Leslie Massey
Austria has a long history of religious diversity and tolerance, guaranteeing freedom of religion as a statutorily protected right. While the country has been predominantly Christian, with a strong Roman Catholic influence, it has also been shaped by other faiths, including Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. The Austrian landscape is dotted with beautiful churches, shrines, monasteries, and cathedrals, reflecting the religious traditions of its people. With increasing secularism and criticism of conservative stances within the Catholic Church, Austria's religious landscape is evolving, and the decline in Catholicism has made way for a rise in Islam, atheism, and other religions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dominant Religion | Christianity |
| Percentage of Christians | 68.2% |
| Percentage of Catholics | 50.6% to 55.2% |
| Percentage of Orthodox Christians | 4.9% to 7.2% |
| Percentage of Protestants | 3.8% to 5.6% |
| Percentage of Muslims | 7.9% to 8.3% |
| Percentage of Jews | 0.1% |
| Percentage of Buddhists, Hindus, and other non-Christian religions | 1.2% |
| Percentage of people with no religion | 22.4% |
| Religious Freedom | Guaranteed by the Austrian Constitution |
| Legal Recognition of Religions | 14 to 16 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Austria
Austria has strong historical Catholic roots, dating back to when the country was part of the Roman Empire. In the 16th century, during the Counter-Reformation, the Habsburgs imposed a strict regime to restore the influence of the Catholic Church, repressing all other Christian confessions and religions. This campaign was successful, and the Habsburgs viewed themselves as the vanguard of Catholicism. The influence of the Catholic Church in Austria continued until World War II, when the Church was subject to oppression and persecution during the German annexation of the country. Many religious leaders and laypersons were persecuted, deported to concentration camps, tortured, executed, or driven to suicide.
Despite the decline in recent years, Catholicism still plays a significant role in Austrian society and culture. Many Austrians continue to practise Catholic traditions such as baptism, confirmation, marriage, and funerals. Additionally, the Catholic Church's influence can be seen in the delay of legalising gay marriage in Austria until 2019. However, it is worth noting that many Austrians who identify as Catholic may not hold Catholic beliefs on central social and moral issues.
Austria guarantees freedom of religion in its constitution, allowing for a diverse religious landscape. The country recognises many other Christian churches besides Catholicism, including Protestant, Greek Oriental, Serbian Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox churches. Additionally, there are numerous smaller recognised churches, such as the Armenian Apostolic, Methodist, and Latter-Day Saints. The concept of freedom of religion in Austria also includes freedom of creed, allowing citizens to choose their religion and providing legal protection for religious doctrines and events.
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Religious freedom is guaranteed in the Austrian constitution
The dominant religion in Austria is Christianity, with 68.2% of the country's population identifying as Christians in a 2021 national survey. Among Christians, 80.9% are Catholics, 7.2% are Orthodox Christians, 5.6% are Protestants, and the remaining 6.2% belong to other Christian denominations or are unaffiliated with any specific denomination.
Religious Freedom in the Austrian Constitution
Austria has a long history of guaranteeing religious freedom for its citizens, which is protected by the country's constitution. This right to religious freedom was first established with the Patents of Tolerance of 1781/1782, issued by Emperor Joseph II during the era of Austrian enlightenment. These patents allowed different religious confessions to practice their faith with limited freedom. Over time, this foundation was built upon with various laws and acts, solidifying religious freedom as a fundamental right in Austria.
Article 14 of the Basic Law on the General Rights of Nationals of 1867 is particularly significant. It guarantees freedom of conscience and creed, ensuring that every resident of Austria has the right to join or leave any religious group of their choosing or to abstain from joining any religious group altogether. This article, in conjunction with the Law regarding Inter-confessional Relationships of 1868, forms the core legal framework for religious freedom in the country.
Additionally, Austria's commitment to religious freedom is further strengthened by its international obligations. Article 63, paragraph 2 of the State Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye of 1919 and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950 provide an enhanced framework for protecting the religious freedom of all individuals in the country.
Today, Austria continues to uphold religious freedom as a fundamental right. All churches and religious communities, regardless of their legal recognition or registration status, are protected by law. The Austrian government generally respects the right to religious freedom, as evidenced by its engagement with various religious groups and its efforts to combat anti-Semitism and promote religious dialogue and tolerance.
However, it is important to note that there have been challenges and controversies regarding the treatment of certain religious groups, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Muslim community. Despite these issues, Austria remains committed to ensuring religious freedom for all its citizens, as guaranteed by its constitution and international commitments.
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The influence of the Church in everyday life is declining
Austria has long been a predominantly Catholic country, with the religion shaping the country culturally and historically. Since the fall of the Habsburg monarchy at the end of World War I, the influence of the Catholic Church has been in decline. In the 1950s, 90% of Austria's population was baptised, but by 2017, only 57.9% of the population identified as Catholic. This decline in religious affiliation has continued, with 55.2% identifying as Catholic in 2021 and 50.6% in 2023.
