Austria's Annual Immigrant Acceptance Figures: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria's population is growing almost exclusively through immigration, with more people migrating to the country than emigrating from it. In fact, between 2011 and 2021, 97% of Austria's total population growth (+557,500 people) was due to net migration gains (+539,905). Austria has a history of immigration, and its population has become more diverse in recent years. In 2001, 9.1% of its roughly eight million inhabitants were foreign residents, and between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. In 2010, there were 1.27 million foreign-born residents in Austria, corresponding to 15.2% of the total population. However, the official line remains that Austria is not a traditional country of immigration, and its recent immigration policies reflect that ambivalence.

Austria's population growth is almost exclusively due to immigration

Austria has a history of immigration, and its population has become increasingly diverse in recent years. According to the 2001 census, of Austria's roughly eight million inhabitants, more than 730,000 (9.1%) were foreign residents, with 62.8% coming from the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and Turkey. Between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. In 2001, Austria's proportion of foreign-born residents was even higher than that of the United States, reaching 12.5%.

As of January 1, 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 867,400 EU citizens living in Austria, representing 9.3% and 9.5% of the population, respectively. Statistics Austria data from 2022 shows that 42.6% of TCNs in the country have valid permanent residence permits, while 23.57% are temporary residents who often come to unite with family members or study.

According to Eurostat, there were 1.27 million foreign-born residents in Austria in 2010, corresponding to 15.2% of the total population. Of these, 764,000 (9.1%) were born outside the EU, and 512,000 (6.1%) were born in another EU member state. As of 2011, official estimates show that more than 19% (1.6 million) of Austria's residents had at least one parent of immigrant background. There are more than 415,000 descendants of foreign-born immigrants residing in Austria, most of whom have been naturalized.

Austria's population is becoming more diverse

Austria's population has become more diverse in recent years. According to the 2001 census, of Austria's roughly eight million inhabitants, more than 730,000 (9.1%) were foreign residents, with 62.8% coming from the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and Turkey. Between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. In 2001, Austria's proportion of foreign-born residents was 12.5%, higher than that of the United States.

As of January 1st, 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 867,400 EU citizens living in Austria, representing 9.3% and 9.5% of the population, respectively. Statistics Austria data from 2022 shows that 42.6% of TCNs have valid permanent residence permits, and 23.57% are temporary residents, often coming to unite with family members or study.

According to Statistik Austria official estimates from 2011, 81% of residents (6.75 million) had no migration background, while more than 19% (1.6 million) had at least one parent of immigrant background. There are more than 415,000 descendants of foreign-born immigrants residing in Austria, most of whom have been naturalized. In 2010, there were 1.27 million foreign-born residents in Austria, corresponding to 15.2% of the total population. Of these, 764,000 (9.1%) were born outside the EU, and 512,000 (6.1%) were born in another EU member state. 350,000 ethnic Turks (including Turkish Kurds) currently live in Austria.

Austria's immigration policies are ambivalent

Austria's population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. Between January 1st, 2011 and January 1st, 2021, 97% of Austria's total population growth (+557,500 people) can be attributed to net migration gains (+539,905). The number of births and deaths is usually more balanced. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths (-7,996). The last time this had happened was in 2012 and 2013.

According to the 2001 census, of Austria's roughly eight million inhabitants, more than 730,000 (9.1%) were foreign residents, with 62.8% coming from the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and Turkey. Between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. Austria's proportion of foreign-born residents in 2001 (12.5%) was even higher than that of the United States.

As of January 1st, 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 9.3% of the population, and another 867,400 EU citizens (9.5%) living in Austria. A small increase in the percentage of TCNs has been observed each year over the last 5 years, with the share of TCNs standing at 7.9% in 2019. According to Statistics Austria data from 2022, 42.6% of all TCNs living in Austria have valid permanent residence permits, and 23.57% are temporary residents who most often come to the country to unite with family members or study.

In 2011, official estimates showed that 81% of residents (6.75 million) had no migration background, while more than 19% (1.6 million) had at least one parent of immigrant background. There are more than 415,000 descendants of foreign-born immigrants residing in Austria, the great majority of whom have been naturalized. According to Eurostat, there were 1.27 million foreign-born residents in Austria in 2010, corresponding to 15.2% of the total population. Of these, 764,000 (9.1%) were born outside the EU, and 512,000 (6.1%) were born in another EU member state. 350,000 ethnic Turks (including a minority of Turkish Kurds) currently live in Austria.

Since the 1960s, Austrian immigration has been very small, mostly because Austria is now a developed nation where poverty and political oppression are scarce.

Austria's foreign-born population is higher than the US

Austria's foreign-born population is higher than that of the US. In 2001, Austria's proportion of foreign-born residents was 12.5%, compared to the US's 9.1%. In 2010, there were 1.27 million foreign-born residents in Austria, making up 15.2% of the total population. Of these, 764,000 were born outside the EU and 512,000 were born in another EU member state.

Austria's population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. Between 2011 and 2021, 97% of Austria's total population growth (+557,500 people) can be attributed to net migration gains (+539,905). In contrast, the number of births and deaths is usually more balanced. For example, in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of births was lower than the number of deaths (-7,996).

Austria has a history of immigration, and its population has become even more diverse in recent years. In 2001, of Austria's roughly eight million inhabitants, more than 730,000 (or 9.1%) were foreign residents, with 62.8% coming from the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and Turkey. Between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. As of 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 867,400 EU citizens living in Austria, representing 9.3% and 9.5% of the population, respectively.

While Austria has a higher foreign-born population than the US, it is important to note that Austrian immigration to the US has been relatively small since the 1960s, mainly due to Austria's development and the lack of poverty and political oppression.

Austrian immigration has been small since the 1960s

Austria's population has become more diverse in recent years. According to the 2001 census, of Austria's roughly eight million inhabitants, more than 730,000 (or 9.1%) were foreign residents, with 62.8% of them coming from the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and from Turkey. Between 1985 and 2001, over 254,000 foreigners were naturalized. Austria's proportion of foreign-born residents in 2001 was even higher than that of the United States, reaching a level of 12.5%. However, the official line remains that Austria is not a traditional country of immigration, and recent immigration policies reflect that ambivalence.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 9.3% of the population, and another 867,400 EU citizens (9.5%) living in Austria at the time. According to Statistics Austria, a small increase in the percentage of TCNs is observed each year over the last 5 years, with the share of TCNs standing at 7.9% in 2019. According to Statistics Austria data from 2022, 42.6% of all TCNs living in Austria have valid permanent residence permits, and 23.57% are temporary residents who most often come to the country to unite with family members or study.

The Austrian population is growing almost exclusively through immigration: Every year there are considerably more people migrating to than emigrating from Austria. In contrast, the numbers of births and deaths are usually more balanced. 97% of Austria’s total population growth between January 1st, 2011 and January 1st, 2021 (+557,500 people) can be attributed to net migration gains (+539,905). The surplus of births was comparatively low in this period. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of births was even lower than the number of deaths (-7,996). The last time this had happened was in 2012 (-484) and 2013 (-196).

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