urban settings, with almost 5.2 million people, or approximately 58.5% of the population, residing in urban areas as of 2020. This trend towards urbanisation is expected to continue, with projections estimating that by 2050, around 6.3 million people, or about 70% of the projected population, will live in urban centres.

Vienna, the capital and largest city, is home to nearly 2 million people and is the most populous of all nine states in Austria, with a population density of 4,500 people per square kilometre. The city has experienced consistent growth over the years and is a significant draw for immigrants and international students due to its high quality of life and cultural offerings. Additionally, the Vienna metropolitan area, which includes the surrounding towns and cities, has a population of over 2.6 million people, further highlighting the concentration of the population in urban centres.

Other major urban centres in Austria include Graz, Linz, and Salzburg, which, along with their surrounding urban areas, have populations ranging from approximately 250,000 to 600,000 people each. These cities have also experienced growth and development, attracting residents with their economic opportunities, educational institutions, and cultural attractions. Moreover, many towns and smaller urban centres are located along the Danube River, which has long been an important transportation and trade route, fostering the growth of urban settlements.

The trend towards urbanisation in Austria is influenced by various factors. Firstly, the country's strong economy and low unemployment rates, particularly in urban areas, attract people seeking better employment and career opportunities. Secondly, the high quality of life and standard of living in Austrian cities, as reflected in international rankings, make them desirable places to live. Additionally, the availability of well-developed infrastructure, efficient public transportation systems, and access to healthcare and education further enhance the appeal of urban centres.

The Austrian government has also implemented policies and initiatives to support the development of urban areas and encourage sustainable growth. This includes investments in infrastructure, transportation, and renewable energy projects, as well as efforts to promote social inclusion and cultural diversity in cities. These factors collectively contribute to the growing attractiveness of urban life in Austria and shape the demographic distribution of the country's population.

The median age in Austria is around 43 years

Austria's population has been growing, and this growth is almost exclusively due to immigration. In 2020, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths, but net migration gains were positive. This trend has been consistent since 2011, with 97% of total population growth between 2011 and 2021 attributed to net migration.

Austria's population growth is expected to continue, with projections estimating a population of 9.94 million by 2080. The country's population has been steadily increasing since the late 1950s, when it surpassed 7 million. As of 2021, Austria's population stands at 8.93 million.

The Austrian population is ageing, with the number and percentage of seniors aged 65 and older increasing. This is due to the Baby Boom Generation, born in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching retirement age. The potential workforce is relatively stable, but the population of working age is also ageing.

The median age in Austria is higher than in Least Developed Countries, where the median age is typically 18 or less, but it is comparable to other European countries, which tend to have a median age of 40 or more.

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