Jobless numbers rise alarmingly in Austria
The number of people seeking work in Austria has increased by 27,007, reaching 426,012 by the end of December 2024, according to the latest figures. The unemployment rate rose to 8.3% at the end of the year, up from 7% in the previous year.
Women, young people, and those with a migration background were particularly affected, with the number of unemployed women rising by 9.5% and the number of young unemployed increasing by 9.9%. The number of academics out of work also saw a significant increase of 16.8%.
The construction industry, however, showed a notable decline in unemployment, with a 5.1% decrease in the number of job seekers.
Regional differences were also observed, with Upper Austria being the most affected, with a 10.8% increase in unemployment, followed by Salzburg with an 8.7% increase. Carinthia, on the other hand, saw a minimal increase of 0.7%.
Despite the rising unemployment, Austria recorded a record number of employed people, with 3,912,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous year. However, experts warn of a “deindustrialization” and predict rising unemployment in the manufacturing sector for 2025.
The government has expressed optimism, citing the over 270,000 people who received higher qualifications through training programs in 2024. However, trade unions and the Chamber of Labor have spoken out against the government’s handling of the situation, calling for increased investment in active labor market policies and a halt to the AMS’s personnel cuts.