Austria

Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938, and the victorious Allies then occupied the country in 1945. As a result, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade after World War II, until a State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. Austria joined the EU in 1995, but the obligation to remain neutral kept it from joining NATO, although the country became a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1995. Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.

47 20 N, 13 20 E

landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

about the size of South Carolina; slightly more than two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania

some forest degradation from air and soil pollution; soil pollution from agricultural chemicals; air pollution from coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants, and from trucks transiting Austria; water pollution

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Antarctic-Environmental Protection

temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 2,524 km

Border countries (8): Czech Republic 402 km; Germany 801 km; Hungary 321 km; Italy 404 km; Liechtenstein 34 km; Slovakia 105 km; Slovenia 299 km; Switzerland 158 km

Agricultural land: 31.5% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 16% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.8% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 14.7% (2023 est.)

Forest: 47.2% (2023 est.)

Other: 20.9% (2023 est.)

none (landlocked)

oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Note 1: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere

Note 2: the world's largest and longest ice cave system at 42 km (26 mi) is the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Giants World) inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen, about 40 km south of Salzburg; ice caves are bedrock caves that contain year-round ice formations; they differ from glacial caves, which are transient and are formed by melting ice and flowing water within and under glaciers

mostly mountains (Alps) in the west and south; mostly flat or gently sloping along the eastern and northern margins

Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia

Europe

382 sq km (2016)

77.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

the northern and eastern portions of the country are more densely populated; nearly two thirds of the populace lives in urban areas

Highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m

Lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m

Mean elevation: 910 m

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Germany) - 540 sq km

Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Total : 83,871 sq km

Land: 82,445 sq km

Water: 1,426 sq km

0-14 years: 14.1% (male 648,639/female 616,334)

15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,904,587/female 2,898,339)

65 years and over: 21.2% (2024 est.) (male 839,672/female 1,060,411)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Austrian(s)

Adjective: Austrian

Total: 16 years (2023 est.)

Male: 16 years (2023 est.)

Female: 17 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 59.5% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

1.975 million VIENNA (capital) (2023)

5.52 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

7.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

29.7 years (2020 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 53.4 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 21.7 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 31.7 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 3.2 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Austrian 80.8%, German 2.6%, Bosnian and Herzegovinian 1.9%, Turkish 1.8%, Serbian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, other 10% (2018 est.)

Note: Data represent population by country of birth

Roman Catholic 55.2%, Muslim 8.3%, Orthodox 4.9%, Evangelical Christian 3.8%, Jewish 0.1%, other 5.4%, none 22.4% (2021 est.)

Note:  Data on Muslim is a 2016 estimate; data on other/none/unspecified are from 2012-2018 estimates

German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in southern Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 est.)

Major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

12.1% of GDP (2021)

16.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.74 (2024 est.)

Total: 11.7% (2024 est.)

Male: 11.4% (2024 est.)

Female: 12% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

3.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 44.9 years (2024 est.)

Male: 43.6 years

Female: 46.3 years

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.52 children born/woman (2024 est.)

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

Male: 4,392,898

Female: 4,575,084

Total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 19.7% (2025 est.)

Male: 21.1% (2025 est.)

Female: 18.3% (2025 est.)

20.1% (2016)

9.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

9.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 11.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 6.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 3.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 1.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 82.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 80.1 years

Female: 85.4 years

5.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

9.9% national budget (2022 est.)

0.3% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 34.36 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 2.21 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 124 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.22 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2022 est.)

10.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

56.959 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 10.527 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 33.036 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 13.397 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

120.211 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Art FISHER (since 19 November 2025)

Embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, 1090, Vienna

Mailing address: 9900 Vienna Place, Washington DC  20521-9900

Telephone: [43] (1) 31339 0

FAX: [43] (1) 31339 2017

Email address and website:
ConsulateVienna@state.gov

https://at.usembassy.gov/

9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)

Name: Vienna

Geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 E

Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Etymology: The name may have evolved from the Roman name Vindobona, which was taken from the Celtic words vindo (white) and bona (fort)

History: Several previous; latest adopted 1 October 1920, revised 1929, replaced May 1934, replaced by German Weimar constitution in 1938 following German annexation, reinstated 1 May 1945

Amendment process: Proposed through laws designated "constitutional laws" or through the constitutional process if the amendment is part of another law; approval required by at least a two-thirds majority vote by the National Assembly and the presence of one-half of the members; a referendum is required only if requested by one-third of the National Council or Federal Council membership; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote

Chief of state: President Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (since 26 January 2017)

Head of government: Chancellor Christian STOCKER (since 3 March 2025)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the chancellor and appointed by the president

Election/appointment process: President directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); chancellor appointed by the president but determined by the majority coalition parties in the Federal Assembly; vice chancellor appointed by the president on the advice of the chancellor

