This article compares Austria and Switzerland, two neighboring landlocked countries in Europe. Let’s read.
Austria and Switzerland – country comparison
GDP comparison
Switzerland has a larger economy and a significantly higher GDP per capita than Austria. Both countries have highly developed, high income economies with strong service sectors, advanced manufacturing industries, and thriving tourism. The table below compares the GDP and GDP per capita of Austria and Switzerland.
| 2025 (IMF) | Austria | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Euro | Swiss Franc |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $579.93 billion | $1.04 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $63.16 thousand | $115.62 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $696.21 billion | $921.48 billion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $75.83 thousand | $102.1 thousand |
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Population
Austria and Switzerland have similar population sizes. The table below compares the population, total fertility rate (TFR), and the percentage of the population in different age groups in the two countries.
| 2025 estimate | Austria | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9.1 million | 9 million |
| Population aged 0-14 | 14% | 15% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 65% | 65% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 21% | 20% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 1.3 | 1.4 |
Source: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Life
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 81.96 | 83.95 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 22nd | 2nd |
| Human Development Index value | 0.930 | 0.970 |
Overview
Austria has a larger land area than Switzerland. It is slightly more than twice the size of Switzerland.
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | approximately 83,880 sq km | approximately 41,285 sq km |
| Population | 9.1 million (2025 estimate) | 9 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Vienna | Bern (de facto) |
| Largest city | Vienna | Zurich |
| Most spoken language | German | German |
| Most popular sport | Football (Soccer) | Football (Soccer) |
Geography
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Continent | Europe | Europe |
| Forest cover (2023) | 47.2% | 32.4% |
| Total number of time zones | 1 | 1 |
| Highest mountain | Grossglockner (3,798 m/12,461 ft) | Dufourspitze (4,634 m/15,203 ft) |
| Landlocked country | Yes | Yes |
(Also read: Germany and Poland – country comparison)
Tourism
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| International tourist arrivals | 33.1 million (2025) | 9.2 million (2022) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 12 | 13 |
| Popular places to visit | Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Graz, Tyrolean Alps, Innsbruck, etc. | Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Zermatt, Lucerne, Interlaken, Appenzell, etc. |
