Austria vs Bulgaria development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

The demographic indicators for Austria and Bulgaria reveal significant differences in health outcomes and population metrics. Austria has a birth rate of 8.5 per 1,000 people, while Bulgaria's is slightly higher at 8.9 per 1,000, leading Austria to rank 50th and Bulgaria 45th in terms of birth rate. However, the death rate in Austria stands at 9.8 per 1,000, significantly lower than Bulgaria's 15.7, where Bulgaria ranks 9th, indicating a better health scenario in Austria. Life expectancy at birth reaches 81.5 years in Austria, compared to 75.7 years in Bulgaria, ranking 34th versus 69th respectively. Furthermore, the under-five mortality rate is notably better in Austria at 3.1 per 1,000 live births compared to Bulgaria's 6.1, with Austria ranking 56th and Bulgaria 6th in this critical health metric. In terms of healthcare accessibility, Austria spends $6,178 per capita on general government health expenditure, vastly outpacing Bulgaria's $1,607. Professionals in healthcare are also more plentiful in Austria, with 5.5 physicians per 1,000 people versus Bulgaria's 4.9. Although suicide rates are lower in Austria at 14.5 per 100,000 compared to Bulgaria's 9.5, both countries face challenges in overall mental health. Overall, Austria demonstrates stronger health metrics and greater health expenditure, indicating a higher standard of living and healthcare quality.

Economy

Austria's economy significantly outpaces Bulgaria's by multiple indicators. The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for Austria is $56,833, which is substantially higher than Bulgaria's $17,412, placing them at ranks 19th and 103rd respectively. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), Austria's GDP per capita is $71,618 compared to $41,086 in Bulgaria. This stark contrast signifies a higher standard of living in Austria. Additionally, the inflation rate is relatively controlled in Austria at 2.9%, while Bulgaria's stands at 2.4%, marking both economies as stable but with slight variations. The unemployment rate in Austria is slightly higher at 5.3%, compared to Bulgaria's 4.3%. The economic environment in Austria appears more robust, with considerable advantages in terms of wealth, job creation, and inflation control.

Trade and Investment

In terms of international trade, Austria's exports account for 56.9% of its GDP, just above Bulgaria's 55.8%, suggesting a highly trade-oriented economy. Both countries have similar rates in imports as well, with Austria at 53.6% and Bulgaria at 53.5% of GDP. In high-technology exports, Austria again takes the lead with $27.3 billion compared to Bulgaria’s $3.2 billion, highlighting Austria’s advanced industrial capabilities. However, Bulgaria attracts a higher percentage of foreign direct investment, with net inflows at 3.1% of its GDP versus Austria's 1.8%. This suggests that while Austria boasts higher technological exports and a more developed economy, Bulgaria may be seen as an attractive option for investors seeking growth potential.

Governance and Institutions

Governance in Austria is characterized by a higher stability and effectiveness compared to Bulgaria. Austria ranks better in the control of corruption with a score of 1.1 against Bulgaria's -0.1, marking substantial differences in administrative integrity. In terms of government effectiveness, Austria again outperforms with a score of 1.3 versus Bulgaria's score of 0. Austria ranks 23rd globally in government effectiveness, while Bulgaria ranks 76th. The political landscape is similarly more stable in Austria, with a score of 0.7 for political stability compared to Bulgaria's 0.3. Austria's regulatory quality is rated 1.4 versus Bulgaria's 0.4, indicating stronger institutional frameworks. Lastly, the rule of law in Austria receives a ranking of 1.7, whereas Bulgaria’s score is 0, highlighting significant challenges in judicial processes in Bulgaria.

Infrastructure and Technology

Austria shows notable advantages in infrastructure quality and technological advances compared to Bulgaria. The logistics performance index, which measures trade and transport-related infrastructure, scores 3.9 for Austria and 3.1 for Bulgaria, reflecting superior logistics and transportation systems in Austria. Furthermore, Austria has a robust research and development expenditure at 3.2% of GDP, while Bulgaria trails with only 0.8%. The differences in technology are apparent in the patent applications data, where Austria leads with 1,872 patents versus just 165 in Bulgaria, indicating a more innovative environment likely driven by better education and investment in technology sectors.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental conservation practices differ greatly between the two nations. Austria has made significant strides in renewable energy consumption, with 36% of its total energy coming from renewable sources, compared to Bulgaria's 20.4%. While both countries have the same prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of the population, Austria's water stress level is considerably lower, with only 8.7% of available freshwater resources being withdrawn, whereas Bulgaria's figure is much higher at 37.5%, indicating a greater challenge in water sustainability. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita suggest a similar scenario, with Austria emitting 8.0 t CO2e per capita, while Bulgaria stands at 8.3 t CO2e per capita. Austria's commitment to sustainable practices is evident while Bulgaria still grapples with significant environmental challenges.