Most recent election date: 9 October 2022

Election results:
2022: Alexander VAN DER BELLEN reelected in first round; percent of vote - Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (independent) 56.7%, Walter ROSENKRANZ (FPO) 17.7%, Dominik WLAZNY (Beer Party) 8.3%, Tassilo WALLENTIN (independent) 8.1%, Gerald GROSZ (independent) 5.6%

2016: Alexander VAN DER BELLEN elected in second round; percent of vote in first round - Norbert HOFER (FPOe) 35.1%, Alexander VAN DER BELLEN (independent, allied with the Greens) 21.3%, Irmgard GRISS (independent) 18.9%, Rudolf HUNDSTORFER (SPOe) 11.3%, Andreas KHOL (OeVP) 11.1%, Richard LUGNER (independent) 2.3%; percent of vote in second round - Alexander VAN DER BELLEN 53.8%, Norbert HOFER 46.2%

Expected date of next election: 2028

Description: Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

History: One of the oldest national flags in the world; according to tradition, after a fierce battle in the Third Crusade in 1191, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became blood-spattered; when his sash was removed, a white band was revealed, and the red-white-red color combination was adopted as his banner

no official date of independence: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 6 January 1453 (Archduchy of Austria acknowledged); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 30 March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy established); 12 November 1918 (First Republic proclaimed); 27 April 1945 (Second Republic proclaimed)

Highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 85 judges organized into 17 senates or panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof (consists of 20 judges including 6 substitutes; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof - 2 judges plus other members depending on the importance of the case)

Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by executive branch departments and appointed by the president; judges serve for life; Constitutional Court judges nominated by several executive branch departments and approved by the president; judges serve for life; Administrative Court judges recommended by executive branch departments and appointed by the president; terms of judges and members determined by the president

Subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (4); Regional Courts (20); district courts (120); county courts

civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts

Legislature name: Parliament (Parlament)

Legislative structure: Bicameral

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National Day (commemorates passage of the law on permanent neutrality), 26 October (1955)

Austrian People's Party or OeVP 
Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe 
The Greens - The Green Alternative 
NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum 
Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe 

16 years of age; universal

federal parliamentary republic

Conventional long form: Republic of Austria

Conventional short form: Austria

Local long form: Republik Oesterreich

Local short form: Oesterreich

Etymology: The name Oesterreich means "eastern realm" and dates to the 10th century; the designation refers to the fact that Austria was the easternmost extension of Bavaria and the German peoples; the word Austria is a Latinization of the German name

Chief of mission: Ambassador Petra SCHNEEBAUER (since 19 APRIL 2023)

Chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035

Telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750

Email address and website:
Washington-ob@bmeia.gv.at

https://www.austria.org/

Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Consulate(s): Chicago

Title: "Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn)

Lyrics/music: Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed)

History: Adopted 1947; Austria adopted a new national anthem after World War II to replace the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which Germany had appropriated in 1922 and was thereafter associated with the Nazi regime; the Austrian Federal Assembly adopted a gender-neutral version of the lyrics in 2012

Note: The beloved waltz "The Blue Danube" ("An der schoenen, blauen Donau"), composed in 1866 by Johann STRAUSS II, is widely considered Austria's unofficial national anthem 

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

eagle, edelweiss, Alpine gentian

Citizenship by birth: No

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Austria

Dual citizenship recognized: No

Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 12 (11 cultural, 1 natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Salzburg (c); Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (c); Halstadt–Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape (c); Semmering railway (c); Historic Graz and Schloss Eggenberg (c); Wachau Cultural Landscape (c); Historic Vienna (c); Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape (c); Baden bei Wien (c); Primeval Beech Forests - Dürrenstein, Kalkalpen (n)

red, white

14.8% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.8% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 24.6% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

cars, packaged medicine, vaccines, vehicle parts/accessories, nitrogen compounds (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Germany 25%, USA 9%, Italy 7%, Switzerland 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

milk, sugar beets, maize, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, grapes, triticale, soybeans (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $231.132 billion (2023 est.)

Expenditures: $241.516 billion (2023 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

cars, garments, vaccines, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)

construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and paper, electronics, tourism

one of the strongest EU and euro economies; diversified trade portfolios and relations; enormous trade economy; Russian energy dependence, but investing in alternative energy; aging labor force but large refugee population; large government debt

$521.642 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 52.2% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 20.5% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 24.9% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0.5% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 59.5% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -57.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Germany 34%, China 7%, Italy 7%, Switzerland 5%, Czechia 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

On food: 10.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

4.768 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$35.406 billion (2024 est.)
$31.212 billion (2023 est.)
$33.078 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

78.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

5.5% (2024 est.)
5.3% (2023 est.)
5% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

25.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$581.131 billion (2024 est.)
$588.031 billion (2023 est.)
$593.701 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

2.9% (2024 est.)
7.8% (2023 est.)
8.5% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$12.642 billion (2024 est.)
$6.783 billion (2023 est.)
-$3.911 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$63,300 (2024 est.)
$64,400 (2023 est.)
$65,700 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$284.467 billion (2024 est.)
$293.692 billion (2023 est.)
$294.324 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$299.366 billion (2024 est.)
$303.914 billion (2023 est.)
$291.804 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

-1.2% (2024 est.)
-1% (2023 est.)
5.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-5.5% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 1.2% (2024 est.)

