1. 🔢 People with a migration background

• 2.509 million people in Austria have a migrant background – this corresponds to 27.8% of the total population.
• The term includes both people who were born abroad and those whose parents come from abroad (2nd generation).
  • 1.875 million people belong to the first generation.
  • 634,000 people were born in Austria but have parents of foreign origin.
• In comparison: In 2013, the proportion was still 20.4%, since then it has risen continuously – particularly due to refugee movements, internal EU migration and family reunification.

2. 🌍 Foreign nationals

• A total of 1.94 million foreign nationals live in Austria – this corresponds to 20.2% of the population.
• The largest groups by nationality:
  • Germany: 239,500
  • Romania: 155,700
  • Turkey: 124,800
  • Serbia: 122,500
  • Hungary: 112,400
• The increase in the foreign population is particularly visible in urban regions and also influences the structure of the labor market and education system.

3. 🏙️ Distribution by federal state

• The proportion of people with a migration background varies greatly between the federal states:
  • Vienna: Highest share with 40.9 %.
  • Vorarlberg: 23.6 %
  • Salzburg: 22.0 %
  • Tyrol: 21.1 %
  • Lower Austria: 14.9 %
  • Burgenland: 13.7 %
• In Vienna in particular, the high level of diversity affects almost all areas of society – from schools to the labor market and healthcare.

4. 🛂 Asylum, flight & protection

• Asylum applications in 2024: Only 25,400, which is significantly fewer than in 2023 (59,200)
• Main countries of origin of asylum seekers:
  • Syria: 13,909 applications
  • Afghanistan: 3,396
  • Turkey: 1,121
• Asylum grants: 17,000 people received asylum in 2024 – the second-highest number since 2017
  • Syrian citizens were the most frequently recognized, with around 12,500 positive decisions.
• In addition, 7,800 people were granted subsidiary protection, primarily in the absence of personal persecution but in the event of danger in their country of origin.
• The recognition rate for Syrians and Afghans is high – which points to the persistently difficult security situation in these regions.

5. 💼 Labor market integration

• Employment rate:
  • People without a migration background: 76.4 %
  • With a migration background: 69.0 %
  • Particularly low: people from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq → only 44.1 %
• Women from these countries are particularly disadvantaged:
  • Employment rate is only 24.3 % (2023: still 32.3 %)
  • Causes: language barriers, childcare, lack of qualifications
• Unemployment rate:
  • Austrian citizens: 5.7 %
  • Foreign nationals: 10.5 %
  • Persons entitled to asylum and protection from crisis regions: 31.3%
• Training & qualification:
  • In 2024, 75,000 people took part in AMS qualifications
  • Of which 40,500 are foreign nationals, an increase of 10 %
  • Goal: Improvement of language, qualification, access to the labor market

6. 🧠 Education & language

• Literacy:
  • Two thirds of the 2024 recognized asylum seekers and people entitled to protection need literacy training.
  • 44% of them cannot even read and write in their own mother tongue.
• German language skills are the key to integration – both in the labor market and in the education system.
• First language in schools:
  • In the 2023/24 school year, 26.4% of pupils spoke a language other than German at home.
  • Highest share:
    • Special schools: 44.1 %
    • Secondary schools: over 30 %
  • Linguistic diversity poses educational challenges for schools – especially when learning and social support needs arise at the same time.

For more details – Static brochure | Migration and integration 2025

Excerpt from Original – Statistical Yearbook “Migration & Integration”, July 15, 2025