Austria (Republic of Austria)

Austria Republic of Austria
Status	Independent State
Capital	Vienna
Land Area	82 409km21
Location	Europe
Population	8.4m (2011)2
Life Expectancy	81.58yrs (2017)3
GNI	$43 609 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	AT, AUT, 405
Internet Domain	.at6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+438

1. Overview
2. Austria National and Social Development
3. Population and Demographics
4. Human Rights, Equality and Freedom
5. Peace Versus Instability
6. Religion and Beliefs
7. The Internet
8. Public Health Issues
9. Children's Health
10. More Charts and Comparisons to Other Countries
11. Links

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1. Overview

#germany

“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. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. 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. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Austria is a contrast of spectacular natural landscapes and elegant urban sleeves. One day you´re plunging into an alpine lake, the next you´re exploring a narrow backstreet of Vienna. [...] This is where the Habsburgs built their 600-year empire, and where past glories still shine in the resplendent baroque palaces and chandelier-lit coffee houses of Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg. [... W]hatever it does - mountains, classical music, new media, castles, cake, you name it - Austria does it exceedingly well. Beyond its grandiose cities, Austria´s allure lies outdoors. And whether you´re schussing down the legendary slopes of Kitzbühel, climbing high in the Alps of Tyrol or pedalling along the banks of the sprightly Danube (Donau), you´ll find the kind of inspiring landscapes that no well-orchestrated symphony, camera lens or singing nun could ever quite do justice.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Austria National and Social Development

#human_development

UN HDI (2016)11
Pos.		Lower is better Rank11
1	Norway	1
2	Australia	2
3	Switzerland	2
	...
21	France	21
22	Belgium	22
23	Finland	23
24	Austria	24
25	Slovenia	25
26	Italy	26
27	Spain	27
28	Czechia	28
	World Avg	94.3
q=188.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Higher is better Points12
1	Denmark	83.6
2	Finland	83.1
3	Sweden	82.6
	...
11	Ireland	79.4
12	Canada	79.2
13	UK	79.0
14	Austria	78.7
15	Australia	78.7
16	Taiwan	78.4
17	Luxembourg	78.1
18	Hong Kong	77.0
	World Avg	55.4
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life.

3. Population and Demographics

#Austria #birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #overpopulation #population

Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)13
Pos.		Lower is better Per 10013
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3	Chad	04.7
	...
172	Croatia	39.7
173	Malta	39.9
174	France	40.5
175	Austria	40.5
176	Greece	41.3
177	Spain	41.4
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Emigrants (2010)14
Pos.		%14
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
83	Mali	7.6%
84	UK	7.5%
85	Honduras	7.5%
86	Austria	7.1%
87	Uzbekistan	7.0%
88	Bolivia	6.8%
89	Guinea-Bissau	6.8%
90	Slovenia	6.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

Fertility Rate (2013)15
Pos.		2.0 is best15
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
105	Slovakia	1.36
106	Botswana	2.64
107	Kyrgyzstan	2.64
108	Austria	1.35
109	Egypt	2.65
110	Singapore	1.35
111	Saudi Arabia	2.67
112	Portugal	1.31
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Immigrants (2010)14
Pos.		%14
1	Qatar	86.5%
2	Monaco	71.6%
3	UAE	70.0%
	...
28	Cyprus	17.5%
29	Gambia	16.6%
30	Croatia	15.9%
31	Austria	15.6%
32	Spain	15.2%
33	Belize	15.0%
34	Latvia	15.0%
35	Sweden	14.1%
	World Avg	9.2%
q=192.

Life Expectancy (2015)16
Pos.		Higher is better Years16
1	Hong Kong	84.16
2	Japan	83.68
3	Italy	83.34
	...
16	Luxembourg	81.88
17	Norway	81.71
18	Netherlands	81.71
19	Austria	81.58
20	Andorra	81.46
21	Portugal	81.18
22	Germany	81.09
23	Greece	81.07
	World Avg	71.27
q=190.

Population (2012)17
Pos.		Population17
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.3b
3	USA	315.8m
	...
90	Azerbaijan	9.4m
91	Benin	9.4m
92	Burundi	8.7m
93	Austria	8.4m
94	UAE	8.1m
95	Honduras	7.9m
96	Switzerland	7.7m
97	Israel	7.7m
	World Avg	36.0m
q=195.

