Updated
Overview
Austria has about 70% more people than Slovakia: 9.21 million against 5.41 million (2025).
Austria's economy is 3.7 times the size of Slovakia's, at $579.47B versus $154.53B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $28,544 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Austria | Slovakia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $579.47B | $154.53B | 2025 | $521.64B / $141.78B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $62,930 | $28,544 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.5% | 4.0% | 2025 | 2.9% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 5.6% | Lower: 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 82 | 58 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,155 | $2,496 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $922 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.21 million | 5.41 million | 2025 | 9.17 million / 5.56 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.6 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 90% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,871 km² | 49,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.8/km² | 110.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 56 Mt | Lower: 29 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.26B | $2.85B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 23,000 | 18,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.6% for Austria, 0.8% for Slovakia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.5% in Austria and 4.0% in Slovakia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Slovakia: a price level of 58 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $2,496 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.6 (Austria) and 42.3 (Slovakia).
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 78.4).
Austria is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 53%.
Geography
By land area, Austria is 71% larger than Slovakia: 83,871 km² versus 49,037 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Austria spends about 85% more on defence than Slovakia: $5.26B versus $2.85B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Slovakia carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Austria fields the larger armed forces: 23,000 personnel against 18,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Austria bigger than Slovakia?
- Austria is larger by land area. Austria covers 83,871 km² while Slovakia covers 49,037 km², so Austria is 71% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Austria or Slovakia?
- Austria has the larger population: 9.21 million versus 5.41 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Austria richer than Slovakia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $28,544. Total GDP tells the same story: $579.47B for Austria versus $154.53B for Slovakia.
- Who spends more on their military, Austria or Slovakia?
- Austria spends more: $5.26B versus $2.85B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).