Austria's Currency: Understanding The Euro's History And Usage

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of around 9 million. The country has a rich religious history, with Christianity being the predominant faith. In this predominantly Christian country, what denominations do Austrians follow?

The history of denominations in Austria

Austria's history of currency denominations is a long and complex one, with many changes occurring over the centuries.

During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, when Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, several currencies and coins were used across the ruled lands. The florin and the crown/krone were in use before 1919, when Austria gained its independence. The Austrian krone was introduced in 1892, and its symbol was K. One krone was divided into 100 hellers.

In 1919, following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I, the Austrian crown was introduced. This was followed by a new series of coins in 1925, known as the Austrian schilling, which replaced the krone at a rate of 10,000:1. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen. However, this currency was short-lived, as Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, and the schilling was replaced by the Reichsmark.

After World War II, the second Austrian schilling was introduced, once again divided into 100 groschen. This currency remained in use until the adoption of the euro in 1999, with euro coins and notes being introduced in 2002.

The most common denominations in Austria

Austria is predominantly a Christian country, with 68.2% of the population identifying as Christian in a 2021 national survey. The most common denominations in Austria are outlined below.

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is the most common denomination in Austria, with 50.6% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic in 2023. Austria has historically been a strongly Catholic country, dating back to the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918) which championed the religion. In 2017, 57.9% of the total population identified as Catholic.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the second most common denomination in Austria, with 7.2% of Christians identifying as Orthodox in 2021. This has grown from 2.2% in 1971. The largest group of Eastern Orthodox Christians in Austria are Serbs.

Protestantism

Protestantism is the third most common denomination in Austria, with 5.6% of Christians identifying as Protestant in 2021. The Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria is a Lutheran denomination and is the most common form of Protestantism in the country. In 2016, there were an estimated 412,423 Protestants of all types in Austria.

Islam

Islam is the largest minority religion in Austria, with 7.9% of the total population identifying as Muslim in 2016. This has grown from 0.2% in 1971. The majority of Muslims in Austria belong to the Sunni denomination, and most came to the country during the 1960s as migrant workers from Turkey and Yugoslavia.

The denominations with official recognition in Austria

Austria is predominantly a Christian country, with 68.2% of the population identifying as such in the 2021 national survey. The country has historically been strongly Catholic, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918) which championed Roman Catholicism. However, in recent decades, there has been a decline in Christianity, with the exception of Orthodox churches, and a proliferation of other religions, particularly in the capital state of Vienna.

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is the largest denomination in Austria, with 50.6% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic in 2023. The Catholic Church in Austria is governed by the Austrian Conference of Catholic Bishops, which includes the hierarchy of two archbishops (Vienna and Salzburg), bishops, and the abbot of the territorial abbey of Wettingen-Mehrerau. Each bishop is independent within their diocese and answers only to the Pope.

Protestantism

Protestantism is the second-largest Christian denomination in Austria, with 2.7% adhering to Protestant churches in 2023. The main Protestant denomination is the Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria, which is a Lutheran denomination. It is headed by a bishop and consists of seven dioceses, each headed by a superintendent. These dioceses are broadly aligned territorially with the federal states of the Republic of Austria.

Orthodox Christianity

Orthodox Christianity has grown in recent decades due to the arrival of South Slavic immigrants from the Balkans. In 2021, 7.2% of Christians in Austria were Orthodox, with the majority belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church. The largest group of Eastern Orthodox Christians in Austria are Serbs.

Islam

Islam is the largest minority religion in Austria, with 7.9% of the total population practising it in 2016. The majority of Muslims in Austria are Sunni and belong to the Islamic Glaubensgemeinschaft in Österreich (Community of Muslim Believers in Austria). Most Muslims in the country arrived during the 1960s as migrant workers from Turkey and Yugoslavia, with additional communities of Arab and Afghan origin.

Judaism

Judaism has a long history in Austria, with a significant Jewish population residing in Vienna before World War II. The Jewish community was greatly reduced during the Holocaust, and today, most Jews in Austria are post-war immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Buddhism

Buddhism is a legally recognised religion in Austria, with thousands of adherents. The majority of Buddhists in the country are Austrian nationals, with a significant number of foreign nationals as well. Vienna, the capital, has the longest tradition of Buddhism in the country and is home to most of Austria's Buddhist temples and centres of practice.

Hinduism

Hinduism is a minority religion in Austria, with around 3,629 people identifying as Hindu in the 2001 census. The 'Hindu Community in Austria' (HRÖ) has been recognised as an 'Official Registered Confessional Community' since 1998 but does not have full legal recognition from the state.

The denominations with the most adherents in Austria

Roman Catholicism

Austria has historically been a strongly Catholic country, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy from 1273 to 1918, which championed Roman Catholicism. In 2023, 50.6% of the population were Roman Catholics. Catholicism is the largest religion in Austria, representing 57.9% of the total population in 2017.

Islam

Islam in Austria is the largest minority religion in the country, practised by 7.9% of the total population in 2016 and 8.3% in 2021, according to the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The majority of Muslims in Austria belong to the Sunni denomination. Most Muslims came to Austria during the 1960s as migrant workers from Turkey and Yugoslavia.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches have grown in recent decades due to the arrival of South Slavic immigrants from the Balkans to Austria. The largest group of Eastern Orthodox Christians in Austria are Serbs. In 2016, there were an estimated 397,219 Eastern Orthodox Christians in Austria, representing 4.6% of the total population.

Protestantism

In 2023, 2.7% of the Austrian population adhered to Protestant churches. The Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria is a Lutheran denomination in the country. It is headed by a bishop and consists of seven dioceses, each headed by a superintendent. In 2016, there were an estimated 300,000 Lutherans in Austria, representing 3.4% of the population.

The denominations with the least adherents in Austria

Austria is predominantly a Christian country, with 68.2% of the population identifying as such according to a 2021 national survey. Among Christians, the majority are Catholics (80.9%), followed by Orthodox Christians (7.2%), Protestants (5.6%), and other Christians (6.2%).

However, there are also smaller religious denominations in Austria, which make up a smaller percentage of the population. Here is an overview of some of the denominations with the least adherents in the country:

• Jehovah's Witnesses: Around 21,800 adherents or 0.2% of the population in 2021.
• Judaism: Around 5,400 adherents or 0.1% of the population in 2021. While there was a significant Jewish population of around 200,000 before World War II, this number was reduced to a few thousand due to the Holocaust and emigration.
• Hinduism: Around 10,100 adherents or 0.1% of the population in 2021. Hinduism is a minority religion in Austria, and it is not officially recognized by the state.
• Buddhism: Followed by thousands of people, but the exact number is not specified. Buddhism is legally recognized and enjoys widespread acceptance in Austria.
• Paganism: There has been a growth of Pagan movements in recent years, but no specific numbers are provided.
• Mennonite: With approximately 402 adherents in 2022, Mennonites are a small religious group in Austria.
• Quakers: The number of Quakers in Austria is less than 500 as of 2017.

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