Exploring Austria's Foreign-Born Population: Trends And Insights

Austria's population is growing, and this growth is largely driven by immigration. In 2023, the foreign-born population of Austria surged to 2.45 million, accounting for over 27% of the total population. This represents a 35% increase compared to 2015. Germans are the most represented foreign nationality, with 1.8 million people living in Austria as of January 2024. Other significant foreign nationalities include Romanians (153,400), Turks (122,200), and Serbians (114,289). Vienna, Austria's capital and largest city, has experienced particularly dynamic population development, with international immigration transforming a previously ageing city into a young metropolis.

What percentage of Austria's population has a migration background?

According to a 2022 study by Statistics Austria, around 25.4% of the country's population has a migration background. This equates to around 2.24 million people. This figure has risen significantly in recent years, with a total growth of 24% (or an additional 430,000 people) since 2015.

The concept of a "migration background" is important to understanding Austria's demographics. It refers to individuals whose parents were both born abroad, regardless of the individual's nationality or place of birth. Notably, not all people with a migration background are considered foreigners or hold foreign citizenship. Many have become naturalised Austrian citizens, either themselves or through their parents.

The statistics on migration backgrounds are significant because they highlight the impact of immigration on Austria's population growth. According to Tobias Thomas, Director-General of Statistics Austria, "Austria's population grows solely through immigration; without it, the population would fall back to the level of the 1950s in the long term."

The largest group of immigrants in Austria are Germans, with around 218,000 people. This is followed by Romanians, with a sharp increase in recent years, and Serbs. The Turkish population is the fourth-largest group, and refugees from Syria make up the eighth-largest group. In 2022, the fastest-growing foreign community in Austria was the Ukrainian population, largely due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The impact of migration is also evident in Austria's demographics. People with a migration background tend to be younger, with higher percentages in the 20-39 and 40-64 age groups. They also have a different educational profile, being more represented in the lowest and highest educational segments.

In summary, around a quarter of Austria's population has a migration background, and this has had a significant impact on the country's demographics and population growth.

How many foreigners live in Vienna?

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has experienced significant population growth and demographic changes over the past few decades. International immigration has played a crucial role in transforming the city from a stagnant and ageing population to a vibrant, young metropolis. As of early 2021, out of the 1,920,949 people living in Vienna, 805,039 were of foreign origin, representing 41.9% of the total population. This percentage further increased to 44.4% in 2023, with 879,526 out of 1,982,097 Viennese residents having foreign origins.

Vienna's population growth is closely tied to various historical events, including the fall of the Iron Curtain, the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Austria's accession to the European Union in 1995, subsequent EU enlargements, and more recently, the conflict in Ukraine. These events have contributed to a significant influx of immigrants, with the city's population growing by 439,430 since Austria joined the EU in 1995.

When considering the nationalities of foreigners in Vienna, Serbia, Turkey, Germany, and Poland are among the top countries of origin. In early 2021, the official breakdown per nationality showed that 101,597 people were from Serbia, followed by Hungary with 31,107, Syria with 27,716, Slovakia with 19,565, and North Macedonia with 14,160. It is worth noting that the number of Americans and British nationals living in Vienna is significantly lower, with 4,492 and 4,447, respectively.

Vienna's population dynamics are further evident in its municipal districts. Three districts, namely Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Brigittenau, and Favoriten, stand out as more than 50% of their residents have a foreign background. These districts are characterised by younger-than-average populations, higher unemployment rates, and lower average incomes compared to other parts of the city.

While the presence of foreigners in Vienna is notable, it is important to distinguish between foreign origin and foreign nationality. Some individuals with foreign origins may have acquired Austrian citizenship through naturalisation. Therefore, the number of foreign nationals in Vienna may be lower than the number of foreign-born residents. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the right to vote in Austria is tied to Austrian citizenship, which excludes a significant portion of Viennese residents from participating in democratic processes.

In conclusion, Vienna, Austria's capital, is a cosmopolitan city with a substantial foreign-born population, contributing to its cultural diversity and dynamic nature. The presence of foreigners in Vienna is shaped by historical events, EU membership, and immigration policies, making it a melting pot of diverse nationalities and backgrounds.

How has the number of foreigners in Austria changed over time?

The number of foreigners in Austria has been steadily increasing over time, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. As of 2022, more than a quarter of Austria's population has a "migration background", meaning that their parents were both born abroad. This is a significant increase from 2015, when only 1.81 million people, or 21.4% of the population, had a migration background. The total number of foreign nationals in Austria as of 2020 was 1,487,020, or 16.7% of the population.

