Leslie Massey
Austria is a country in Central Europe with a population of over 9 million people and a land area of 83,878 square kilometres. The country is characterised by its mountainous landscape, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country and comprising 62% of its total area. The relationship between population and landmass in Austria is an interesting one, with the majority of the population concentrated in a few urban areas, leaving much of the country's landmass relatively sparsely populated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 9,159,993 residents (as of 1 January 2024) |
| Land Area | 83,878 square kilometres |
| Population Density | 109 people per square kilometre |
| Foreign Citizens | 1,801,184 (19.6% of the total population) |
| Population in Vienna | 21% of the total population |
| Population in Other Cities | 9% of the total population |
| Population in Rural Areas | 55% of the total population |
| Mountain Coverage | 70% of the country |
| Forest Cover | 47% of the total land area |
| Natural Regenerating Forest | 2,227,500 hectares |
| Planted Forest | 1,671,500 hectares |
| Annual Population Growth Rate (2006) | 0.4% |
| Ethnic Groups | Germans (91%), Turks, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma |
| Religions | Roman Catholic (73.6%), Lutheran (4.7%), Muslim (4.2%), No Confession (12%) |
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What You'll Learn
Population density in Vienna
Austria has a land area of 83,878 square kilometres and a population of 9,159,993 residents (as of 1 January 2024). Nearly 40% of Austrians have a migration background, with the majority coming from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Vienna, the capital, is home to around 1.7 million people, spread across 23 districts. The population density in Vienna is approximately 4,000 people per square kilometre, but this varies across the city, with some districts more densely packed than others.
Vienna has a rich history, dating back to the 1st century when the Romans established the military camp of Vindobona, which later became a thriving civilian town with a population of around 15,000. The city has endured sieges, plagues, and wars, and has been a centre of classical music and artistic culture. It is known for its beautiful buildings and has been voted one of the best cities in the world for quality of life.
Vienna's population is diverse, with nearly 40% of residents having migrant backgrounds. The city has a strong reputation for its cultural offerings, both musically and artistically, and has been home to many renowned composers and artists. Vienna's history is also reflected in its architecture, with historical buildings and points of interest concentrated in the "Inner Stadt" (city centre). This area is surrounded by the "Ringstraße," a boulevard that separates the centre of Vienna from the surrounding districts.
The southern and eastern areas of Vienna are predominantly industrial, with new buildings more prevalent in the south. The population density in these areas may be higher due to the presence of industrial zones and newer developments. However, it is important to note that the population distribution in Vienna is uneven, and some districts may have lower population densities despite being officially part of the city.
Overall, Vienna's population density of 4,000 people per square kilometre contributes to its vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city's rich history, cultural offerings, and economic opportunities make it a desirable place to live, attracting people from diverse backgrounds and contributing to its high population density.
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Austria's geographic position
The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the backbone of the country. The Eastern Alps are the most extensive area, constituting 62% of the nation's total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 12%, while the foothills in the east and the Pannoni low country periphery make up about 12% of the landmass. The Austrian granite plateau, a lower mountain region, occupies 10% of the country in the north, and the remaining 4% is comprised of the Austrian portion of the Vienna basin.
The Danube River, which nearly all of Austria's territory drains into, plays a vital role in shaping the country's geography. It winds its way between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia before flowing into the Hungarian Plain. Vienna, Austria's capital, is situated where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains.
Following World War II, Austria established permanent neutrality in 1955, coinciding with the withdrawal of Allied troops. This neutrality, along with its central location, has allowed Austria to develop strong international connections. It joined the United Nations and later became a member of the European Union, playing host to organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
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Austria's landmass composition
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, covering an area of 83,878 or 83,879 square kilometres. It is a federation of nine states, with a population of around 9 million people. The landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Eastern Alps constituting 62% of the nation's total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for 12% of the landmass, while the foothills in the east and areas surrounding the Pannoni low country make up another 12%. The Austrian granite plateau, located in the central area of the Bohemian Mass, constitutes 10% of the country's landmass, while the remaining 4% is made up of the Vienna basin.
