Austria's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
Austria continues to demonstrate strong momentum in AI adoption and made progress on connectivity deployment, although the country still lags behind in the roll-out of Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCN) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), while the start-up ecosystem remains constrained by declining venture capital and limited unicorn growth.
Austria's roadmap is composed of 85 measures with a budget of EUR 4.07 billion (equivalent to 0.84% of Austria’s GDP in 2024).
Observed Key Performance Indicators as Percentage of the EU 2030 targets
The graph represents the observed Key Performance Indicators in the Member State as a percentage of the EU 2030 targets, as well as the distance, in percentage, to the EU 2030 targets.
The bars for cloud, data analytics and basic skills are also empty, as 2023 is the most recent year for which data is available. The bars for edge nodes and unicorns are also empty as the Member State's performance cannot be compared to the EU target.
In 2024, Austria had an estimated 33 edge nodes and 5 unicorns.
High-performance connectivity and foundational technologies for a competitive EU
There was a strong momentum in AI adoption and progress was made on connectivity deployment.
Austria maintained a solid performance in digital public services and in strategic technologies such as semiconductors and quantum technologies.
The country still lags behind in the roll-out of Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCN) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
Recommendation
Sustain and further accelerate the pace of fibre rollout (FTTP), particularly in rural areas, by maintaining strong investment and encouraging new deployment commitments
Digital skills and public services to protect and empower EU people and society
Strong performance in digital skills and targeted measures to bridge structural gaps continue to be expanded.
Austria performs well in e-health and digital public services, with new national targets, a dedicated strategy, and substantial funding.
Persistent disparities, particularly across education and age groups, affect digital inclusion.
Recommendation
Accelerate the overall growth of ICT specialists by strengthening reskilling and upskilling initiatives and promoting ICT training across enterprises, while continuing efforts to close gender gaps
Leveraging digital transformation for a smart greening
Austria recognises the need to integrate environmental sustainability into its digital transition but lacks a coherent strategy explicitly twinning green and digital.
While AI for Green and SME-DIGITAL 4.0 initiatives support climate goals, no new measures have been adopted to monitor the environmental footprint of digital technologies or improve energy efficiency in infrastructures, such as data centres.
Funding
EUR 1.3 billion
Share of Austria’s total Recovery and Resilience plan contributing to advancing the country’s digital transformation
EUR 76 million
Share of Austria's total Cohesion funds contributing to advancing the country’s digital transformation
What do Austrian citizens think of digital?
According to the special Eurobarometer on the Digital Decade, 73% of Austrian citizens consider that the digitalisation of public and private services is making their lives easier.
87% of citizens consider it important that public authorities mitigate the issue of fake news and disinformation online.
82% of citizens consider it important to ensure that European companies can grow and become ‘European Champions’ able to compete globally.
For more information, please download:
- Austria 2025 Country report – Executive Summary
- Austria 2025 Country report
- Austria in the 2025 Digital Decade Eurobarometer
- Study on implementation of the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles – Country factsheet – Austria
- Austria's roadmap - First national roadmap adjustment
More on the Digital Decade Report 2025
Member States must submit to the Commission national roadmaps, detailing the actions they plan to...