7 reasons, why Austria is a poster child for services of general interest

1. HARDLY ANY PRIVATIZATIONS

In Austria, services of general interest are still predominantly provided by the public sector. In many other European countries though, water, energy supply, the housing sector and public transport have been sold off to private companies on a large scale. By and large however, Austria has resisted these privatizations of services of general interest.

2. HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE PRICES

The quality of services of general interest in Austria is above average in a European context, while at the same time still being affordable and having fairly priced rates. A prominent example of this is the 365 € annual ticket for Wiener Linien, hence Vienna’s public transport, which is also regarded internationally as a best-practice example of affordable access to public transport.

3. LEADER WITHIN THE EU: RENEWABLE ENERGY

With a share of more than 70% of renewable energies in total electricity generation, Austria stands at the top of the EU’s ranking. Hydropower is still the most important renewable source of electricity in Austria, while the share of wind and solar energy keeps steadily increasing.

4. LEADING THE EU IN QUALITY OF WATER

The water quality in Austria is excellent and constantly monitored. 100 % of drinking water stems from pure groundwater and spring water from the mountain ranges. 90 % of Austrians are supplied with drinking water through an excellent centralized drinking water system.

5. LEADER WITHIN THE EU: TRAVELLING BY RAIL

On average, Austrians travel around 1.5 thousand kilometres by train every year, be it to commute or going on holidays. Publicly owned and operated railroad companies account for the lion's share of this in Austria. Only in Switzerland does the population travel even more frequently by train.

6. LEADING THE EU IN SOCIAL HOUSING

Vienna has been investing in affordable housing for more than 100 years now and is widely considered the "world capital of affordable housing"[¹]: more than 60% of Viennese live in municipally owned or publicly subsidized cooperative housing.

7. SATISFIED PEOPLE

Surveys conducted by the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns and the Chamber of Labour show that Austrians are satisfied with their public services. Privatization is rejected by an overwhelming majority of the population. In a plebiscite in 2013, 87% of those taking part voted against privatization in Vienna.

[¹] City of Vienna. Social Housing in Vienna. https://socialhousing.wien/

Study Remunicipalisation in Europe (2019)

Factsheet 7 reasons why Austria is a showcase for services of general interest (ÖGPP)