Country Guide

Belgium Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands


Geographic coordinates:
50 50 N, 4 00 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:30,528 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 141
land:30,278 sq km
water:250 sq km


Area - comparative:
about the size of Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:1,297 km
border countries:France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km


Coastline:
66.5 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:geographic coordinates define outer limit
continental shelf:median line with neighbors


Climate:
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy


Terrain:
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:North Sea 0 m
highest point:Botrange 694 m


    Natural resources:
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates


Land use:
arable land:27.06%
permanent crops:0.72%
other:72.22%
note:includes Luxembourg (2011)


Irrigated land:
233.5 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
18.3 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
18.3 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes


Environment - current issues:
the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Belgian(s)
adjective:Belgian


Ethnic groups:
Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%


Languages:
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%


Population:
10,449,361 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 84


Age structure:
0-14 years:15.6% (male 830,980/female 797,624)
15-24 years:11.7% (male 624,486/female 598,904)
25-54 years:40.4% (male 2,131,869/female 2,086,212)
55-64 years:13.3% (male 690,395/female 704,284)
65 years and over:19% (male 836,685/female 1,147,922) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:54.8 %
youth dependency ratio:26.4 %
elderly dependency ratio:28.4 %
potential support ratio:3.5 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:43.1 years
male:41.7 years
female:44.4 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.05% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 188


Birth rate:
9.99 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 193


Death rate:
10.76 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 38


Net migration rate:
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 57


Urbanization:
urban population:97.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
BRUSSELS (capital) 1.949 million; Antwerp 959,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.72 male(s)/female
total population:0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
28 (2010 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:4.18 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 194
male:4.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:79.92 yearscountry comparison to the world: 37
male:76.76 years
female:83.22 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 176


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
70.4%


Health expenditures:
10.6% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
3.78 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
6.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 108


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 94


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 125


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
22.1% (2008)country comparison to the world: 83


Education expenditures:
6.6% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 30

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99%
male:99%
female:99% (2003 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:16 years
male:16 years
female:17 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:19.8%country comparison to the world: 60
male:20.4%
female:19.8% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form:Belgium
local long form:Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German)
local short form:Belgique/Belgie/Belgien


Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy


Capital:
name:Brussels
geographic coordinates:50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)


Independence:
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)


National holiday:
21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I


Constitution:
drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state); amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)


Legal system:
civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory


Executive branch:
chief of state:King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch
head of government:Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008); Depurty Prime Minister Johan VANDE LANOTTE (since i6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Pieter DE CREM (since 5 March 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch
elections:the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by parliament


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats indirectly elected serve five-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections:Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 May 2014 (next to be held May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections
election results:Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 20.3%, PS 11.7%, CD&V 11.6%, Open VLD 9.8%, MR 9.6%, SP.A 8.8%, Groen! 5.3%, CDH 5.0% Workers' Party 3.7%, VB 3.7%, Ecolo 3.3%, FDF 1.8%, the People's Party 1.5%, other 7.2%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, MR 20, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, FDF 2, the People's Party 1
note:as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof in Dutch and Cour constitutionelle in French (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie in Dutch and Cour de Cassation in French (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace


Political parties and leaders:
Federation of Enterprises in Belgium [Pieter TIMMERMANS/Pierre Alain DE SMEDT]; Confederation of Christan Trade Unions [Luc CORTEBEECK/Claude ROLIN]; Belgian General Federation of Labor [Rudy DE LEEUW/Anne DEMELENNE]
other:trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations representing the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants


International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014)
chancery:3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 333-6900
FAX:[1] (202) 338-4960
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Denise BAUER (since 7 August 2013)
embassy:27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels
mailing address:PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710
telephone:[32] (2) 811-4000
FAX:[32] (2) 811-4500


Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)


National symbol(s):
lion


National anthem:
name:'La Brabanconne' (The Song of Brabant)

lyrics/music:Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT
note:adopted 1830; Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began; according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

Economy

Economy - overview:
This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2013 Belgian GDP grew by 0.1%, the unemployment rate increased to 8.8% from 7.6% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 3.2%. Despite the relative improvement in Belgium's budget deficit, public debt hovers around 100% of GDP, a factor that has contributed to investor perceptions that the country is increasingly vulnerable to spillover from the euro-zone crisis. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis in 2008 with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government, and the nationalization of the Belgian retail arm of a Franco-Belgian bank.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$421.7 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$421.3 billion (2012 est.)
$422.5 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$507.4 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
0.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
-0.3% (2012 est.)
1.8% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$38,000 (2012 est.)
$38,400 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
19.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
19.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
20.8% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:53.7%
government consumption:25%
investment in fixed capital:20.2%
investment in inventories:0.8%
exports of goods and services:81.8%
imports of goods and services:-81.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:0.8%
industry:22.6%
services:76.6% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk


Industries:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum


Industrial production growth rate:
0.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Labor force:
5.15 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:2%
industry:25%
services:73% (2007 est.)