There are several reasons for the decline in the influence of the Church in Austria. Firstly, the Catholic Church has faced criticism for its conservative stance on various social issues, such as emancipation and homosexuality. This has led to a growing number of people, especially the younger generation, withdrawing their membership from the Church when they reach adulthood. The introduction of an Austrian Church Tax, which amounts to 1.1% of an individual's total annual salary, has also been a contributing factor. Additionally, there have been revelations of past mistreatment of children by Catholic religious leaders, which has further contributed to the decline in Catholicism in the country.
Another factor influencing the decline of the Church's influence is the increasing religious diversity in Austria. With immigration, particularly from Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, and the Balkans, there has been a growth in the number of Muslims and Serbian Orthodox Christians in the country. As of 2021, 8.3% of the population identified as Muslim, and this trend is expected to continue. Additionally, the proportion of people who do not affiliate with any religion has also been growing, with 22.4% of the population identifying as such in 2021.
Despite the decline in the influence of the Catholic Church, Christianity still plays a significant role in Austrian traditions and culture. Beautiful churches, shrines, monasteries, and cathedrals can be found throughout the country, often located in the centre of towns. Additionally, the Austrian government recognises the importance of religious freedom and guarantees the right to freedom of religion and conscience for all individuals and religious groups. There are currently 16 legally recognised churches and religious communities in Austria, and the law provides special protection for religious facilities and properties.
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Islam is the second-largest religion in Austria
Austria is a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. While the dominant religion in the country is Christianity, with 68.2% of the population adhering to it, Islam is the second-largest religion in Austria. In 2021, 8.3% of Austrians identified as Muslims, up from 0.2% in 1971. The number of Muslims in Austria has increased due to immigration, particularly from Turkey, former Yugoslavia, and the Balkans. The present-day Islamic community is diverse, with people from various backgrounds and ethnic groups. The largest Muslim community is the Turks, who make up around 80% of the Muslim population in Austria.
The history of Islam in Austria dates back centuries. The first evidence of Muslims in the region was in 895 when nomadic tribes from Asia entered the area that is now modern-day Austria. Following the Ottoman conquest of the Medieval kingdom of Hungary in the 16th century, more Muslims settled in the territory. However, they were expelled after the Habsburg Empire regained control of the region in the late 17th century. A few Muslims were allowed to stay after the signing of the Treaty of Passarowitz in 1718.
In the 19th century, Austria closely related with Islamic populations in the Balkans as the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This historical context has contributed to relatively unproblematic relations between Islam and the country. A law passed in 1867 guaranteed respect for all religions in the empire, granting Muslims the right to establish mosques and practice their faith. The first mosque was built in Vienna in 1887 with government assistance to cater to Muslims serving in the Austrian army.
In 1904, Bosnian Muslim students in Vienna established the first Muslim association in Austria, the "Islamite Academic Association 'Zvijezda'". The recognition of Islam as a religious community in Austria, officially referred to as the 'Islamic Religious Community', gained traction after the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878 and its annexation in 1908. In 1912, Islam was officially recognized in Austria. The number of Muslims in Austria has continued to grow, with naturalization increasing significantly, especially for immigrants from Turkey and Bosnia.
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Austria has strong Catholic roots historically
Austria has strong Catholic roots that go back to before the country was established as a nation-state. In the 16th century, during the time of the Protestant Reformation, almost half of the Austrian population converted to Lutheranism, while a minority also endorsed Calvinism. However, in the latter half of the 16th century, Austria was recatholicized during the Counter-Reformation. The Habsburgs imposed a strict regime to restore the influence of the Catholic Church among Austrians, and their campaign proved successful. The Habsburgs viewed themselves as the vanguard of Catholicism, and all other religions were repressed.
In 1781, in the era of Austrian enlightenment, Emperor Joseph II issued a Patent of Tolerance that allowed other confessions a limited freedom of worship. Religious freedom was later declared a constitutional right in Cisleithania in 1867, paying tribute to the fact that the monarchy was home to numerous religions besides Catholicism, including Greek, Serbian, Romanian, Russian, and Bulgarian Orthodox Christians, both Calvinist and Lutheran Protestants, and Jews.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, Austria has seen a radical change in its religious composition, largely due to historical events such as World War II and immigration. The Catholic Church was subject to oppression and persecution during the German annexation of Austria, and many religious leaders and laypersons were persecuted and deported to concentration camps. Since the end of World War II, the Catholic religion and the church's influence have been on a decline. While in the 1950s, 90% of Austria's population was baptized, this number has since decreased to 50.6% as of 2023.
Despite the separation of church and state in Austria, strong Catholic sentiment still influences society and even lawmaking. For example, gay marriage in Austria was only approved in 2019. Many Austrians continue to practise Catholic traditions that mark seminal life events, such as baptism, confirmation, marriage, and funerals. However, most Austrians who identify as Catholic do not necessarily hold Catholic beliefs on central social and moral issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The dominant religion in Austria is Christianity, with 68.2% of the country's population identifying as Christian in a 2021 national survey. Within this, the majority are Catholic.
In the same 2021 survey, 8.3% of Austrians identified as Muslim. This is up from 0.2% in the 1971 census.
22.4% of Austrians declared they did not belong to any religion, denomination or religious community in the 2021 survey.
