Austria

Full name of country: Republic of Austria

Region: Europe

Official language: German

Population: 8,967,982 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Austrian(s) (noun), Austrian (adjective)

Land area: 82,445 sq km (31,832 sq miles)

Water area: 1,426 sq km (551 sq miles)

Capital: Vienna

National anthem: "Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn), by Paula Von Preradovic/Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Or Johann Holzer (Disputed)

National holiday: National Day, October 26 (1955)

Population growth: 0.3% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +1

Flag: The flag of Austria features three horizontal bands of red (top), white (middle), and red (bottom). This tricolored flag is among the oldest national symbols, dating back to the thirteenth century.

Independence: November 12, 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); September 17, 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); August 11, 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed)

Government type: federal republic

Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal

Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court

Located in Central Europe, Austria (German: Österreich, or "eastern realm") is both one of the oldest and youngest European countries. Austria was originally established in the Middle Ages as a "march" or border province of the Holy Roman Empire. The modern Republic of Austria, a landlocked nation, was established following World War I after the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which had included the now-independent countries of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Austria's neighbors include Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Austria was part of Nazi Germany during World War II but regained independence and established a democratic government after the war. The economy is diverse and well developed. Major industries include manufacturing, financial services, and tourism. Vienna, the capital, has been a major political and cultural center for centuries and is known for its music and theater.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: The vast majority of Austria's population is Germanic. The major minority groups include former Yugoslavs (Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks, and Germans. Austria has many guest workers (gastarbeiter) from Turkey and the former Eastern Bloc.

Austria is a well-developed, industrialized nation, with a high standard of living. The country ranked 22 out of 193 countries and territories (based on 2022 data) on the 2022 United Nations Human Development Index.

Ethnic divisions have long troubled Austria. During the nineteenth century, many people sought independence from the empire. The Hungarians achieved the most success, gaining equal status with the German-speaking regions in 1867.

German is Austria's official language, based largely on the southern Germanic dialects known as Austro-Bavarian; the one exception is the Alemannic dialect known as "Vorarlbergerisch," spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg and related to Swiss German. Vienna has its own unique dialect, with many words derived from Old High German and Middle High German, as well as Italian, Hungarian, and Czech. German is spoken by more than 88.6 percent of the population; other widely spoken languages include Turkish and Serbian (2001 estimate). Croatian and Hungarian are official languages in the eastern state of Burgenland, and Slovene is official in southern Carinthia.

Vienna is by far the largest and most important city, with a population of around 1.975 million in 2023. It serves as the country's political, cultural, and economic heart. Other major cities include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Salzburg is noted as the birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Roman Catholicism remains prominent today, though the Catholic Church no longer takes part in politics. Christian feasts are celebrated as official holidays. Around 55.2 percent of Austrians consider themselves Catholic (2021 estimate). Other religious groups include Orthodox (4.9 percent, 2021 est.), Muslim (8.3 percent, 2016 est.), and Evangelical Christian (3.8 percent, 2021 est.). Approximately 22.4 percent of Austrians profess no religion (2012–18 estimates).

Austria's once-large Jewish population was essentially destroyed during World War II. Anti-Semitism remained part of Austrian life, as demonstrated by the electoral successes of the right-wing Freedom Party (FPOe).

Indigenous People: The territory now belonging to Austria has been settled for at least three thousand years. The region was first inhabited by Celts, including the La Tène and Hallstatt cultures. The ancient kingdom of Noricum had a mixed population of Celts and Illyrians (related to modern Albanians).

Rome annexed Noricum in 16 BCE, introducing a Latin element. The Alemanni and the Bavarians, both Germanic tribes, began arriving several centuries later. They settled in western Austria and eventually dominated the entire region. The Slavs arrived in the seventh century, moving westward to escape the Avars.

Education: Schooling in Austria is compulsory for nine years, and most children attend public schools. Private schools are generally religious, run by the Catholic Church. Historically, Austria has had a "two-track" system of upper secondary education: vocational and academic. Before 1962, a student was forced to choose a track by the age of ten. The School Law of 1962 did away with this requirement and also made higher education more accessible to the general public.

The Volksschule, or primary school, covers grades one through four. Besides the Volksschule, students can attend the Hauptschule, which provides general secondary education; or the Gymnasium, which focuses on academic studies. After the age of fourteen, students must decide between vocational education, which lasts for five years, and university. In order to receive higher education, a student must receive a certificate known as the Reifeprüfung or Matura.

Austria has many universities, some of which date back centuries. The University of Vienna, founded in 1365, is one of the oldest in Europe. Other public universities include Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Krems on the Danube. Private universities include the Catholic-Theological Private University in Linz.

