Updated
Overview
Hungary and Austria are nearly matched in population: 9.51 million versus 9.21 million people (2025).
Austria's economy is 2.4 times the size of Hungary's, at $579.47B versus $246.49B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $25,907 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Hungary | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $246.49B | Higher: $579.47B | 2025 | $222.91B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $25,907 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.4% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.5% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,290 | Higher: $6,155 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $823 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.30 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.51 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 9.86 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.9 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.7 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 71% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 93,028 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 102.3/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 40 Mt | 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.1 t | 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.73B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.2% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 46,000 | 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 (0.5% for Hungary, 0.6% for Austria).
Inflation is comparable in both: 4.4% in Hungary and 3.5% in Austria.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Hungary: a price level of 52 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $1,290 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.9 (Hungary) and 43.6 (Austria).
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 76.7).
Geography
By land area, Hungary is 11% larger than Austria: 93,028 km² versus 83,871 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $4.73B (Hungary) and $5.26B (Austria).
Relative to its economy, Hungary carries the heavier military burden: 2.2% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Hungary fields the larger armed forces: 46,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Hungary bigger than Austria?
- Hungary is larger by land area. Hungary covers 93,028 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so Hungary is 11% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Hungary or Austria?
- Hungary has the larger population: 9.51 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Hungary richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $25,907. Total GDP tells the same story: $246.49B for Hungary versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, Hungary or Austria?
- Austria spends more: $5.26B versus $4.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).