Austria's population is predicted to rise to 8.59 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.35. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

4. Human Rights, Equality and Freedom

#Austria #equality #freedom #human_rights #politics #tolerance

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Austria leads the world, setting excellent examples. Austria comes in the best 20 in its Global Peace Index rating₁₈ (amongst the lowest in Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₁₉, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₀, supporting press freedom₂₁, the year from which women could participate in democracy₂₂, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₃, opposing gender inequality₂₄ and in eliminating modern slavery₂₅. And finally, it does better than average in fighting corruption₂₆, LGBT equality₂₇ and in fighting anti-semitic opinions₂₈.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Austria

5. Peace Versus Instability

#Austria #extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Peacekeeping and Security (2017)29
Pos.		Lower is better Rank29
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
62	Grenada	62
63	Kenya	63
64	Denmark	64
65	Austria	65
66	Ghana	66
67	Sweden	67
68	Congo, (Brazzaville)	68
69	Bulgaria	69
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees and UN Treaties (2017)29
Pos.		Lower is better Rank29
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
4	Sweden	4
5	Malta	5
6	Australia	6
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Global Peace Index (2012)18
Pos.		Lower is better18
1	Iceland	1.11
2	New Zealand	1.24
3	Denmark	1.24
4	Canada	1.32
5	Japan	1.33
6	Austria	1.33
7	Ireland	1.33
8	Slovenia	1.33
9	Finland	1.35
10	Switzerland	1.35
11	Belgium	1.38
12	Qatar	1.40
	World Avg	2.02
q=157.

"The 2012 Global Peace Index is the sixth edition of the world's leading study on global levels of peacefulness. The GPI ranks 158 nations using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources, which gauge three broad themes: the level of safety and security in society; the extent of domestic or international conflict; and the degree of militarisation. By generating new information on the state of peace at the national and global level, the Institute for Economics and Peace hopes to make a valuable contribution to better understanding how civil society, researchers, policymakers, and government can create a more peaceful society"₁₈. The most peaceable countries in the world are Iceland, New Zealand and Denmark₁₈ and the worst are Somalia, Afghanistan and Sudan₁₈.

Impact of Terrorism (2019)30
Pos.		Lower is better Score30
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
64	Kyrgyzstan	1.47
65	Ghana	1.56
66	Kazakhstan	1.57
67	Austria	1.66
68	Argentina	1.68
69	Madagascar	1.96
70	Finland	2.03
71	Haiti	2.18
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

6. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_austria

Disbelief In God (2007)31
Pos.		Higher is better %31
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
24	Latvia	20
25	Ukraine	20
26	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28	Slovakia	17
29	Switzerland	17
30	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₃₂:

Christian	80.4%
Muslim	5.4%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.2%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jew	0.2%
Unaffiliated	13.5%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 86% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (18%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)₃₃.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: "The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief" but "there are some restrictions on speech that might offend religious feelings" which are sometimes abused to protect Christians, at the expense of others.₃₄

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Austria: 5. Freedom of Belief and Religion

7. The Internet

#Austria #internet #the_internet

Internet Users (2016)35
Pos.		Higher is better35
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
32	Singapore	83%
33	Slovakia	83%
34	Spain	82%
35	Austria	81%
36	Ireland	81%
37	Barbados	80%
38	Hungary	80%
39	Kuwait	80%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake (2017)36
Pos.		Higher is better Ratio36
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
24	Czechia	10.1
25	New Zealand	9.7
26	Romania	8.7
27	Austria	7.5
28	Hungary	7.4
29	Guatemala	6.9
30	Saudi Arabia	6.8
31	Vietnam	5.9
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Internet access has become an essential research tool. It facilitates an endless list of life improvements, from the ability to network and socialize without constraint, to access to a seemingly infinite repository of technical and procedural information on pretty much any task. The universal availability of data has sped up industrial development and personal learning at the national and personal level. Individuals can read any topic they wish regardless of the locality of expert teachers, and, entire nations can develop their technology and understanding of the world simply because they are now exposed to advanced societies and moral discourses online. Like every communications medium, the Internet has issues and causes a small range of problems, but these are insignificant compared to the advantages of having an online populace.

8. Public Health Issues

#alcohol #Austria #genetics #health #mental_health #obesity #organ_donation #public_health #smoking #sociology #suicide #UK

Austria does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Austria comes in the best 20 in terms of number of organ donors₃₇. It does better than average for its adolescent birth rate₂₄, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₂₉, its immunizations take-up₃₈ (but bad for Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₉. Austria does not succeed in everything, however. It falls into the worst 20 in its suicide rate₄₀, its smoking rate₄₁ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₂. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years.

