Austria
Europe · Central Europe
Vienna tops global liveability rankings, backed by strong public services and high wages.
At a Glance
📈Austria's Human Development Index
0.926
Very High human development#21 of 191 countries worldwide, #14 of 44 in Europe.
Higher than 89% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Austria
Austria is a central European country of imperial grandeur and alpine beauty, where Baroque architecture and classical music traditions sit alongside pristine mountain scenery and excellent skiing. Vienna in particular carries a weight of cultural history that few cities can match, yet everyday life is calm, orderly, and exceptionally high quality. It suits those who appreciate refinement, nature, and a certain quiet elegance, though it can feel a little formal for those craving spontaneity.
- More certified organic farmland per capita than any other EU country.
- Birthplace of psychoanalysis, antiseptic surgery, and the Doppler effect.
- Ranked consistently safer for street crime than Germany, France, or the UK.
Quick Facts
Capital
Vienna
Language
German
Currency
€ EUR
Area
82,520 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
113Mbps
Mobile
113Mbps
GDP / Capita
$63K
PPP / Capita
$77K
Inflation
3.5%
Unemployment
5.6%
Innovation (GII)
50.1
GNI / Capita
$60K
Tax Revenue
25.8%
FDI Inflows
-2.0%
Education Spend
5.3%
Cost of Living
71.3
Price Level Index
13th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.823 → 0.926 (+0.103)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Austria for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →Neighbouring Countries
Austria head-to-head
💬Quick answers
What is Austria's Human Development Index?
Austria's Human Development Index is 0.926 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #21 of 191 countries.
Is Austria safe?
Austria scores 1.42 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #6 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Austria?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Austria at 71.3 (New York = 100); that is #132 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Austria?
Life expectancy at birth in Austria is 82.0 yrs (World Bank), ranked #29 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Austria?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Austria at 199.8, ranked #7 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.