Unemployment rate:
8.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
7.6% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
15.2% (2007 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:3.4%
highest 10%:28.4% (2006)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 125
28.7 (1996)


Budget:
revenues:$241.9 billion
expenditures:$258.2 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
47.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128


    Public debt:
102.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
99.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
2.6% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world: 127
1.5% (31 December 2010)
note:this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
3.62% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$185.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$185.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders


Stock of broad money:
$591.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$585 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$581.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$574.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
-$9.1 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
-$6.65 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$295.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$302.4 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs


Exports - partners:
Germany 18%, France 16.1%, Netherlands 13%, UK 7.3%, US 5.3%, Italy 4.4% (2012)


Imports:
$310.2 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$311.1 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products


Imports - partners:
Netherlands 20.9%, Germany 14.2%, France 10.6%, US 6.1%, UK 5.5%, Ireland 4.4% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$30.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$29.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.417 trillion (31 December 2011)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$1.195 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$1.159 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.215 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
$1.185 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.7752 (2012 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
83.37 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38


Electricity - consumption:
84.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37


Electricity - exports:
6.911 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Electricity - imports:
16.85 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
18.32 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
43.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
32.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
16.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12


Crude oil - production:
10,530 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83


Crude oil - imports:
667,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107


Refined petroleum products - production:
720,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
644,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28


Refined petroleum products - exports:
442,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16


Refined petroleum products - imports:
355,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102


Natural gas - consumption:
13.46 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Natural gas - exports:
21.18 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18


Natural gas - imports:
38.9 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
131.1 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.631 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 33


Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.88 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 67


Telephone system:
general assessment:highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities
domestic:nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network
international:country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)



    Broadcast media:
a segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters (2007)


Internet country code:
.be


Internet hosts:
5.192 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 21


Internet users:
8.113 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36

Transportation

Airports
41 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 102


Airports - with paved runways
total:26
over 3,047 m:6
2,438 to 3,047 m:9
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:8 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:15
under 914 m:
15 (2013)


Heliports
1 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 3,139 km; oil 154 km; refined products 535 km (2013)


Railways
total:3,233 kmcountry comparison to the world: 55
standard gauge:3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)


Roadways
total:154,012 kmcountry comparison to the world: 31
paved:120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways)
unpaved:33,498 km (2010)


    Waterways
2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 42


Merchant marine
total:87country comparison to the world: 56
by type:bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned:15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1)
registered in other countries:107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Oostende, Zeebrugge
river port(s):Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River); Brussels (Senne River); Liege (Meuse River)
container port(s) (TEUs):Antwerp (8,664,243), Zeebrugge (2,207,257) (2011)
LNG terminal(s) (import):Zeebrugge

Military

Military branches
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,359,232
females age 16-49:2,291,689 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,934,957
females age 16-49:1,877,268 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:59,665
female:57,142 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.05% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 99
1.08% of GDP (2011)
1.05% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:3,898 (2012)


    Illicit drugs
growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

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Country Guide

Austria Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia


Geographic coordinates:
47 20 N, 13 20 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:83,871 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 114
land:82,445 sq km
water:1,426 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maine


Land boundaries:
total:2,524 km
border countries:Czech Republic 402 km, Germany 801 km, Hungary 321 km, Italy 404 km, Liechtenstein 34 km, Slovakia 105 km, Slovenia 299 km, Switzerland 158 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Neusiedler See 115 m
highest point:Grossglockner 3,798 m


Natural resources:
oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower


Land use:
arable land:16.25%
permanent crops:0.77%
other:82.98% (2011)


    Irrigated land:
1,170 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
77.7 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
77.7 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
landslides; avalanches; earthquakes


Environment - current issues:
some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Austrian(s)
adjective:Austrian


Ethnic groups:
Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census)


Languages:
German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)


Population:
8,223,062 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 95


Age structure:
0-14 years:13.6% (male 573,146/female 546,596)
15-24 years:11.6% (male 488,564/female 468,891)
25-54 years:42.9% (male 1,766,729/female 1,756,880)
55-64 years:12.7% (male 515,913/female 528,988)
65 years and over:19.2% (male 670,750/female 906,605) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:49.1 %
youth dependency ratio:21.6 %
elderly dependency ratio:27.6 %
potential support ratio:3.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:44.3 years
male:43.2 years
female:45.3 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.01% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 191


Birth rate:
8.76 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 214


Death rate:
10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 42


Net migration rate:
1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 50


Urbanization:
urban population:67.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.48% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
VIENNA (capital) 1.72 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.73 male(s)/female
total population:0.95 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
28.5 (2011 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
4 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:4.16 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 196
male:5.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:80.17 yearscountry comparison to the world: 32
male:77.25 years
female:83.24 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.43 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 202