Health Care: Austria has a nationalized system of health care comparable to that in other Western European nations. People are required to pay into state-operated health-insurance programs. Life expectancy is generally high: 80.1 years for men, and 85.4 years for women (2024 estimates).

The obesity rate in Austria has increased throughout the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, in part due to a rich diet heavy in carbohydrates, sugar, and fat. Other public health problems are related to high rates of smoking and alcohol abuse.

Food: Austrian cuisine is basically Germanic but with strong Hungarian and Slavic influences dating from the imperial era. Vienna is especially noted for its cosmopolitan cuisine. One of the most famous dishes to come from Vienna is wienerschnitzel, or Viennese-style veal cutlet. Desserts include the chocolate cake known as sachertorte, and the apple pastry known as apfelstrudel.

Arts & Entertainment: Austria has a rich and diverse cultural life, ranging from folk arts to the sophisticated and cosmopolitan entertainments of Vienna and Salzburg. The eighteenth-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a native of Salzburg and spent much of his career in Vienna in imperial service. Johann Strauss II, the nineteenth-century composer and bandleader, became known as the "Waltz King" for his immensely popular melodies. Other composers who have lived in Vienna include Ludwig van Beethoven and Richard Strauss. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, founded 1842, is one of the world's most respected orchestras.

Traditional Austrian culture includes folk dancing. Among the most popular dances are the polka, waltz, and landler, often done in traditional costume. Yodeling originated in the Alps and is highly popular in Austria.

Sports are popular in Austria, especially Alpine sports such as skiing. Austrians have played a major role in the development of skiing and have produced many Olympic champions. Football (soccer) is also popular, run by the Austrian Football Federation. Other popular sports include motor sports, cycling, and tennis.

Holidays: Austria's public holidays are largely Christian feast days; in addition to Christmas and Easter, Austrian Catholics celebrate feasts including the Immaculate Conception (Mariä Empfängnis) and Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam). December 26 is St. Stephen's Day (Stefanitag).

Secular holidays include the State Holiday (Staatsfeiertag), and National Day (Nationalfeiertag), October 26, which commemorates the 1955 passage of the law confirming Austria's neutrality.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Austria lies largely within the Alps mountain chain, running from east to west. The highest mountain is the Großglockner, located in the High Tauern range and rising to a height of 3,798 meters (12,461 feet). The main river is the Danube, which runs from east to west. Vienna is located in the Danube River Valley, in the region known as the "Vienna Basin."

Another low-lying region is the Pannonian Lowlands. The Bohemian Massif is a mountainous region of forests near the Czech border. Around 47.2 percent of the country is forested (2018 estimate), with firs in higher regions and deciduous species such as oak and beech in the lower regions.

Natural Resources: Austria possesses a variety of mineral resources, including iron ore, tungsten, lignite, and cement. Energy resources include petroleum and natural gas. Timber is abundant, as almost half the country is covered with deciduous and coniferous forests.

Plants & Animals: Almost half of Austria is covered with forests, mostly beech and oak, although the forests at higher elevations are mostly fir, larch, and pine. The northern Alpine foothills are covered with grassland. The region known as Pannonia is low-lying heath, covered with scrub vegetation. Austria is renowned for its alpine wildflowers, particularly the edelweiss, the national flower made famous by the musical The Sound of Music. Other common species include gentian (Enzian).

Game animals include bear, deer (red and roe), and smaller mammals such as badgers, foxes, and squirrels. The chamois (horned antelope) and ibex (a type of mountain goat) are found in the Alpine regions.

Austria is home to many game birds, including the partridge and the pheasant. The Pannonia region is home to many bird species, including wild geese, the heron, and the spoonbill, which live near Lake Neusiedel. Austria has established nature parks and preserves around the country to protect its forests.

Climate: Austria's climate is generally continental and temperate. Except in the mountains, where snow is frequent, winters and summers both tend to be cool. There are three main climate regions: Continental Pannonian, Central European, and Alpine. The first tends toward cool winters, warm summers and relatively little rainfall, usually less than 800 millimeters (31 inches). The Central European climate has moderate seasons and relatively high rainfall, usually between 700 to 2,000 millimeters (28 to 79 inches). The Alpine climate has substantial snowfall, long winters, and short summers. Austria, like other countries, faced ongoing impacts of climate change, and by the 2020s, floods occurred in greater numbers and at higher volumes.

Economy

Austria has one of the most developed economies in Europe. The country has a highly skilled labor force and a high standard of living. The economy is largely focused on services and industry. In 2021, the country's estimated per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was US$54,100. Austria's main industries include construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals, and lumber.

Austria has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 1995 and uses the euro as its national currency. The EU (especially neighboring Germany) and the United States are major trading partners, as is Switzerland.

Like other European nations, Austria is seeking to improve productivity through lower taxes and privatization of state-run industries. In 2023, the country's estimated GDP was US$516.034 billion. Austria’s GDP has grown substantially since 1992, when the GDP was US$174.8 billion.

Industry: Austria's economy is based primarily on services, particularly finance and tourism. The major manufacturing sectors include industrial equipment, textiles, paper, chemicals, and iron and steel. Besides Vienna, the most important centers of manufacturing include Linz, Innsbruck, and Graz.

Austria nationalized many industries after World War II, though the government has been moving toward privatization. International investment is important, and Austria has focused on building up its high-technology sector (including electronics and telecommunications).

The Danube, which flows into the Black Sea, is a major inland waterway for cargo and passenger traffic. The major port is Vienna. The country has dozens of airports, with international flights out of Vienna, Graz, and other cities.

Agriculture: Agriculture is a small sector, but the country produces most of its own food. The main crops include grains (barley, oats, and rye), potatoes, and fruit. Livestock farming includes cattle, pigs, and poultry. There is also an extensive timber industry.

Tourism: Tourism is a major industry in Austria, generating billions of dollars each year. In 2019, there were more than 31.8 million international visitors. However, this number dropped sharply to 15 million following the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The industry had begun to recover by 2022, however, when the country saw 26.2 million international visitors, according to the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria. Many tourists visit Austria for the country's great natural beauty, particularly in the Alpine regions, where one can enjoy winter sports and the quaint mountain villages.

Other major attractions are sophisticated cities such as Vienna and Salzburg, with the lively theater and music scenes.

Government

Until 1920, with the establishment of the Republic of Austria, the country had been ruled by monarchs. For centuries, the ruling Habsburg family also held the title of Holy Roman Emperor. The Hapsburg hereditary lands expanded over the years until they covered much of southeastern Europe. In 1867, the Austrian Empire reorganized itself as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reflecting nineteenth-century nationalism.

After World War I, the victorious Allies broke up the Austro-Hungarian Empire into many national states, with the German-speaking parts comprising the landlocked Republic of Austria. The Republic was dissolved in 1938, when Nazi Germany swallowed up Austria in an event known as the Anschluss (annexation), but was reestablished after World War II. The modern republic uses the Constitution of 1929, which has been amended several times.

Austria is a federal republic with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who is elected to a six-year term, serves as head of state but has largely ceremonial powers. The chancellor is the head of government. The chancellor is appointed by the president but determined by the party or coalition with the most seats in parliament. The president chooses members for the cabinet, called the Council of Ministers, on the advice of the chancellor.

The parliament is the bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung). The popularly elected lower house, or National Council (Nationalrat), is the main law-making body. The upper house, or Federal Council (Bundesrat), has limited powers to veto bills from the lower house. Its members are chosen by the state parliaments rather than the public, with each state receiving three to twelve seats in proportion to its population.

The judiciary is independent. The Supreme Court of Justice has final jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The Administrative Court handles administrative law, involving government agencies. The Constitutional Court handles cases involving constitutional law. The federal states have their own provincial and district courts. There are also many local courts, for handling lesser offenses.

Austria has nine states (Bundesländer; singular Bundesland), each of which has its own popularly elected assembly. These include the city of Vienna, as well as the states of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Styria, and Burgenland.

The main political parties are the Social Democratic Party of Austria (Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs) and the conservative Austrian People's Party (Österreichs Volkspartei). The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs) raised fears throughout Europe about a resurgence of neo-Nazism, due to the party's strong showing in the 1999 election. The Freedom Party of Austria became part of a coalition government in 2017, but a scandal involving the leader of the party led to the collapse of the coalition government in mid-2019. By the fall of 2019, the People's Party won the legislative election and formed a coalition with the Green Party. By 2023, however, it was noted that the Freedom Party had gained popularity once more.

Interesting Facts

• Captain Georg Von Trapp, depicted in the musical The Sound of Music, was a national hero during World War I. He served as a submarine commander in the Austro-Hungarian Navy.
• The favorite Christmas song "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") was written in 1818, with words by parish priest Joseph Mohr and composer Franz Gruber, in the Austrian village of Oberndorf.
• The first open governmental postcard was issued in Austria on October 1, 1869.
• Austrians elected the youngest leader in Europe when they chose Sebastian Kurz, thirty-one, to be chancellor in 2017; while Kurz was ousted from office in mid-2019, he formed a new government when his People's Party won the September 2019 legislative election by a large margin.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency held its first International Conference on Nuclear Law in Vienna in 2022.

Bibliography

"Austria." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/austria. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

"Austria." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 23 Dec. 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/austria/. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Human Development Report 2022. United Nations Development Programme, 13th March 2024, hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf‗1.pdf. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

"National Data." Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, www.bmaw.gv.at/en/Topics/tourism/tourism-statistics/national-data.html. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.