Austria’s birth rate has dropped to its lowest level on record, with 76,873 children born in 2024 – a 0.9% decline compared to the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Statistik Austria.

Births Falling Across Most of Austria

The average number of children per woman has fallen to 1.31, the lowest figure ever recorded. Birth rates declined in eight of Austria’s nine federal states, with the sharpest drops in Burgenland (-5.7%) and Salzburg (-5.3%). Styria (-4.5%) and Vorarlberg (-4.1%) also saw significant decreases.

Vienna was the only region to buck the trend, with births rising by 4.7% to 18,926. Burgenland recorded the lowest number of births nationwide, with just 1,866.

While the final figures may shift slightly due to late registrations, the overall trend is clear. Statistik Austria expects the final birth count to be around 400 higher than current estimates.

Fewer Deaths in Most Regions

Meanwhile, the number of deaths fell, continuing a trend seen in recent years. Statistik Austria recorded 87,407 deaths in 2024, a 2.6% drop from the previous year.

Seven federal states reported fewer deaths, with Vienna seeing the sharpest decline (-5%) and Salzburg the smallest (-0.7%). However, fatalities rose in Burgenland (+3.7%) and Vorarlberg (+3.2%).

Experts expect around 1,200 additional deaths to be added to the final tally for 2024 due to late reporting.

Life Expectancy on the Rise

Men in Austria can now expect to live slightly longer, with life expectancy rising from 79.4 to 79.8 years. For women, the increase was more modest, from 84.2 to 84.3 years.

The country recorded 233 infant deaths in 2024, with an infant mortality rate of three per 1,000 live births.

A Long-Term Decline

Austria’s birth rate has been falling for several years, while the number of deaths has fluctuated. Since 2020, the birth balance – the difference between live births and deaths – has remained negative, with 2024 marking the fifth consecutive year of deficit.