Black Population In Austria: How Many?

Austria is home to around 40,000 people of African descent, out of a population of 8.9 million. This number has risen sharply in recent decades, with most of the 40,000 living in the Federal Capital.

Black Lives Matter protests in Austria

Austria has a population of around nine million people, with an estimated 40,000 of African ancestry. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in the United States, thousands of Austrians of all ages took to the streets of Vienna to demonstrate against racism and police brutality and to join the global "Black Lives Matter" movement. The "Justice for Black Lives" March started in Human Rights Square, with over 10,000 people shouting, "No Justice, No Peace". The Austrian police acknowledged that "way over than 10,000" people attended.

The Black Lives Matter movement in Austria is a response to the country's history of racism and police brutality against Black people. Activists have highlighted historical and ongoing cases of police brutality and murder of Black people in Austria, such as the death of Marcus Omofuma in 1999. According to the Anti-Discrimination Body in Styria, only seven out of 1,518 cases of alleged mistreatment by police were submitted before the courts by the public prosecutor's office. A study also found that 40% of respondents who had dealt with the courts stated that they had not been treated with respect because of their African ancestry.

Politician, medical doctor, and activist Mireille Ngosso organised a rally that mobilised over 50,000 people. Naomi Saphira Weiser, founder of Black Lives Matter Vienna, also organised a protest in front of the US Embassy in Vienna, with more than 10,000 attendees.

The number of Africans migrating to Austria has risen sharply

Despite this growing diversity, Austria has seen a significant increase in racist attacks, and even integrated Austrians of sub-Saharan descent are facing exclusion. A study found that 40% of respondents with African ancestry had not been treated with appropriate respect by the courts, and 70% did not believe in the equality of people with black skin colour in the Austrian legal system. These are alarming statistics for a country that prides itself on values such as equality and the rule of law.

The Black Lives Matter movement, which began in the United States, has also gained traction in Austria. In 2022, politician, medical doctor, and political activist Mireille Ngosso planned a small rally for 500 participants, but more than 50,000 people showed up, demonstrating the strong support for racial equality in the country.

The number of racist attacks in Austria has increased

Austria is home to around 40,000 Black people, with most of them living in the Federal Capital. In recent years, the number of racist attacks in Austria has increased significantly. In 2018, there were nearly 2,000 racist incidents, a rise from 162 in 2017. The following year, in 2021, there were again nearly 2,000 racist attacks. According to Austria-based Civil Courage and Anti-Racism Work (ZARA), 52% to 60% of racist and hate-based incidents in the country occur online. In 2018, there were 1,164 racist posts shared on social media and other online platforms. Racist attacks also occur in public places, the service and entertainment sector, print media, and politics. The state institution where racist treatment occurred the most was the Security Directorate.

Black people in Austria are treated with disrespect by the courts

Austria has a population of around 9 million people, with an estimated 40,000 of African ancestry. In recent years, the number of Africans migrating to Austria has risen sharply. However, this has resulted in an increase in racist attacks in the country.

According to a study, 40% of respondents who had dealt with the courts stated that they had not been treated with respect due to their African ancestry. Furthermore, 70% of respondents did not believe in the equality of people with black skin colour in the Austrian legal system. Only 19% felt that the Austrian legal system treats all people equally, regardless of skin colour.

The EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) report shows that 66% of respondents with a Sub-Saharan African background were stopped by the police in the five years before the survey, and 37% of them perceived it as racial profiling. Although Austrian legislation prohibits racial profiling and offers a legal framework to deal with complaints, there have been very few judgments on racial profiling.

Despite Austria's efforts to address discrimination through legislation and policy measures, such as the Equal Treatment Act (GlBG) and the Federal Equal Treatment Act (B-GlBG), the experiences of Black people in the country suggest that more needs to be done to ensure equal treatment and respect in the legal system.

Black people in Austria do not believe in equality in the Austrian legal system

Austria has a population of around 8.9 million people, with an estimated 40,000 of them having African ancestry. This number has risen sharply in the last few decades, with most of them living in the Federal Capital. Despite this, black people in Austria do not believe in equality in the Austrian legal system. According to a study, 40% of respondents who had dealt with courts stated that they had not been treated with appropriate respect due to their African ancestry. Furthermore, 70% do not believe in the equality of people with black skin colour in the Austrian legal system. These numbers are alarming for a country that prides itself on values such as equality and the rule of law. The recent increase in racist attacks in Austria has also contributed to the exclusion of integrated Austrians of sub-Saharan descent.

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