Ruden: population and statistics
Ruden has a population of 1,468 (2026) across 42.4 km², or 34.6 people per km². It ranks 1,322 of 2,092 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −4.2% between 2016 and 2026.
- 1,468 residents
- 42.4 km²
- 35 people/km²
- 460 m
Ruden in numbers
Key points
Among the 132 municipalities in Carinthia, Ruden ranks No. 96 by population.
Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification: 70.8% in Ruden, compared with an average of 64.7% in Carinthia and 58.6% nationally.
Employment rate (aged 15 to 64): 73.0% in Ruden, compared with an average of 73.3% in Carinthia and 73.6% nationally.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 32.5% of the area's trade licences.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 39° generates about 1,217 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- Its area is roughly equal to 5,940 football pitches.
- Its population density is 3.2 times lower than the national average.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Griffen (3,392 residents), 6.0 km away.
- A 4 kWp rooftop solar system here would generate about 4,868 kWh a year, roughly what an average household uses.
Population of Ruden over time
Ruden had 1,533 residents in 2016 and 1,468 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,535 |
| 2022 | 1,516 |
| 2023 | 1,516 |
| 2024 | 1,507 |
| 2025 | 1,499 |
| 2026 | 1,468 |
All indicators for Ruden
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people under 15 (2026) | 12.2% | 12.9% | 14.5% | ranked 1,689 of 1,982 | |
| Share of people aged 65 and over (2026) | 23.4% | 24.7% | 22.1% | ranked 714 of 1,982 | |
| Median age (2026) | 49.5 years | – | 46.2 | ranked 419 of 1,982 | |
| Share of women (2026) | 49.6% | 51.1% | 50.3% | ranked 1,370 of 1,982 |
Housing
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private households (2024) | 622 | 262,459 | 4,139,571 | ranked 1,288 of 2,091 | |
| Average household size (2024) | 2.42 persons | – | 2.35 | ranked 707 of 1,981 |
Economy
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2024) | 105 | 48,327 | 743,940 | ranked 1,464 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments (2024) | 118 | 56,049 | 850,266 | ranked 1,448 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 78.4 | 98.3 | 91.3 | ranked 1,477 of 1,981 | |
| Active trade licences (2026) | 118 | 60,573 | 945,381 | ranked 1,511 of 2,088 | |
| Trade licences per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 80.4 | 106.3 | 98.4 | ranked 1,629 of 1,978 | |
| Municipal taxes and levies per inhabitant (2019) | 517 € | 504 € | 344 € | ranked 503 of 1,976 | |
| Municipal debt per inhabitant (2019) | 1,224 € | 1,043 € | 1,414 € | ranked 1,131 of 1,976 |
Employment
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate (aged 15 to 64) (2024) | 73.0% | 73.3% | 77.4% | ranked 1,710 of 1,981 | |
| Unemployment rate (aged 15 and over) (2024) | 5.3% | 5.8% | 3.5% | ranked 364 of 1,981 | |
| Persons employed in establishments in the municipality (2024) | 634 | 275,417 | 4,878,849 | ranked 998 of 2,091 | |
| Jobs per 100 inhabitants (2024) | 42.1 | 48.4 | 32.4 | ranked 610 of 1,981 |
Transport
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of out-commuters among employed persons by place of residence (2024) | 79.9% | 55.8% | 77.3% | ranked 708 of 1,981 |
Society
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of foreign nationals (2024) | 8.9% | 13.6% | 8.5% | ranked 932 of 1,981 | |
| Families (2024) | 424 | 157,971 | 2,490,615 | ranked 1,326 of 2,091 |
Education
| Indicator | Ruden | Carinthia | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification (2024) | 70.8% | 64.7% | 66.4% | ranked 221 of 1,981 | |
| Share of people aged 15 and over with a university, academy or college qualification as highest qualification (2024) | 8.1% | 15.0% | 11.0% | ranked 1,607 of 1,981 |
Business sectors: Ruden
Share of each sector in total trade licences; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade32.5% ×1.4
- Administrative and support services12.0% ×1.5
- Construction9.4% ×1.4
- Manufacturing7.7% ×1.3
- Professional, scientific and technical6.8% ×0.5
- Accommodation and food services6.0% ×0.8
- Health and social work5.1% ×0.5
- Information and communication4.3% ×0.6
Sunshine and temperatures: Ruden
Where is Ruden?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ruden?
Ruden has 1,468 residents (2026), ranking 1,322 of 2,092 municipalities.
How big is Ruden?
Ruden covers 42.4 km², with a density of 35 people per km².
Is the population of Ruden growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Ruden went from 1,533 to 1,468, a change of −4.2%.
Where is Ruden?
Ruden is in Carinthia. It belongs to Völkermarkt (district). Latitude 46.656, longitude 14.770.
Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification: what is the figure for Ruden?
In Ruden, “Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification” stands at 70.8% (2024), ranking 221 of 1,981 municipalities; the national median is 66.4%.
Employment rate (aged 15 to 64): what is the figure for Ruden?
In Ruden, “Employment rate (aged 15 to 64)” stands at 73.0% (2024), ranking 1,710 of 1,981 municipalities; the national median is 77.4%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Ruden?
In Ruden, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 39° produces about 1,217 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Ruden?
The nearest to Ruden are Griffen (6.0 km), Bleiburg (7.7 km), St. Paul im Lavanttal (9.1 km), Neuhaus (9.1 km), Völkermarkt (10 km).