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Austria's urban population is around 59.53% as of 2023, which is lower than most other industrialized countries. This equates to about 5.4 million people living in urban areas in Austria in 2023, a peak for the country. The urban population in Austria has been declining since the 1980s, with Vienna, the country's largest city, experiencing a population decrease from 1.9 million to 1.5 million since 1923.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Urban Population in Austria | 58.57% (5,337,973 people in 2025) |
| Urban Population in Austria as % of Total Population | 59.53% in 2023 |
| Urban Population in Austria as % of Total Population in 1980 | 65.39% |
| Urban Population in Austria as % of Total Population in 2011 | 57.11% |
| Median Age in Austria | 43.6 years |
| Population under 15 years of age | 18% |
| Population above 65 years of age | 14% |
| Average Household Size | 2.6 persons |
| Percentage of Single-Family Member Households | Increased in recent years |
| Percentage of Dwellings Owned by the Government in Vienna | 20% |
| Population of Vienna | 1.5 million |
| Population of Austria | 7.4 million |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's population is ageing
The ageing of Austria's population has implications for the country's social security systems and labour force. With a rising number of older individuals, the financial sustainability of social security may be impacted. Additionally, the changing human capital structure within successive workforce cohorts may influence a firm's value-added. The service sector, which is concentrated in Vienna, may be particularly affected by these demographic shifts.
Vienna, the federal capital and largest city in Austria, has experienced a decline in population since 1923, partly due to the loss of the city's Jewish population during World War II. The western, industrial region of the country has grown more rapidly than the predominantly rural eastern section, contributing to the overall low urban population of 56-[59.53%]. This urban population figure is lower than that of most other industrialised countries.
To summarise, Austria's population is ageing, with a rising median age and an increasing proportion of individuals over 65 years old. This has potential consequences for social security and the labour force, particularly in the service sector. Additionally, the country's urban population remains relatively low compared to other industrialised nations, with Vienna being the most notable urban centre.
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Vienna's population has declined since 1923
Vienna's population has been on a dynamic trajectory since 1923, with periods of stagnation, decline, and growth. While it is challenging to attribute specific causes to the fluctuations in a city's population over such an extended period, several factors likely influenced Vienna's demographic trends.
Vienna experienced a significant population decline between 1923 and the 1950s. This decrease coincided with tumultuous historical events, including World War I and World War II, which had profound impacts on the city's demographics. After World War I, many Czechs and Hungarians returned to their ancestral countries, contributing to a reduction in Vienna's population. Additionally, the city's Jewish population suffered annihilation in 1938 during the Holocaust.
During the post-World War II period, the Soviet Union forcibly repatriated key workers of Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian origins to their ethnic homelands, further impacting Vienna's population. These historical events disrupted the city's demographics and contributed to the population decline observed until the 1950s.
However, Vienna's population trends began to shift in subsequent decades. Between 1950 and 1980, Austria's population, including Vienna's, increased. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including industrialization, migration, and the city's role as the capital of Austria-Hungary. Vienna's position as a cultural and economic center likely attracted people seeking employment and urban opportunities.
In the late 20th century, Vienna's population growth stagnated or declined again. This period coincided with Austria's overall population decline, which started around 1980. However, Vienna's population trajectory changed once more in the early 21st century, with the city experiencing rapid growth. This growth was fueled by international immigration, particularly following Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 and subsequent enlargements in 2004, 2007, and 2013. The fall of the Iron Curtain and conflicts in the former Yugoslavia also contributed to migration flows to Vienna.
As of 2024, Vienna's population stood at 2,005,760 residents, reflecting a dynamic and evolving demographic landscape. The city's population growth has been influenced by historical events, political changes, economic factors, and migration patterns. While Vienna experienced a decline in population since 1923, the trend has not been linear, with periods of stability, growth, and decline shaping the city's demographic character over the past century.
