Wealth Comparison: Austria Vs. Uk

Austria and the United Kingdom are two European countries with varying economic profiles. While Austria has a lower GDP and a smaller population, it boasts a higher GDP per capita, indicating a higher standard of living for its residents. This is further supported by statistics showing lower obesity rates, unemployment, and people living below the poverty line compared to the UK. However, the cost of living in Austria is generally higher, with more expensive groceries and a lower purchasing power for locals. This paragraph introduces the topic of comparison between Austria and the UK, highlighting some key economic and social indicators, and will be followed by a more detailed analysis in subsequent paragraphs.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Austria is estimated to be between 20% and 27% less expensive than in the United Kingdom. This is based on the average cost of living for one person, which is $1840 in Austria and $2292 in the UK. However, the average after-tax salary in Austria is enough to cover living expenses for 1.5 months, compared to 1.3 months in the UK.

Rent prices in Austria are 26.1% lower than in the UK, and restaurant prices are 8.2% lower. Groceries, on the other hand, are 14.6% more expensive in Austria. Local purchasing power is 11.8% lower in Austria than in the UK.

When it comes to specific expenses, a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is cheaper in Austria, costing £58.19 compared to £65 in the UK. A McDonald's meal is slightly cheaper in the UK, at £14 compared to £12.47 in Austria. Domestic beer is also cheaper in the UK, at £30.94 compared to £34.24 in Austria.

Transportation costs are higher in the UK, with a monthly public transit pass costing £70, compared to £42.40 in Austria. Taxi fares are also higher in the UK, with a start tariff of £17.40 compared to £20.93 in Austria.

Childcare costs are significantly higher in the UK, with private preschool for one child costing £1,260.11 per month, compared to £255.07 in Austria. International primary school for one child is also more expensive in the UK, costing £15,552.66 per year, compared to £10,320.32 in Austria.

In terms of clothing, a pair of jeans from a store like H&M is slightly cheaper in Austria, at £32.35, compared to £65.01 in the UK. A pair of men's leather business shoes, on the other hand, is more expensive in Austria, costing £75.43, compared to £65.01 in the UK.

Salary and purchasing power

The average monthly net salary (after tax) in the UK is £2,432.13, while in Austria, it is £2,034.70. This difference in salary is reflected in the countries' respective GDP per capita, which is $45,565.00 in the UK and $51,936.00 in Austria. This means that, on average, people in Austria earn 14.8% more than people in the UK.

When it comes to purchasing power, the local purchasing power in Austria is 11.8% lower than in the UK. This means that, despite earning a higher salary on average, Austrians may have to spend a larger proportion of their income on essential goods and services compared to people in the UK.

In terms of cost of living, Austria is generally more affordable than the UK. The average cost of living in Austria is $1840, which is 20% less expensive than in the UK, where the average cost of living is $2292. Rent prices in Austria are 26.1% lower than in the UK, and restaurant prices are 8.2% lower. However, grocery prices in Austria are 14.6% higher than in the UK.

Overall, while people in Austria may earn a higher salary and have a higher GDP per capita, the lower local purchasing power and higher cost of certain goods and services may impact their overall purchasing power and standard of living.

Population and population density

The United Kingdom has a population of around 69.35 million as of January 2025, while Austria's population is roughly 9.12 million as of the same date. In terms of population, the UK ranks 22nd globally, while Austria ranks 99th.

The UK's population density is 287 people per square kilometre, while Austria's is 111 people per square kilometre. The UK's total land area is approximately 242,741 square kilometres, while Austria's is 31,818 square kilometres.

The UK's population is largely urban, with 84.5% living in urban areas as of 2025. London, the capital and largest city, has a metropolitan area population of around 14.9 million, making it the largest in Western Europe. Other major cities include Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, which are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Austria's population is also predominantly urban, with 58.6% living in urban areas as of 2025. Vienna, the federal capital, has a population of about 1.92 million, and one-fifth of Austria's total population resides there. Other major cities in Austria include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Klagenfurt.

The median age in the UK is 40.1 years, while in Austria, it is 43.6 years. Regarding fertility rates, the UK has a higher rate, with 10.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024, compared to 9.3 babies per 1,000 people in Austria during the same period.

In summary, while the UK has a significantly larger population and higher population density than Austria, both countries have urban-centric populations and similar median ages. The UK has a higher fertility rate, but both countries face the common challenge of ageing populations and the potential social and economic implications that arise from this demographic shift.

Obesity rates

Obesity is a significant health concern in both Austria and the UK. In 2016, 20.1% of adults in Austria were obese, while the UK had a higher obesity rate of 27.8%. This difference is further emphasised when considering that individuals in the UK are 38.3% more likely to be obese than those in Austria.

In Austria, obesity is increasingly recognised as a major health issue. Forty percent of Austrians aged 18 to 65 are considered overweight, with eleven percent of those overweight meeting the definition of obesity. Forbes ranks Austria as the 52nd fattest country globally, with approximately 900,000 obese individuals. A lack of exercise is a contributing factor to obesity, and Austrian children are reported to get only 30 minutes of exercise instead of the recommended 60 minutes.

In the UK, obesity is also a critical health concern and a leading preventable cause of death. Alarmingly, former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt described rising rates of childhood obesity as a "national emergency" in 2016. Obesity levels among school-age pupils in reception class and year 6 increased by more than 4 percentage points between 2019-20 and 2020-21, the highest rise recorded by the National Childhood Measurement Programme. By the time children are aged 10 or 11, more than a quarter are obese. Furthermore, data from the Health Survey for England in 2018 indicated that 31% of adults in England were clinically obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. Combining data from 2012 to 2014, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was identified as the local authority with the highest incidence of adult obesity at 35.1%.

The high obesity rates in both Austria and the UK have significant health and economic implications. In the UK, obesity-related medical conditions cost the National Health Service (NHS) approximately £5 billion annually, with wider economic costs of up to £27 billion. Similarly, in Austria, obesity is associated with lower sperm counts in men and an increased risk of various health issues.

Poverty and unemployment rates

In 2021, about 20% of people in the UK lived in poverty, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This is a relative poverty line, meaning that people live in households with an income below 60% of the median in a given year. In 2017, the number was 18.6%. In Austria, the poverty rate is much lower, at 4% as of 2015. However, this rate is rising, especially among children. In 2016, 9.1% of Austrian children lived in a household with a disposable income of less than half the Austrian median income, up from 7% in 2007.

The unemployment rate in Austria was 5.24% in 2023, up from 5% in 2022. In the UK, the unemployment rate was 3.7% in 2022.

The low poverty rate in Austria is partly due to the country's high standard of living. In 2015, Austria was deemed one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Austrian households have higher net adjusted disposable income and experience lower work insecurity. However, the country is struggling to adjust to digitalization, which is creating unequal opportunities for the well-educated, older generations, the less educated, and immigrants.

In the UK, poverty is a significant issue, with about one in five people living in poverty. This includes 8 million working-age adults, 4 million children, and 1.9 million pensioners. Poverty rates are particularly high for families with children, with about 30% of British children now classed as poor. In-work poverty is also a growing problem, with more people struggling to earn enough money to cover basic living expenses, even with two working parents. Changes to the benefits system, rising food prices, and benefit freezes have also contributed to the poverty rate.

Overall, while Austria has a lower poverty and unemployment rate than the UK, it is important to consider the context of each country, including their standard of living, economic situation, and social safety nets.

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