Industry: 23.1% (2024 est.)

Services: 65.3% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Production: 1.288 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption: 5.403 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Imports: 4.179 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 14.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind: 11.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 56.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 7.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Production: 548.976 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Consumption: 6.971 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports: 7.084 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 5.04 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Total petroleum production: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 244,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 35.2 million barrels (2021 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 33.371 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 64.611 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 21.631 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 21.55 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 3.095 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 95% (2024 est.)

.at

public broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), is a major player in the TV and radio markets; private broadcasters, cable, and satellite TV are available in most homes are widely used; some German stations carry programs for Austrian viewers; national and regional newspapers compete fiercely for readers; the print media are owned by a handful of mostly Austrian and German media groups (2023)

Total subscriptions: 11.1 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2022 est.)

Total: 2.71 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 3.604 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2023 est.)

Total: 6,123 km (2022) 3,523 km electrified

OE

62 (2025)

Total: 1 (2023)

By type: Other 1

112 (2025)

1% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer): Land Forces, Air Force, Cyber Forces, Special Operations Forces, Militia (reserves) (2025)

Note 1: The federal police maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of the Interior

Note 2: The militia is comprised of men and women who have done their basic military or training service and continue to perform a task in the armed forces; they are integrated into the military but have civilian jobs and only participate in exercises or operations; missions for the militia may include providing disaster relief, assisting security police, and protecting critical infrastructure (energy, water, etc.), as well as deployments on missions abroad

approximately 22,000 active Armed Forces (includes about 14,000 regular troops and around 8,000 reservists/militia undergoing refresher training) (2025)

210 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 100 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025)

the military’s primary responsibilities are national defense and protecting Austria’s neutrality; it also has some domestic security and disaster response responsibilities; each of the nine federal states has a military command that provides a link between the military and civil authorities; the main tasks of these commands include providing military assistance during disasters and supporting security police operations

The Austrian military contributes to international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions; Austria has been constitutionally militarily non-aligned since 1955 but is an EU member and actively participates in EU peacekeeping and crisis management operations under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy; Austria is not a member of NATO but joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace framework in 1995 and participates in some NATO-led crisis management and peacekeeping operations; more than 100,000 Austrian military and civilian personnel have taken part in more than 50 international peace support and humanitarian missions since 1960 (2025)

the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported armaments from European countries and the US; the Austrian defense industry produces a range of equipment and partners with other countries (2025)

registration requirement at age 17, the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; men above the age of 18 are subject to compulsory military service; women may volunteer; compulsory service is for 6 months, or optionally, alternative civil/community service (Zivildienst) for 9 months (2025)

Note: Austria also has a One-Year Volunteer Program (Einjährig-Freiwilligen-Ausbildung) for men and women, which substitutes for compulsory military service and serves as a gateway for those interested in a long-term military career

Refugees: 313,711 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 3,919 (2024 est.)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Note: Details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

established a national space program in 2002; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including remote sensing and research/scientific satellites; member of the ESA; works closely with ESA and EU member states and the commercial sector to develop a range of space capabilities and technologies, including applications for satellite payloads, space flight, and space research; participates in a range of ESA/EU programs, including Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; also cooperates with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, India, Russia, and the US (2025)

Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR; established in 1972 as the Austrian Space Agency) (2025)

Total global geoparks and regional networks: 3

Global geoparks and regional networks: Ore of the Alps; Styrian Eisenwurzen; Karawanken/Karavanke (includes Slovenia) (2023)

Chamber name: National Council (Nationalrat)

Number of seats: 183 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Proportional representation

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 9/29/2024

Parties elected and seats per party: Freedom Party (FPÖ) (57); People's Party (ÖVP) (51); Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) (41); NEOS (“New Austria”) (18); Greens (16)

Percentage of women in chamber: 35.5%

Expected date of next election: September 2029

Chamber name: Federal Council (Bundesrat)

Number of seats: 60 (all indirectly elected)

Parties elected and seats per party: People's Party (OVP) (22); Social Democratic Party (SPO) (18); Freedom Party (16); Greens (3); NEOS (New Austria) (1)

Percentage of women in chamber: 46.7%

1981 - became an associate ESA member (full member in 1987)

1991 - first Austrian in space on Soviet Mir Space Station

2013 - first domestically built science/technology (star observation) satellites (TUGSAT-1 and UniBRITE) launched by India

2017 - worked with China to produce world’s first quantum-encrypted satellite communications teleconference from Beijing to Vienna

2024 - signed US-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for cooperative space exploration

30.9 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality