In 1992, there were 48,038 stroke patients hospitalized in Austria, which is equivalent to a stroke incidence of 609/100,000 (781/100,000 standardized for age, 35 years and older). The average number of hospitalizations per patient was 1.1 times per year; the mean length of stay in the hospital was 24.7 days per patient and 22.5 days per hospitalization. This accounts for a total of 1.2 million hospital days, worth US$ 344 million. Based on the current level of incidence and medical care, the costs related to stroke will rise by 25% until the year 2010, as the proportion of elderly people continues to grow. Data on past trends and future projections of stroke in Austria and other countries form the necessary basis for planning prevention and control of stroke.