The number of hospital discharges for inpatient care in Austria has been on a gradual decline since 2013. In 2023, this value stood at 2.15 million. The year-on-year variations generally show a slight downward trend, with the most recent two years (2022 and 2023) both seeing decreases of approximately 0.19%. Over the last five years, the average annual decline (CAGR) has been about 0.31%. Forecasts from 2024 to 2028 suggest a continued, albeit slower, decline with an average annual decrease of 0.14% and a total forecasted decline of 0.7% by 2028.

Future trends to watch for include:

Potential impacts of healthcare policy changes and reforms on hospital discharge rates.
The increasing role of telemedicine and outpatient services in reducing inpatient admissions.
Demographic changes, such as aging population, which may affect the demand for inpatient care.
Technological advancements in medical care that could potentially shorten hospital stays.