Alcohol Consumption (2016)42
Pos.		Lower is better Per Capita42
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
168	Gabon	11.5
169	Slovakia	11.5
170	Switzerland	11.5
171	Austria	11.6
172	Estonia	11.6
173	Poland	11.6
174	Russia	11.7
175	Seychelles	12.0
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

There is nothing wrong with drinking modest and sensible amounts of alcohol but fitness, physical health, mental health and long-term health all suffer as a result of medium- or heavy- drinking₄₃ and the health risks to the baby when pregnant mothers drink₄₄ are well-known. Aside from the effects on the individual, alcohol misuse impacts on entire economies₄₅ via increased health service costs, policing costs and lost days' work. Worldwide, alcohol misuse is "among the top five risk factors for disease, disability and death" and is a "cause of more than 200 disease and injury conditions in individuals, most notably alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, cancers and injuries"₄₆. "In 2012... 5.9% of all global deaths, were attributable to alcohol consumption"₄₇. Deaths from chronic alcohol misuse have been rising for decades, and so has violence, abuse, vandalism and crime all associated with alcohol over-use. The aggression and crime associated with alcohol in some Western countries infringes on the human rights of those who want nothing to do with such behaviour. Many of the social effects of alcohol are psychological and cultural; i.e., people don't have to behave criminally or destructively whilst drunk - it is a culturally learned behaviour. Experiments have shown that behaviour can be controlled: Those who do not wish to behave badly whilst drunk, will not do so.

Organ Donors (At Death) (2017)37
Pos.		Higher is better pmp37
1	Spain	46.9048
2	Portugal	34.0148
3	Belgium	33.6248
	...
7	Italy	28.50
8	France	26.84
9	Czechia	25.51
10	Austria	24.7048
11	UK	23.0549
12	Belarus	22.10
13	Norway	22.06
14	Canada	21.91
	World Avg	13.03
q=70.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)29
Pos.		Lower is better Rank29
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
25	Qatar	25
26	Oman	26
27	Estonia	27
28	Austria	28
29	Greece	29
30	Nicaragua	30
31	Armenia	31
32	Bangladesh	32
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults (2016)39
Pos.		Lower is better %39
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
89	S. Africa	53.8
90	Georgia	54.2
91	Switzerland	54.3
92	Austria	54.3
93	Armenia	54.4
94	Belize	54.8
95	Haiti	54.9
96	St Vincent & Grenadines	55.0
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

About one third of the global population is overweight or obese₅₀. Most Western countries are facing an obesity epidemic. Our cultures are having to change to compensate for widespread ill-health. It is costing our health systems a massive amount of money, and is having negative effects on national economies. The situation has persisted for a suitable length of time for our very perceptions to change; opinions on "normal weights" for people and "average sizes" for clothes has shot up₅₁. Over 2 in 3 adults in the UK are overweight₅₁ and this costs the NHS £5.1 billion per year₅₂ and "costs Britain's economy £47bn a year; more than war, terrorism or armed violence"₅₃. We are forgetting how to be healthy.

The causes are not genetic. Most people who say obesity "runs in their family" are wrong. The rate of increase in obesity is many, many times too fast to be accounted for by a change in inherited genes₅₄. Our culture and lifestyle choices are to blame. The causes of the modern obesity epidemic are processed foods, low levels of physical exercise, over-indulgence, poor choices in food products, poor knowledge of nutrition. Most of this is made much worse by well-funded advertising campaigns by food manufacturers selling cheaper mass-produced food. Even some so-called "health foods" contain well over recommended limits of fat, salt and sugar₅₅.

Smoking Rates (2014)41
Pos.		Lower is better41
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
164	Estonia	1 775
165	Ukraine	1 854
166	Jordan	1 855
167	Austria	1 988
168	S. Korea	2 073
169	Greece	2 086
170	Azerbaijan	2 114
171	Kazakhstan	2 157
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate (2013)40
Pos.		Lower is better Per 100k40
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
68	Suriname	28.7
69	Hong Kong	29.7
70	Poland	30.5
71	Austria	30.9
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
75	Switzerland	36.2
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

9. Children's Health

#Austria #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)24
Pos.		Lower is better Per 100024
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
18	Germany	6.7
19	Maldives	6.7
20	Tunisia	6.8
21	Austria	7.1
22	China	7.3
23	Greece	7.5
24	Oman	8.1
25	Belgium	8.2
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)38
Pos.		Higher is better Avg %38
1	Hungary	99.0
2	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
84	Estonia	93.9
85	N. Korea	93.8
86	Italy	93.8
87	Austria	93.8
88	Argentina	93.7
89	Bulgaria	93.7
90	Serbia	93.5
91	Egypt	93.4
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

10. More Charts and Comparisons to Other Countries