World Happiness Report for Austria 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Austria: 14
- Happiness Score Austria:6.905
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Austria. AT.
Austria is a landlocked country located in central Europe.
- It has a federal parliamentary democracy, with a President as the head of state and a Chancellor as the head of government.
- Austria is known for its rich cultural history, including classical music composers such as Mozart and Strauss, as well as famous artists like Gustav Klimt.
- Its economy is highly developed, with a strong focus on services and industry, particularly in the areas of tourism, finance, and technology.
- Austria is home to the largest ice cave in the world, the Eisriesenwelt Cave, and the oldest zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
- The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, famous for dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte.
Austria – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History: The territory of modern-day Austria has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic era. The region was later home to various ancient civilizations, including the Celts, Romans, and Germanic tribes. The area became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD and later fell under the influence of various Germanic tribes, including the Bavarians and Franks.
Kingdoms and Empires: In the 9th century, the territory that is now Austria became part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Babenberg and Habsburg dynasties rose to power, with the latter ruling Austria and the Holy Roman Empire from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The Habsburg Monarchy reached its peak under Charles V, who presided over a vast empire that stretched across much of Europe and the Americas.
Colonial Period: Austria did not have significant colonial holdings, but it played a role in European colonization through its membership in the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy’s territories in Central and Eastern Europe.
Independence and Modern Era: Austria became an independent republic in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I. The country faced economic challenges and political instability in the interwar period, culminating in its annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938. After World War II, Austria regained its independence in 1955 and adopted a policy of neutrality. The country joined the European Union in 1995 and has since been a stable and prosperous democracy.
Current Political Situation: Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a President as the head of state and a Chancellor as the head of government. The current President is Alexander Van der Bellen, and the Chancellor is Karl Nehammer. The country has a multi-party system, with the center-right Austrian People’s Party and the center-left Social Democratic Party of Austria being the two major political forces.
International Relations: Austria maintains close ties with its European neighbors and is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The country has no major international conflicts and has been a strong advocate for diplomacy, human rights, and international cooperation.
Human Development and Economy: Austria has a highly developed economy, with a strong emphasis on services, manufacturing, and tourism. The country has a high standard of living and ranks among the top nations in the Human Development Index. Major industries include machinery, motor vehicles, and steel production.
Cultural Highlights: Austria has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its history as the center of the Habsburg Empire. The country is renowned for its contributions to classical music, with composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Austrian cuisine, including dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte, is celebrated worldwide. The country is also known for its stunning architecture, including the baroque-style buildings in Vienna.
Challenges and Opportunities: Austria faces challenges related to demographic shifts, including an aging population and concerns about immigration and integration. The country also grapples with environmental issues, such as air pollution and the transition to renewable energy sources. Opportunities lie in Austria’s strong economic position, its role as a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe, and its potential to foster innovation and technological advancements.
Travel Tips for Austria
– Best times to visit: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June-August) is peak tourist season.
– Cultural etiquette: Punctuality, formal greetings, and dressing conservatively are appreciated. Tipping in restaurants and cafes is expected.
– Safety precautions: Austria is generally a safe destination, but visitors should take standard precautions against petty crime in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
– Must-see landmarks: Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Salzburg’s Old Town, the baroque Melk Abbey, and the Semmering Railway.
Main facts
1. Location
Austria is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It borders Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country is situated within the Alps, a major mountain range that covers a significant portion of its territory.
2. Map References
Austria is located in Western and Central Europe.
3. Area – Comparative
With an area of 83,879 square kilometers (32,386 square miles), Austria is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maine.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Austria shares land borders with the following countries:
- Germany (784 km)
- Italy (430 km)
- Switzerland (164 km)
- Liechtenstein (35 km)
- Slovenia (330 km)
- Hungary (366 km)
- Slovakia (91 km)
- Czech Republic (362 km)
5. Coastline
Austria is a landlocked country and does not have a coastline.
6. Maritime Claims
As a landlocked country, Austria has no maritime claims.
7. Climate
Austria has a predominantly temperate continental climate, with regional variations influenced by the Alps. The eastern regions tend to have a more continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, while the western and alpine regions have a more Alpine climate with cooler summers and heavy snowfall in winter.
8. Terrain
Austria is a highly mountainous country, with the Alps covering a significant portion of its territory. The Alps feature numerous peaks, valleys, and glaciers. The eastern and northeastern regions consist of lowlands and hills, including the Vienna Basin and the Danube River Valley.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Austria is Grossglockner, at 3,798 meters (12,460 feet), located in the Hohe Tauern range of the Central Eastern Alps. The lowest point is Neusiedler See, at 115 meters (377 feet) above sea level.
10. Natural Resources
Austria’s major natural resources include oil, natural gas, iron ore, timber, tungsten, magnesite, lignite, and other minerals.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The Danube River is the most significant water body in Austria, flowing for approximately 350 kilometers (220 miles) through the country. Other major rivers include the Inn, Mur, Enns, and Drava. Notable lakes include Neusiedler See, Attersee, Traunsee, and Bodensee (shared with Germany and Switzerland).
