Human development index (HDI), an index based on life expectancy, education and GDP (max. 1)
0.885
World rank in HDI
23
Key economic sectors
Services (70); agriculture (2); industry (28) (2012)
Leading companies
Erste Group, a banking group (US$10·6bn.); OMV Group, an oil and gas company (US$9·0bn.); and Voestalpine, a steel manufacturing group (US$6·3bn.)
Unemployment in 2015
5.8%
Main religious denominations
Roman Catholic (5·36m); Muslim (520,000); Orthodox Christians (500,000); Evangelical Lutherans (300,000)
Political system
A democratic federal republic A federal President is directly elected for no more than two successive six-year terms. There is a bicameral legislature, with a National Council elected for a four-year term and a Federal Council representing the nine states.
Electoral system
The National Council is elected by proportional representation; all persons over the age of 16 inclusive can vote. The Federal Council is made up of appointees by the State Assemblies, who serve for the duration of their State Assembly’s term. The number of deputies per state is proportional to the state’s population.
Current leaders
President: Alexander Van der Bellen (b. 1944), since January 2017 Chancellor: Christian Kern; b. 1966, since May 2016
Previous leaders:
Presidents: Heinz Fischer (2004-2016); Thomas Klestil (1992-2004); Kurt Waldheim (1986-1992) Chancellors: Werner Faymann (2008-2016); Alfred Gusenbauer (2007-2008); Wolfgang Schüssel (2000-2007)
Joined the EU/EC
1995
Commissioner from country in Barroso II College of Commissioners, and portfolio
Johannes Hahn (Regional policy)
Number of MEPs
18
Turnout in 2014 EP elections (%)
45.4
Member of eurozone
Yes (founder member)
Except where a specific reference is inserted, the sources for this profile are either Neill Nugent’s book itself, or Barry Turner (ed.), The Statesman’s Yearbook Online, Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan. If your library subscribes, you can gain access at: http://www.statesmansyearbook.com
