Updated
Overview
France has 7.5 times the population of Austria: 68.72 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
France's economy is 5.8 times the size of Austria's, at $3.37T versus $579.47B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $579.47B | 2025 | $3.16T / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.8% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 3.5% | 2025 | 2.0% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $5,024 | Higher: $6,155 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,036 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 23,000 | 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 (0.8% for France, 0.6% for Austria).
Austria runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 0.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $5,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.3 (France) and 43.6 (Austria).
Geography
By land area, France is 7.7 times the size of Austria: 643,801 km² versus 83,871 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
France spends 12 times as much on defence as Austria: $64.68B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Austria?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so France is 7.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Austria?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $48,986. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.37T for France versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Austria?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).