Immigrants In Austria: Perspectives And Public Opinion

Austria's attitude towards immigration is complex. While the country has seen an increase in its foreign-born population in recent years, with around 27% of its population having migrant roots, there is a sense of ambivalence about immigration. Austrians have expressed concerns about their country's ability to integrate migrants, particularly Muslims, and this has been a key issue in recent elections, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) winning for the first time on a platform of tightening asylum laws and cracking down on illegal immigration. However, a survey by Statistics Austria found that over 72% of immigrants feel a sense of belonging to the country, and most perceive coexistence with Austrians as 'very good' or 'rather good'.

Austria's ability to integrate migrants

However, recent surveys have revealed that most immigrants feel positively connected to Austria, with more than 72% expressing a sense of belonging to the country. This is especially true of individuals born in Syria, Iran, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Almost three-quarters of those born abroad feel a sense of belonging to Austria, and over half rate the coexistence between Austrians and migrants as "very good" or "rather good".

Austria has a large foreign-born population, with around 2.45 million residents with a migration background, accounting for over 27% of the total population. This represents a significant increase compared to 2015, when the number of foreign residents stood at 1.81 million. Germans are the most represented foreign nationality, with 1.8 million people living in Austria.

Despite the concerns of some Austrians, the country has implemented policies that reflect a continuing ambivalence about immigration. A government measure barring some asylum seekers from access to federal benefits has provoked debate among Austria's political parties. At the same time, strategies are being examined to improve the inclusion of migrant and minority communities in culture and the arts, with the aim of boosting integration outcomes and strengthening social cohesion.

The rise of the far-right in Austria

Austria has been experiencing a rightward shift in recent years, with immigration becoming a key concern for voters. The country has seen a significant increase in its foreign-born population, with around 27% of its 9 million residents having migrant roots. This has sparked worries among some Austrians about their country's ability to integrate migrants, particularly those of Muslim origin.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has capitalised on these concerns, running on a platform of tightening asylum laws and cracking down on illegal immigration. In a recent election, the FPO emerged victorious for the first time, reflecting the growing support for far-right ideologies in Austria. The FPO's victory has raised concerns about the rise of the far right in Europe, following similar electoral gains by the Alternative for Germany and the National Rally in France.

Austria's ambivalent attitude towards immigration is reflected in its recent policies, which range from restrictive to liberal. A government measure barring some asylum seekers from accessing federal benefits has sparked debates among the country's political parties. While Austria's diverse population indicates a level of integration, there are concerns about underrepresentation of migrants and minorities in mainstream cultural venues, arts, and staff.

The rise of the far right in Austria is closely tied to these immigration concerns. The FPO and the OVP, the two leading parties, have pledged to adopt tougher immigration policies, appealing to voters who feel that Austria is taking in migrants faster than it can integrate them. This sentiment is not limited to native Austrians, as even some Austrians of Muslim origin share these worries.

The FPO's victory underscores the growing influence of far-right ideologies in Austrian politics. With the FPO and OVP together winning over 55% of the vote, there are expectations that Austria will follow in the footsteps of neighbouring countries in implementing stricter immigration measures. The rise of the far right in Austria highlights the complex dynamics between immigration, integration, and political ideologies in the country.

The inclusion of migrants in Austrian culture

Austria's attitude towards immigration is mixed. While many Austrians are worried about their country's ability to integrate migrants, especially Muslims, and want stricter immigration laws, a recent survey by Statistics Austria found that 72% of immigrants feel positively connected to Austria, with a strong sense of belonging. This is particularly true of individuals born in Syria, Iran, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Austria has seen a notable increase in its foreign population in recent years, with one in four people having a migration background as of 2023. This has led to concerns that Austria is taking in migrants faster than it can integrate them, and has fuelled the rise of far-right parties such as the Freedom Party (FPO), which won over 55% of the vote in the 2024 election.

Despite this, Austria is taking steps to improve the inclusion of migrants and minorities in its culture. A report by MPI Europe examines strategies for boosting integration outcomes, strengthening social cohesion, and making cultural institutions more vibrant. This includes increasing the representation of migrants and minorities among cultural venues' visitors, featured artists, and staff.

Austria's political parties are also debating the issue of immigration, with some more restrictive and others more liberal policies being proposed. However, a government measure barring some asylum seekers from access to federal benefits has provoked division among the parties.

The number of migrants in Austria

Austria's population is around 9 million, and the number of people in Austria born abroad or whose parents were born abroad jumped by more than a third between 2015 and 2023. This demographic now accounts for around 27% of the population, or 2.45 million people. The number of foreign residents in 2015 was 1.81 million, so there has been a 35% increase. Germans are the most represented foreign nationality, with 1.8 million people living in Austria.

A survey by Statistics Austria revealed that most immigrants feel positively connected to Austria, with more than 72% expressing a sense of belonging to the country. Individuals born in Syria, Iran, and Bosnia and Herzegovina showed a strong bond with Austria. When it comes to living together, data shows that Austrians perceive it as more critical than migrants do. More specifically, 23.2% of people born in Austria rate coexistence with migrants as “very good” or “fairly good”, whereas 55.8% of immigrants rate the coexistence between Austrians and migrants as “very good“ or “rather good“.

Austria's continuing ambivalence about immigration is reflected in recent policies, some more restrictive, some more liberal. A government measure barring some asylum seekers from access to federal benefits has provoked sparring among Austria's political parties. Opinion polls showed immigration and inflation were key voter concerns in the 2024 election, which gave victory to the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) for the first time. Both the FPO and the runner-up, the ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), ran on pledges to tighten asylum laws and crack down on illegal immigration. The FPO victory added to critics' concerns about the rise of the far right in Europe.

How immigrants feel about Austria

Austria's recent political shift to the right has put immigration in the crosshairs. The country is taking in migrants faster than it can integrate them, and many Austrians are worried about their country's ability to integrate migrants, especially Muslims. This has led to a desire for stricter immigration laws, which was a key issue in the recent election that saw the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) win for the first time.

Despite this, immigrants themselves feel positively connected to Austria, with more than 72% expressing a sense of belonging to the country. This is especially true for individuals born in Syria, Iran, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Almost three-quarters of those born abroad feel a sense of belonging to Austria, and over half rate the coexistence between Austrians and migrants as "very good" or "rather good".

Austria's ambivalent attitude towards immigration is reflected in its recent policies, which range from more restrictive to more liberal. A government measure barring some asylum seekers from access to federal benefits has provoked division among Austria's political parties.

Migrants and minorities are often underrepresented among mainstream cultural venues' visitors, featured artists, and staff. This has led to the development of strategies for improving the inclusion of migrant and minority communities in culture and the arts, with the aim of boosting integration outcomes and strengthening social cohesion.

Austria's foreign population has been increasing, with one in four people having a migration background in 2023. This represents a 35% increase compared to 2015, when the number of foreign residents stood at 1.81 million. Germans are the most represented foreign nationality, with 1.8 million people living in Austria.

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