According to Statistik Austria, the country's population is growing solely due to immigration. Without it, the population would fall back to 1950s levels in the long term. The number of foreigners in Austria has increased due to several factors, including the country's proximity to other European countries, its history of immigration, and its participation in the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Agreement.

The largest group of immigrants in Austria has traditionally been Germans, with 218,347 people as of 2022. This is a significant increase from 2015, when there were 170,475 Germans in the country. The number of Romanians has also almost doubled during this period, bringing them to the second-largest foreigner community in Austria. In 2022, there were 140,454 Romanians in Austria, up from 73,374 in 2015. The third-largest group of foreigners in Austria are Serbs, with a population of 121,643, followed by Turks with 117,944 people.

The composition of Vienna's population as of 2021 is also indicative of the changing demographics in Austria. Out of the 1,920,949 people living in the city, 805,039 were of foreign origin, representing 41.9% of the total population. The official breakdown per nationality in early 2021 showed that Serbians were the largest group, with 101,597 people, followed by Hungarians with 31,107, and Syrians/Arab Republic with 27,716.

While not all foreigners become Austrian citizens, the number of naturalisations has been increasing. In 2021, most foreign citizens who became Austrian were originally from Turkey, followed by Bosnia, Serbia, Afghanistan, and Syria. More than one-third of those who naturalised in 2021 were already born in Austria, and the majority were young people between 20 and 40 years old.

What is the impact of immigration on Austria's population growth?

Immigration has had a significant impact on Austria's population growth, with the country's population increasing by 29.6% from 7.05 million in 1960 to 9.13 million in 2023. This growth can be largely attributed to immigration, as Austria's population growth is almost exclusively driven by immigration. In fact, 97% of Austria's total population growth between 2011 and 2021 can be attributed to net migration gains.

The impact of immigration on Austria's population growth is further highlighted by the fact that the number of births and deaths in the country is usually more balanced. For example, in 2020, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths, resulting in a surplus of deaths. This trend is not uncommon, as it has also occurred in previous years, such as in 2012 and 2013.

The steady increase in immigration to Austria has led to a notable change in the composition of the population. More than a quarter of Austria's population now has a migration background, which means that they have parents who were both born abroad. This proportion has been steadily increasing, rising from 21.4% in 2015 to 25.4% in recent years. The largest group of immigrants in Austria are Germans, followed by Romanians, Serbs, and Turks. Additionally, the recent influx of refugees from Ukraine has also contributed to the growing number of foreigners in the country.

Immigration has helped to keep the Austrian population younger. Among people without a migration background, the largest proportion (36.2%) is between 40 and 64 years old, while for those with a migration background, the majority are between 20 and 39 years old (33.5%) or children and adolescents under 19 years old (22%). Immigration has also contributed to the educational profile of the country, with immigrants being more represented in the lowest and highest educational segments.

How does Austria's immigration policy compare to other countries?

Austria's immigration policies have been described as ambivalent, with measures that both welcome and restrict immigration. The country has a long history of immigration, and its population has become increasingly diverse in recent years. According to a 2022 study by Statistics Austria, about a quarter of the Austrian population has a migration background, with 25.4% of the total population being foreign-born. This has increased from 21.4% in 2015, and the number of foreigners living in Austria is now 1,587,000.

Austria's immigration policies have been influenced by public sentiment, with traditional labour migration and family reunification programs being curtailed in the 1990s due to widespread discontent over immigration levels. The country's recent policies reflect this ambivalence, with new integration measures, accession to the EU, and the admission of thousands of temporary seasonal workers.

In comparison to other countries, Austria's immigration policies are more restrictive. A 2023 survey by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's Alliance of Democracies group found that Austria was the country most in favour of reducing migration, with 34% of respondents ranking it as a top issue. This was followed by Germany (31%), the Netherlands (30%), France (28%), and Sweden (27%). However, it is worth noting that the survey also showed that global respondents considered reducing poverty, fighting corruption, promoting economic growth, and improving healthcare and education to be more important issues than reducing migration.

Austria's immigration policies have also been influenced by its membership in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). Immigrants from other EU/EEA countries are exempt from most immigration controls, and the free movement of people within the EU has contributed to the country's diverse population.

In summary, Austria's immigration policies are characterised by a mix of measures that both welcome and restrict immigration. The country's policies are more restrictive when compared to other countries, and public sentiment towards immigration has played a significant role in shaping its policies.

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