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
69.6%


Health expenditures:
10.6% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
4.86 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
7.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 88


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 90


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 124


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
20.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 93


Education expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 44

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:98%
male:NA
female:NA


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:16 years
male:15 years
female:16 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:8.3%country comparison to the world: 120
male:8.8%
female:8.7% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Austria
conventional short form:Austria
local long form:Republik Oesterreich
local short form:Oesterreich


Government type:
federal republic


Capital:
name:Vienna
geographic coordinates:48 12 N, 16 22 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Karnten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)


Independence:
12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed)


National holiday:
National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality


Constitution:
several previous; latest adopted 1 October 1920, revised 1929, replaced May 1934 (authoritarian-corporate constitution), replaced by German Weimar constitution in 1938 following German annexation; latest reinstated 1 May 1945 (1920 constitution with 1929 revisions); amended many times, last in 2008 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004)
head of government:Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2 December 2008); Vice Chancellor Michael SPINDELEGGER (OeVP) (since 21 April 2011)
cabinet:Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor
elections:president elected for a six-year term (eligible for a second term) by direct popular vote and formally sworn into office before the Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung; presidential election last held on 25 April 2010 (next to be held on 25 April 2016); chancellor formally chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor
election results:Heinz FISCHER reelected president; percent of vote - Heinz FISCHER 79.33%, Barbara ROSENKRANZ 15.24%, Rudolf GEHRING 5.43%
note:government coalition - SPOe and OeVP


Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; delegates appointed by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 seats in proportion to its population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by popular vote for a five-year term under a system of proportional representation with partially open party lists)
elections:National Council - last held on 29 September 2013 (next to be held by September 2018)
election results:National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 27.1%, OeVP 23.8%, FPOe 21.4%, Greens 11.5%, Team Stronach for Austria 5.8%, NEOS - The New Austria 4.8%, other 5.6%; seats by party - SPOe 53, OeVP 46, FPOe 42, Greens 22; Team Stronach for Austria 11, NEOS - The New Austria 9


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of Justice or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 85 judges organized into 17 senates or panels of five judges each); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof (consists of 20 judges including 6 substitutes; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof - 2 judges plus other members depending on the importance of the case)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges nominated by executive branch departments and appointed by the president; judges serve for life; Constitutional Court judges nominated by several executive branch departments and approved by the president; judges serve for life; Administrative Court judges recommended by executive branch departments and appointed by the president; terms of judges and members determined by the president
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal (4); Regional Courts (20); district courts (120); county courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Josef BUCHER]
Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Michael SPINDELEGGER]
Communist Party of Austria or KPOe [Mirko MESSNER]
Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]
The Greens [Eva GLAWISCHNIG]
NEOS - The New Austria [Matthias STROLZ]
Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]
'Team Stronach for Austria' [Frank STRONACH]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Austrian Trade Union Federation or OeGB (nominally independent but primarily Social Democratic)


International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Hans Peter MANZ (since 2 December 2011)
chancery:3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone:[1] (202) 895-6700
FAX:[1] (202) 895-6750
consulate(s) general:Chicago, Los Angeles, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Alexa L. WESNER (since 6 September 2013)
embassy:Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna
mailing address:use embassy street address
telephone:[43] (1) 31339-0
FAX:[43] (1) 3100682


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red; the flag design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest - national banners in the world; according to tradition, in 1191, following a fierce battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of his wide belt or sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-red color combination was subsequently adopted as his banner


National symbol(s):
golden eagle, Alpine gentian, edelweiss


National anthem:
name:'Bundeshymne' (Federal Hymn)

lyrics/music:Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed)
note:adopted 1947; the anthem is also known as 'Land der Berge, Land am Strome' (Land of the Mountains, Land on the River); Austria adopted a new national anthem after World War II to replace the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which had been appropriated by Germany in 1922 and was now associated with the Nazi regime