The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with majestic mountains and magnificent scenery. The Alps can be subdivided into a northern and southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a central range with a softer form, made up of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in Austria is the Grossglockner, rising to 3,798 meters in the west. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are particularly known for their Alpine landscape.
The northeastern part of Austria is defined by the Danube River, which winds its way between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia. Vienna, the capital and most populous city, is situated where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains. The lowland area east of Vienna can be considered a western extension of the Little Alföld, or Little Hungarian Plain.
Nearly all of Austria's territory drains into the Danube River system. The main watershed between the Black Sea and the North Sea runs across northern Austria, while the watershed between the Danube and the river systems emptying into the Atlantic and the Mediterranean forms the western political boundary of the country.
In terms of forest cover, Austria has approximately 3,899,150 hectares of forest, which is around 47% of its total land area. Of this, 2,227,500 hectares are naturally regenerating, while 1,671,500 hectares are planted.
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Population distribution in Austria
Austria is a small country with a land area of 82,409 km squared (31,818 sq. miles) and a population of 9,159,993 residents as of January 2024. The population density in Austria is 111 people per square kilometre (or 286 per square mile). The population is distributed across nine provinces, each with its own capital.
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are known for their majestic mountains and high Alpine scenery. The high Alpine character also extends to the western part of the state of Kärnten (Carinthia) and to the Alpine blocks of the state of Steiermark (Styria). The Austrian territory is also defined by the Danube River, which flows between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in its journey toward the Hungarian Plain. The Austrian capital, Vienna, lies in the area where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains.
The population of Austria is relatively small compared to the country's land area, with its people spread across a diverse geographic landscape. The median age in Austria is 43.6 years, and the country has a fertility rate of 1.52 births per woman, which is lower than the global average of 2.4. As of 2023, 32% of newborns had mothers with foreign nationality, and 34.7% had foreign-born mothers. The foreign-born population in Austria has been steadily increasing and stood at 19% in 2018, the second-highest foreign-born proportion of all EU countries after Luxembourg. In 2023, an average of 2.4 million people with migration backgrounds lived in Austria, representing 26.7% of the total population. The most common groups of foreign residents in Austria as of 2023 were German, Turkish, former Yugoslavian, and Hungarian.
Austria's population is predominantly urban, with 58.57% of the population living in urban areas as of 2025. The largest city is Vienna, which is known for its rich cultural life and musical history. The population of Vienna and other urban centres in Austria benefits from the country's central location in Europe, which has historically made it a hub for trade and cultural exchange.
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Austria's population growth
Austria is a small country in central Europe, with a total land area of 82,409 km squared (31,818 sq. miles). As of 2025, Austria's population is estimated to be 9,113,574, with a population density of 111 people per square km (286 per square mile). This population figure is projected to have risen from 7.4 million in 2003 to 9.1 million in 2024, including 1.8 million foreign citizens (19.6% of the total population).
Austria has experienced significant immigration, with 814,800 foreigners legally living in the country in 2006, representing 9.8% of the total population. This figure rose to 1.27 million foreign-born residents in 2010, or 15.2% of the total population, the second-highest foreign-born proportion in the EU after Luxembourg. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born people was around 19% of the total population. In 2023, 32% of newborns had mothers with foreign nationality, and 34.7% had foreign-born mothers. The most common groups of foreign residents in Austria are German, Turkish, and Kurds.
Austria's native population has experienced stagnant demographics since World War I and has been in absolute decline since the 1970s. Despite this, the overall population has grown due to immigration. The country's population growth has also been impacted by its stable political environment and social progressiveness, contributing to its attractiveness as a place to live and work.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 1 January 2024, Austria had a population of 9,159,993 residents, including 1,801,184 foreign citizens.
Austria covers an area of 83,878 square kilometres. The country can be divided into five areas, the biggest being the Eastern Alps, which constitute 62% of the nation's total area.
Vienna, the biggest city in Austria, is home to 21% of the country's population (31% if you include the greater metropolitan area). 9% live in the next four biggest cities, and 4.4% live in the state of Vorarlberg on the Swiss border. This means that roughly 55% of the population is scattered over the remaining land.
Austria is a small country with a high population density. About 70% of the country is covered by mountains, which means that most of the population is concentrated in the remaining 30% of the land.
