Austria's Population: Is It Declining?

Austria's population is projected to reach 9.94 million by 2080, but is it in decline? The answer is not yet, but it is projected to be in the future. Austria's population growth rate is a slow 0.52%, with a low fertility rate of 1.53 births per woman. The population is expected to slowly decline to 8.65 million in 2095, after peaking in 2037. The population growth rate will slow as the fertility rate is expected to continue decreasing. The average age of Austria's population will significantly increase over the next few decades, from 43.5 years in 2020 to 47 years in 2060.

Austria's population growth is driven by immigration

Austria has a history of strong immigration, with four decades of significant influx from other parts of Europe, changing the composition of its population. In 2021, there were over 1.53 million citizens of foreign countries living in Austria, comprising 17.1% of the total population. This is a sharp increase from 1985, when foreign citizens made up only 3.9% of the population. The number of foreign citizens has been steadily rising since 2001, with the majority coming from other EU countries, particularly Germany, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Poland.

The impact of immigration on Austria's population growth is evident when comparing the number of births and deaths to immigration and emigration figures. Between January 1st, 2011, and January 1st, 2021, 97% of the total population growth could be attributed to net migration gains. In contrast, the surplus of births was comparatively low during this period, and in 2020, the number of births was even lower than the number of deaths.

The Austrian population is ageing, with the average age expected to increase from 43.5 years in 2020 to 47.0 years by 2060. This, coupled with the low fertility rate, means that immigration will continue to be a critical factor in sustaining population growth in the coming decades.

Austrians have a low fertility rate

The population of Austria is projected to continue growing until 2037, when it will reach its peak of 9.37 million people. After this, the population will slowly decline, and by 2095 it is expected to be 8.65 million. The population growth rate is currently a slow 0.52%, and with the low fertility rate, this will continue to slow in the coming years.

The Austrian population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. In 2020, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths, and 97% of the total population growth between 2011 and 2021 was attributed to net migration gains. The population of Austria is expected to continue to increase until 2080, when it is projected to reach 9.94 million.

The low fertility rate in Austria is contributing to an aging population. The median age in Austria is currently 43.4 to 43.6 years, and the average age of the population is expected to significantly increase over the next decades, reaching 47.0 years by 2060. The number of people over 65 is increasing, and the potential workforce is remaining relatively stable, although it is also aging.

The population is ageing

Austria's population is ageing. The median age in Austria is projected to increase significantly over the next few decades, from 43.5 years in 2020 to 47 years in 2060. The current median age is 43.4 years as of 2024, and 43.6 years as of 2025.

The Austrian population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. The number of births and deaths are usually more balanced, with one birth and one death every six minutes. However, there is a net gain of one person every 26 minutes, and one net migrant every 26 minutes. This is reflected in the fact that, in 2023, an average of 2.4 million people with a migration background lived in Austria, making up 26.7% of the total population.

The population pyramid for Austria illustrates the ageing population. There are many more women than men, not only in the highest age groups but in all groups from the age of 59 onwards. This is due to women's longer life expectancy. The small numbers at the top of the pyramid can be attributed to the deficit of births during World War I, while the number of children increased rapidly after the Anschluss to the Third Reich in 1938. The largest cohorts were born in the 1950s and 1960s, the Baby Boom Generation, which was further increased by immigration. However, due to the post-Baby Boom reduction in birth rates, the base of the population pyramid is comparatively narrow.

The number and percentage of the senior population of 65 and older is increasing, and this will continue as the Baby Boom Generation reaches retirement age. The potential workforce is remaining relatively stable, but the population of working age is also ageing.

The population density is 111 people per square kilometre

Austria's population density is 111 people per square kilometre. This means that, on average, there are 111 people in Austria for every square kilometre of land. To put it another way, if you were to divide the country's land mass into perfectly even squares measuring one kilometre on each side, each of those squares would contain 111 people, on average.

Austria's population density is the result of a number of factors, including its total land area and total population. The country covers 82,409 square kilometres of land, and has a population of around 9,113,574 people. This means that, in total, there are 82,409 square kilometres of land for those 9,113,574 people to live on.

Population density is a measure of the number of people living in a given space. It is calculated by dividing the total population of a country by the total land area of that country. In the case of Austria, the population of 9,113,574 people is divided by the land area of 82,409 square kilometres, resulting in a population density of 111 people per square kilometre.

It is worth noting that population density can vary within a country, with some areas being more densely populated than others. In Austria, 58.1% to 58.6% of the population lives in urban areas. This means that, while the overall population density is 111 people per square kilometre, the density in urban areas is likely to be higher, and the density in rural areas is likely to be lower.

In comparison to other countries, Austria's population density is relatively low. For example, Monaco has a population density of 19,361 people per square kilometre, while Singapore has a density of 8,019 people per square kilometre. However, it is important to consider the size and geography of a country when comparing population densities, as larger or more mountainous countries may have lower densities due to factors such as terrain and climate.

The median age in Austria is 43-44 years

Austria's median age reflects its aging population. The country has a low birth rate and declining fertility rate. As of 2018, the total fertility rate in Austria was 1.48 children per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This means that each generation is not replacing itself without international immigration. In addition, native Austrians have been in absolute decline since the 1970s.

However, Austria has experienced significant immigration in recent decades, which has changed the composition of its population. As of 2018, about 19% of the population was foreign-born, the second-highest proportion in the EU after Luxembourg. This immigration has helped slow the decline in the country's population.

The median age in Austria is expected to continue rising in the coming years due to the low birth rate and increasing life expectancy. This will have significant social and economic implications for the country, including a higher elderly dependency ratio and a shrinking workforce.

Overall, the median age of 43-44 years in Austria indicates an aging population and a shift towards an older demographic in the country. This has implications for various aspects of society, including healthcare, social security, and economic development.

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