Economy

Economy - overview:
Austria, with its well-developed market economy, skilled labor force, and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Following several years of solid foreign demand for Austrian exports and record employment growth, the international financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent global economic downturn led to a sharp but brief recession. Austrian GDP contracted 3.8% in 2009 but saw positive growth of about 2% in 2010 and 2.7% in 2011. Growth fell to 0.6% in 2012. Unemployment did not rise as steeply in Austria as elsewhere in Europe, partly because the government subsidized reduced working hour schemes to allow companies to retain employees. The 2012 unemployment rate of 4.3% was the lowest within the EU. Stabilization measures, stimulus spending, and an income tax reform pushed the budget deficit to 4.5% in 2010 and 2.6% in 2011, from only about 0.9% in 2008. The international financial crisis of 2008 caused difficulties for Austria's largest banks whose extensive operations in central, eastern, and southeastern Europe faced large losses. The government provided bank support - including in some instances, nationalization - to support aggregate demand and stabilize the banking system. Austria's fiscal position compares favorably with other euro-zone countries, but it faces external risks, such as Austrian banks' continued exposure to Central and Eastern Europe as well as political and economic uncertainties caused by the European sovereign debt crisis. In 2011 the government attempted to pass a constitutional amendment limiting public debt to 60% of GDP by 2020, but it was unable to obtain sufficient support in parliament and instead passed the measure as a simple law. In March 2012, the Austrian parliament approved an austerity package consisting of a mix of expenditure cuts and new revenues that will bring public finances into balance by 2016. In 2012, the budget deficit rose to 3.1% of GDP.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$361 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$359.6 billion (2012 est.)
$356.5 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$417.9 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
0.9% (2012 est.)
2.8% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$42,500 (2012 est.)
$42,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
23.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
24.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
24.5% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:54.6%
government consumption:19.2%
investment in fixed capital:20.8%
investment in inventories:0.5%
exports of goods and services:56.9%
imports of goods and services:-52%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:1.6%
industry:28.6%
services:69.8% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
grains, potatoes, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber


Industries:
construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism


Industrial production growth rate:
0.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Labor force:
3.737 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:5.5%
industry:26%
services:68.5% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
4.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
4.4% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
6.2% (2012)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:4%
highest 10%:22% (2011)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.3 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 132
31 (1995)


    Budget:
revenues:$200 billion
expenditures:$212.1 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
47.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118


Public debt:
75.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
74.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:this is general government gross debt, defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year; it covers the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; as a percentage of GDP, the GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product in current year prices


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
2.6% (2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
2.2% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
2.5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$204.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$201.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders


Stock of broad money:
$419 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$414 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$544.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$543 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$106 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$10.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$7.085 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$165.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$160.1 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs


Exports - partners:
Germany 29.31%, Italy 6.25%, Switzerland 5.08%, United States 5%, France 4.27% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$167.9 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$163.2 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs


Imports - partners:
Germany 40.39%, Italy 6.13%, Switzerland 5.36% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$27.21 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$25.16 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$812 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$786.1 billion (31 December 2011)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$269.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$265.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$345.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$331.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.7752 (2012 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
69 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Electricity - consumption:
63.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Electricity - exports:
20.46 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9


Electricity - imports:
23.26 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
21.11 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
27.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
59.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
12.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18


Crude oil - production:
29,480 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80


Crude oil - imports:
139,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
85 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72


Refined petroleum products - production:
159,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
210,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55


Refined petroleum products - exports:
43,010 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61


Refined petroleum products - imports:
117,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Natural gas - production:
1.906 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59


Natural gas - consumption:
9 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51


Natural gas - exports:
34.75 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13


Natural gas - imports:
42.56 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13


Natural gas - proved reserves:
10.82 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
67.18 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
3.342 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 46


Telephones - mobile cellular:
13.59 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 62


Telephone system:
general assessment:highly developed and efficient
domestic:fixed-line subscribership has been in decline since the mid-1990s with mobile-cellular subscribership eclipsing it by the late 1990s; the fiber-optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available
international:country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 15; in addition, there are about 600 VSATs (very small aperture terminals) (2007)



    Broadcast media:
Austria's public broadcaster, Osterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), was the main broadcast source until commercial radio and TV service was introduced in the 1990s; cable and satellite TV are available, including German TV stations (2008)


Internet country code:
.at


Internet hosts:
3.512 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 30


Internet users:
6.143 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 43

Transportation

Airports
52 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 90


Airports - with paved runways
total:24
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:13 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:28
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:
24 (2013)


Heliports
1 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 4,736 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2013)


    Railways
total:6,399 kmcountry comparison to the world: 29
standard gauge:5,927 km 1.435-m gauge (3,853 km electrified)
narrow gauge:384 km 1.000-m gauge (15 km electrified); 88 km 0.760-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)


Roadways
total:124,508 kmcountry comparison to the world: 39
paved:124,508 km (includes 1,719 km of expressways) (2012)


Waterways
358 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 90


Merchant marine
registered in other countries:3 (Cyprus 1, Kazakhstan 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)country comparison to the world: 137


Ports and terminals
river port(s):Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna (Danube)

Military

Military branches
Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)


Military service age and obligation
registration requirement at age 17, the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory service; males under the age of 35 must complete basic military training (6 month duration); males 18 to 50 years old in the militia or inactive reserve are subject to compulsory service (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,941,110
females age 16-49:1,910,434 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,579,862
females age 16-49:1,554,130 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:48,108
female:45,752 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.81% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 115
0.82% of GDP (2011)
0.81% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):19,577 (Russia); 11,906 (Afghanistan) (2013)
stateless persons:542 (2012)



    Illicit drugs
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook