Updated
Overview
Russia has 16 times the population of Austria: 143.51 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 4.4 times the size of Austria's, at $2.56T versus $579.47B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $579.47B | 2025 | $2.17T / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 6.7% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 82 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $6,155 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 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 (1.0% for Russia, 0.6% for Austria).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.6 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 204 times the size of Austria: 17,098,242 km² versus 83,871 km².
Austria is far more densely settled: 110 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 28 times as much on defence as Austria: $148.97B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Austria?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so Russia is 204 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Austria?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Austria?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).