Austria’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rate and death rate, excluding migration—has been close to zero or slightly negative in recent years, reflecting low birth rates and an aging population. This trend is similar to many of its Central European neighbors. For example, Germany and Hungary also experience negative or near-zero RNI, driven by consistently low fertility rates and higher life expectancy. In contrast, Switzerland and Slovakia have slightly higher, though still modest, RNIs, with Slovakia’s rate buoyed by a younger population and marginally higher birth rates. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic and Slovenia display patterns close to Austria, with stagnant or slightly negative RNIs. Overall, Austria and its neighbors face demographic challenges associated with population aging and low natural growth, relying increasingly on immigration to sustain population numbers.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 0.093 | 8,047,432 |
| 2000 | 0.018 | 8,113,392 |
| 2005 | 0.036 | 8,314,652 |
| 2010 | 0.018 | 8,447,901 |
| 2015 | -0.007 | 8,664,442 |
| 2020 | -0.034 | 8,856,348 |
| 2024 | -0.055 | 8,967,982 |
| 2025 | -0.065 | 8,994,273 |
| 2026 | -0.076 | 9,019,616 |
| 2030 | -0.12 | 9,110,865 |
| 2035 | -0.168 | 9,202,329 |
| 2040 | -0.199 | 9,275,403 |
| 2045 | -0.222 | 9,335,849 |
| 2050 | -0.249 | 9,383,858 |
| 2055 | -0.289 | 9,415,061 |
| 2060 | -0.306 | 9,431,988 |
| 2065 | -0.297 | 9,446,938 |
| 2070 | -0.269 | 9,471,191 |
| 2075 | -0.242 | 9,508,600 |
| 2080 | -0.231 | 9,554,488 |
| 2085 | -0.224 | 9,603,170 |
| 2090 | -0.21 | 9,656,353 |
| 2095 | -0.189 | 9,717,354 |
| 2100 | -0.165 | 9,789,429 |
Data from US Census International Database