Austria: cost of living

How fast are energy prices rising in Austria?

Energy prices in Austria were 14.5% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Statistik Austria flash estimate of consumer prices. Overall inflation was 3.6%, and services prices were 4.2% higher.

Energy in the consumer price index covers household electricity, gas, heating fuels and motor fuels. Because it has a large weight and moves sharply, it is the main reason headline inflation is above the 3.0% core rate. The full September release on 16 October 2026 splits energy into its parts. E-Control, the energy regulator, publishes current electricity and gas tariffs and a tariff calculator.

Official sources: Statistik Austria flash estimate

How many people are at risk of poverty in Austria?

18.6% of people in Austria, 1,686,000 in all, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, up from 16.9% in 2024, according to Statistik Austria (EU-SILC survey). The at-risk-of-poverty rate alone was 15.9%, up from 14.3%.

The at-risk-of-poverty rate counts people whose household income, adjusted for household size, is below 60% of the national median. The wider measure adds people with severe material and social deprivation or living in households with very low work intensity. In the same survey, median household income rose 10.0%, which also raised the poverty threshold. Statistik Austria corrected this release after first publication, and the linked file is the corrected version.

Official sources: Statistik Austria

How much is rent in Austria?

The average rent for a main residence in Austria was EUR 10.5 per square metre including running costs in the second quarter of 2026, or EUR 694.7 per dwelling, according to Statistik Austria. That was 3.3% more than a year earlier and 0.4% more than in the first quarter.

The figures come from the microcensus household survey and cover all rented main residences, including council and cooperative flats, not just new lettings. Running costs (Betriebskosten) are included. The release also notes that the regulated reference rents (Richtwert) were raised by 1% on 1 April 2026. Rents for new contracts on the open market are not measured separately here.

Official sources: Statistik Austria

What is Austria's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Austria at 3.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.5% (2009) to 8.5% (2022). Europe & Central Asia median: 3.7%; Austria is 26th highest of 48. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 69th highest.

How much do households in Austria spend per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $23,440. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at $23,587; its low point was 2020, at $21,635. Europe & Central Asia median: $11,266; Austria is 10th highest of 44. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 13th highest.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Austria?

0.5%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Austria for 2023, according to the World Bank. The peak was 0.7% in 2009 and the low 0.1% in 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.4%; Austria is 14th highest of 34. Worldwide: 35th of 59.

What share of Austria lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Austria at 14.8% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 15.2%; its low point was 2006, at 12.0%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 15.9%, and Austria placed 23rd highest of 40. World rank, highest first: 51st of 72.

What is income inequality in Austria?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2023, is 31.2. Since 2005 it has ranged from 28.7 (2005) to 31.5 (2009). Europe & Central Asia median: 31.5; Austria is 18th highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 40th of 59.

What is food insecurity in Austria?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 4.4%. Since 2015 it has ranged from 3.0% (2019) to 5.5% (2015). It is 36th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.6%. World rank, highest first: 124th of 135.