Lyla Lindsey
Austria's population is around 8.93 million, with 5.93 million people of working age and 1.72 million over the age of 65. The population density is 111 people per square kilometre, and 58.57% of the population live in urban areas. The population is growing almost exclusively through immigration, with 793,000 citizens from other EU countries living in Austria. The median age in Austria is 43.6 years, and the country's population is ageing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 8.93 million (2021) 9,158,750 (2024) |
| Population growth | 0.11% of the total world population |
| Population density | 111 per Km² (286 people per square mile) |
| Land area | 82,409 Km² (31,818 sq. miles) |
| Urban population | 58.57% (5,337,973 people in 2025) |
| Median age | 43.6 years |
| Foreign citizens | 1.53 million (2021) 814,800 (2006) |
| Percentage of foreign citizens | 17.1% (2021) 9.8% (2006) |
| Native German speakers | 88.6% |
| Non-German speakers | 11.4% |
| GDP per capita | €46,200 |
| GDP per inhabitant | €49,300 |
| Global rank | 99 |
| Capital | Vienna |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and immigration
Historically, World War I and the Anschluss to the Third Reich in 1938 impacted Austria's population dynamics. The aftermath of World War I left a deficit of births, reflected in the smaller cohorts of individuals currently in their late seventies. Conversely, the period following the Anschluss witnessed a rapid increase in births, resulting in a larger population segment in their late eighties.
The post-World War II era and the early post-war years saw a decline in the birth rate, contributing to the "notches" in the population pyramid for those aged 74 to 78. However, the largest population cohorts were born in the 1950s and 1960s, known as the Baby Boom Generation, which was further augmented by immigration. This generation is now approaching retirement age, contributing to an ageing population.
Austria's population growth in recent decades has been predominantly driven by immigration. Between 2011 and 2021, 97% of the country's total population growth was attributed to net migration gains, with 539,905 people added to the population through immigration. During the same period, the surplus of births was comparatively low, and in 2020, the number of births even fell below the number of deaths.
The number of people with foreign citizenship in Austria has fluctuated over the years. In the early 1990s and recently, sharp increases in immigration led to a higher number and percentage of the population with foreign citizenship. As of 2021, more than 1.53 million citizens of foreign countries resided in Austria, comprising 17.1% of the total population. This includes citizens from other EU countries, who account for 52% of all foreign citizens in Austria.
In summary, Austria's population growth has been significantly influenced by immigration, particularly in recent years. The country's ageing population, partially due to the post-Baby Boom reduction in birth rates, has resulted in a comparatively narrow base of the population pyramid. The impact of historical events, such as World Wars I and II, has also left imprints on the population structure, with the Baby Boom Generation being the largest cohort.
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Population density
Austria has a population density of 111 people per square kilometre or 286 people per square mile. The country's total land area is 82,409 square kilometres (31,818 square miles).
Austria's population density is influenced by its relatively small land area and its position as a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by several countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Austria's population is growing, with a current population of around 9 million people. This growth is driven almost exclusively by immigration, with the number of people migrating to the country exceeding those emigrating. Between 2011 and 2021, 97% of Austria's total population growth could be attributed to net migration gains. This has resulted in a notable increase in the number of people with foreign citizenship in the country. 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 urban population in Austria contributes to the overall population density, with 58.57% of the population living in urban areas. The capital city, Vienna, is the most populous city in the country, and its high population density contributes significantly to the overall density of Austria.
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Urbanisation
Austria's population is around 8.93 million, with a population density of 111 people per square kilometre. The country's most populous city is its capital, Vienna.
In 2023, 59.53% of Austria's population lived in urban centres, a slight increase from 58.57% in 2022. However, it's worth noting that the definition of "urban" can vary from country to country, so international comparisons may be inconsistent.
Austria's population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. Between 2011 and 2021, 97% of the country's total population growth could be attributed to net migration gains. During this period, there were 136,343 immigrations and 96,279 emigrations, resulting in a net migration gain of 40,064. The largest group of immigrants are Germans, followed by Romanians, Hungarians, Croatians, and Poles.
The population of Austria has been influenced by historical events, such as World War I and World War II, which caused fluctuations in the birth rate. Following World War II and during the early post-war era, the birth rate dropped, resulting in a smaller cohort of individuals who are now in their 70s. The Baby Boom Generation, born in the 1950s and 1960s, also contributed to the population growth, and this generation is now reaching retirement age.
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Religious demographics
Austria has a population of around 8.93 million people, with 58.57% living in urban areas. The median age is 43.6 years, and the population is growing almost exclusively through immigration.
Austria is predominantly a Christian country, with 68.2% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 national survey. Of these, 80.9% are Catholics, 7.2% are Orthodox Christians (mostly Eastern Orthodox), 5.6% are Protestants, and 6.2% are other Christians belonging to different denominations or not affiliated with any denomination.
The recognition of churches and religious communities in Austria is governed by various statutory enactments. Officially recognized churches include the Catholic Church, Protestant Church, Greek Oriental Church, Judaism, Islam, Old Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Mormon Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, New Apostolic Church, Buddhism, and various Orthodox Churches.
The number of Muslims in Austria has grown exponentially in recent decades due to immigration from the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East. In 2016, it was estimated that 7.9% of the population, or 686,599 people, were Muslim, up from 4.2% in 2001.
Austria also has a small but recognized community of Buddhists, as well as Quakers, Mennonites, and other religious minorities.
The relationship between the state and religious communities is governed by principles of equality and non-discrimination. Residents of Austria have the freedom to join or leave any religious group or abstain from joining any, as guaranteed by the country's laws.
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Age and gender distribution
The population of Austria is around 8.93 million, with a median age of 43.6 years. The population is ageing, with the number and percentage of over-65s increasing as the Baby Boom Generation reaches retirement age. The base of the population pyramid is comparatively narrow, with fewer children under 15 than those over 65. This is due to a reduction in birth rates since the Baby Boom, which has only been partially compensated for by immigration. In 2020, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths for the first time since 2013.
The population of Austria is growing almost exclusively through immigration. In 2020, there were 136,343 immigrations and 96,279 emigrations, resulting in a net migration gain of 40,064. This was similar to the figure in 2019, which was 40,613. 97% of Austria's total population growth between 1st January 2011 and 1st January 2021 can be attributed to net migration gains. The number of people with foreign citizenship rose sharply in the early 1990s and again in recent years. At the beginning of 2021, there were more than 1.53 million citizens of foreign countries living in Austria, accounting for 17.1% of the total population. In 1985, about 297,000 or 3.9% of the population were foreign citizens. By 1994, this number had risen to around 665,000, or 8.4% of the total population. 793,000 citizens from other EU countries live in Austria, representing 52% of all foreign citizens.
The majority of the Austrian population is of working age, with about two-thirds (66.4%) between 15 and 64 years old. 14.4% are preschool or compulsory school-age children, and 19.2% are elderly people of retirement age or over.
In terms of gender distribution, there are more women than men in almost all age groups from the age of 59 upwards. This is due to women's longer life expectancy. However, there are more boys than girls among newborns, with 41,259 out of 87,633 newborns in 2017 having a Catholic mother, and 12,514 having a Muslim mother.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Austria is 8.93 million as of 2021.
The population density of Austria is 111 people per square kilometre or 286 people per square mile.
97% of Austria's population growth between 2011 and 2021 can be attributed to net migration.
The median age in Austria is 43.6 years.
88.6% of the population of Austria are native German speakers.