12. Natural Hazards
The primary natural hazards in Austria include landslides, avalanches, and floods due to its mountainous terrain and heavy snowfall in winter.
13. Geography – Notes
Austria is known for its stunning alpine landscapes, which attract millions of tourists each year for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The country is also home to several major cities, including Vienna, the capital and largest city, which is situated along the Danube River.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 46.90%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 61,448. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 32.40%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 47.51623114.550072.
- Capital: The capital of Austria is Vienna
- Major Cities:
- Vienna – Population: 1,897,491
- Graz – Population: 287,723
- Linz – Population: 204,846
- Salzburg – Population: 153,377
- Innsbruck – Population: 132,493
- Population: 8,877,067
- Area(Km2): 83871
- Population Density( P/Km²):109. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:43
- Official Language(s):Austria is German (official) 88.6%.
- Currency: EUR
Main Economic Indicators
Austria has a well-developed social market economy with a high standard of living. Its economy is characterized by a large service sector, a relatively small but highly developed industrial sector, and a small but efficient agricultural sector. Austria faces economic challenges such as an aging population, high labor costs, and the need to adapt to the digital economy. Notable economic policies include maintaining a balanced budget and promoting innovation and competitiveness.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 2.8% (Source: Statistics Austria)
2020: 1.4% (Source: Statistics Austria)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: AA+
Moody’s: Aa1
Standard & Poor’s: AA+
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 1.3%
Industry: 28.6%
Services: 70.1%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural products: Milk, grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, cattle, pigs, poultry
Industrial products: Motor vehicles, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, electronics, construction materials, paper and paperboard, tourism
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 4.1 million (2022 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 88th in the world
Current Account Balance
2022: $1.6 billion (surplus)
2021: $7.8 billion (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: 29th in the world
Exports and Imports
Total Exports: $203.8 billion (2022 est.)
Key Export Partners: Germany, United States, Italy, Switzerland, France
Main Exports: Machinery, motor vehicles, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, travel services
Total Imports: $225.9 billion (2022 est.)
Key Import Partners: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, China, Netherlands
Main Imports: Machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and natural gas, foodstuffs
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $33.5 billion (2022 est.)
Gold Reserves: 279.99 tonnes (2022 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$446,314,739,528. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 25.40%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 51.40%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.20. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 4.67%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Austrian(s), adjective – Austrian
2. Ethnic Groups
- German 88.6%
- Turkish 2.3%
- Serbian 2.1%
- Bosnian 1.6%
- Other 5.4%
3. Religions
- Roman Catholic 58.8%
- Muslim 8.1%
- Orthodox 4.4%
- Protestant 3.3%
- Other 3.9%
- None 21.6%
4. Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 13.51%
- 15-64 years: 66.38%
- 65 years and over: 20.11%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 52.3
Youth dependency ratio: 20.4
Elderly dependency ratio: 31.9
6. Median Age
Total median age: 43.9 years
Median age for males: 42.5 years
Median age for females: 45.3 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 20.1% of the population
Alcohol consumption: 11.4 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
Tobacco use: 24% of adults smoke
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 81.6. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 97.9%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:9.7. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:10. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.47. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 86%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 5,194,416. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):17.90%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Austria’s military forces, known as the Bundesheer, consist of the Army, Air Force, and Support Forces. There are no separate Navy or Coast Guard branches due to Austria’s landlocked geography. The Jagdkommando and Militärpolizei serve as elite special operations and military police units, respectively. The national police force, Bundespolizei, is responsible for maintaining internal security.
Military Expenditures
Austria’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 0.86%
- 2021: 0.79%
- 2020: 0.74%
- 2019: 0.69%
- 2018: 0.67%
Austria’s military expenditure ranks relatively low, placing it around the bottom third globally.
Personnel Strengths
Austria has approximately 22,000 active-duty military personnel, divided as follows:
- Army: 16,000
- Air Force: 3,000
- Support Forces: 3,000
The national police force has an additional strength of around 27,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Austria’s military equipment includes a mix of domestically produced and imported hardware:
- Main Battle Tanks: Leopard 2A4 (German)
- Armored Vehicles: Pandur II (Austrian), Ulan (German)
- Fighter Aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon (Multinational)
- Transport Aircraft: C-130 Hercules (American), Pilatus PC-6 (Swiss)
Austria is currently pursuing the acquisition of new military transport helicopters and modernizing its existing Eurofighter fleet.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Austrian citizens are eligible for voluntary military service between the ages of 17 and 30. Previously, there was a mandatory six-month conscription period, but this was suspended in 2005.
Military Deployments
Austria currently contributes around 500 personnel to various international peacekeeping missions, including:
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- Kosovo Force (KFOR)
- European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali)
Strategic Military Notes
Austria’s defense strategy emphasizes territorial defense and international cooperation, with a focus on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The country maintains a policy of military neutrality and is not a member of any major military alliances. However, Austria actively participates in various multinational defense initiatives, such as the Partnership for Peace program with NATO.
- Armed Forces Size: 22000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 5.17
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 60.70%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.