Country explorer: Austria
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Austria is a alpine, high-income country in Europe with a small population. Its economy has been volatile in recent decades, and is based on tourism, manufacturing and services.
Austria is known for its historic cities, stunning alpine landscapes, and classical music heritage.
Economy
Austria has maintained a robust economy characterized by a consistently high GDP per capita comparative to its peers, a generally low and stable unemployment rate, controlled inflation, and a concentrated effort to reduce poverty levels, positioning itself as a strong, stable economy within the high-income countries' group.
Demographics
Austria has seen a steady population growth, substantial net migration inflows, modest fertility rates that remain below replacement level, and increasing life expectancy, trends that align it closely with demographic patterns observed in other high-income European countries.
Basic needs
Austria has consistently maintained near-universal access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, safely managed drinking water, and sanitation facilities, reflecting a stable and high benchmark of living standards shared by high-income countries.
Human development
Austria has shown a consistent improvement in human development indicators such as the Human Development Index and reductions in child mortality, reflecting broad societal advancements, and maintaining a high standard of living that is comparable to its high-income European peers.
Environment & energy
Austria has notably reduced its per capita CO₂ emissions including land-use change, significantly increased its electricity generation from renewable sources, maintained a high per capita renewable freshwater resource, and steadily increased its forest area, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and renewable energy compared to many of its peers.
Technology & innovation
Austria has showcased a robust enhancement in technology and innovation, characterized by significantly increased internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and a steady rise in R&D spending relative to GDP, paralleling trends in other high-income countries, yet leading with one of the highest rates of scientific publications per capita among its peers.
Culture & society
Austria has seen a notable increase in its immigrant population, consistent improvements in life satisfaction, a significant reduction in gender inequality, and a steady rise in its age dependency ratio, reflecting trends similar to those of other high-income European countries, indicating a gradually aging population alongside progressive societal shifts.
Governance
Austria has experienced a slight decline in governance indicators such as the rule of law, political civil liberties, and press freedom, reflecting broader trends in high-income countries, albeit maintaining higher standards than many peers.