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Austria has a lower urban population than other industrialised countries
Austria has a lower urban population than most other industrialised countries. In 2023, 59.53% of Austria's population lived in urban areas, which is an increase from 59.256% in 2022. This is a record high for the country, with the previous peak being 65.391% in 1980. However, this is still lower than the urban populations of many other industrialised countries.
There are several factors that contribute to Austria's relatively low urban population. Firstly, Austria has a relatively small population overall, with around 7.4 million citizens as of 2003. Additionally, the country has a high proportion of native Austrians, who have experienced stagnant demographics since World War I and an absolute decline since the 1970s. The native Austrian population is aging, with a low birth rate and a high value placed on children and family life. This has likely contributed to the slower growth of urban areas, as rural areas tend to have higher birth rates.
Another factor is Austria's history and geography. The country is divided into nine provinces, including Vienna, the federal capital. Between 1961 and 1981, the industrial, western region of the country grew more rapidly than the predominantly rural eastern section. Additionally, Vienna, which is the largest city in the country, experienced a decline in population size from 1.9 million to 1.5 million since 1923, partly due to the annihilation of the city's Jewish population in 1938.
It is worth noting that the definition of "urban" can vary between countries, and international comparisons may not always be consistent. However, despite these variations, Austria's urban population remains lower than that of most other industrialised nations.
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Austria's population increased from 1950 to 1980, then slightly declined
Austria's population has been dynamic over the years, with notable changes occurring between 1950 and 1980, followed by a slight decline. From 1950 to 1980, Austria's population grew from 6.9 million to 7.6 million. This increase can be attributed to various factors, including social and economic conditions, as well as the country's marriage and birth rates. During this period, Austria was still recovering from the aftermath of World War II, which likely contributed to the population growth as the country rebuilt and families started anew.
Between 1961 and 1981, the western, industrial region of Austria experienced more rapid growth compared to the predominantly rural eastern section. This disparity in growth rates between regions may have contributed to the overall population increase during this period. Additionally, social factors played a role in the population dynamics. For instance, the marriage rate increased between 1978 and 1982, rising from 4.5/1000 to 4.8/1000, while the median age at marriage also increased slightly for both men and women.
However, following this period of growth, Austria's population witnessed a slight decline. By 1985, the population had decreased to an estimated 7,487,000. This decrease may be partly attributed to the decline in population in Vienna, the country's largest city and capital. Vienna's population had been declining since 1923, and this downward trend continued, contributing to the overall slight decline in Austria's population.
It is worth noting that Austria's population ageing, with a median age of 43.6 years as of 2025. This ageing population has implications for the country's demographics and may influence the population growth rate. Additionally, the country's birth rate is expected to increase slightly until the end of the 1900s before declining gently. As of 2025, Austria's population was estimated to be 9.1 million people, reflecting the fluctuations the country has experienced over the past few decades.
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Austria's population density
Austria's population is ageing. Currently, 18% of the population is under 15 years of age, and 14% is 65 or older. Births are expected to increase slightly until the end of the century and then decline. Life expectancy is 69 years for men and 76 years for women. Austrians value children and family life, as evidenced by the increasing marriage rate between 1978 and 1982. However, the number of divorces per year also increased during this period.
Austria has a significant foreign-born population, with 1.27 million foreign-born residents in 2010, corresponding to 15.2% of the total population. This figure includes 764,000 people born outside the EU (9.1%) and 512,000 born in another EU member state (6.1%). As of 2023, the most common group of foreign residents in Austria were Germans, with 88.8% of the nationwide population.
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Frequently asked questions
The urban population of Austria was 5,436,508 in 2023, which was 59.53% of the total population.
The urban population of Austria is not particularly low. However, it has a lower urban population than most other industrialised countries.
In 2005, 30% of the population of Austria lived in Vienna.
The population of Vienna, Austria's largest city, was 1.5 million in 2023, down from 1.9 million in 1923.
The population of Austria is 7.4 million.
