Austria's Passport Holders: Migration And Citizenship

Austria is considered a destination and transit country for migration. As a result, there is a lack of data on emigrant profiles and migration push factors. However, it is known that many Austrians live abroad, with the Federal Ministry reporting 587,620 Austrians living in other countries, most of them in Germany. In 2021, Statistics Austria recorded 101,714 emigrants moving abroad, and in 2020, Austria saw a 5.6% increase in emigration, with 96,278 emigrants. Vienna, in particular, has a high proportion of foreign nationals, with 40.2% of its residents born abroad and 45.4% of foreign origin as of 2024. This means that they either hold foreign citizenship or are Austrian nationals born abroad.

In 2021, 101,714 emigrants left Austria

Austria's population is growing almost exclusively through immigration. In 2021, the population of Austria was 8.93 million, with 2.4 million people with a migration background living in the country, accounting for 26.7% of the entire population. In 2023, this number increased to 2.45 million, with one in four people having a migration background.

Vienna's population is also heavily influenced by immigration, with 35.4% of Vienna's residents being foreign nationals, 40.2% being born abroad, and 45.4% being of foreign origin. This means that they either hold a foreign citizenship or are Austrian nationals born abroad. At the beginning of 2024, 1,295,341 Viennese were Austrian nationals, while 911,152 were of foreign origin.

In 2020, Austria experienced an increase of 5.6% in emigration, with 96,278 emigrants. The leading destination countries for Austrian emigrants are Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, and the Netherlands.

In 2020, emigration increased by 5.6%

In 2020, emigration from Austria increased by 5.6%. This means that 96,278 people emigrated from Austria that year. This is a notable increase from the 93,914 emigrants recorded in 2011. Austria is considered a destination and transit country for migration, and there are currently 587,620 Austrians living abroad. Most of them reside in Germany (256,000), followed by Switzerland (67,000), the USA (38,000), the United Kingdom (36,900), and Australia (20,000).

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has a significant population of foreign nationals and individuals of foreign origin. As of 2024, 35.4% of Vienna's residents were foreign nationals, 40.2% were born abroad, and 45.4% were of foreign origin. This means that they either held foreign citizenship or were Austrian nationals born abroad. At the beginning of 2024, there were 1,295,341 Viennese who were Austrian nationals, while 911,152 were of foreign origin. The main countries of origin for Viennese who are foreign nationals or were born abroad include Serbia, Turkey, Germany, and Poland.

Austria has also experienced an increase in naturalizations, with more migrants becoming eligible for citizenship. Between 1998 and 2001, the number of naturalizations increased from 17,786 to 31,731. This trend is likely to have continued, with many migrants from the high immigration period of 1988-1993 becoming eligible for citizenship.

Vienna's population is diverse: 35.4% are foreign nationals, 40.2% are born abroad and 45.4% are of foreign origin

Vienna's population is diverse: 35.4% of its residents are foreign nationals, 40.2% are born abroad and 45.4% are of foreign origin. This means that they either hold a foreign citizenship or are Austrian nationals born abroad. At the beginning of 2024, 1,295,341 Viennese were Austrian nationals, while 911,152 were of foreign origin. The main countries of origin of Viennese who are foreign nationals or were born abroad have hardly changed over the years: at the beginning of 2024, 99,627 people originated from Serbia, 76,620 from Turkey, 71,473 from Germany and 55,223 from Poland.

Vienna is considered a destination and transit country for migration. However, there is a lack of official data and reports regarding emigrant profiles and migration push factors in the country. Statistics Austria, the National Statistical Institute, recorded 101,714 emigrants moving abroad in 2021. The number of naturalisations has increased since 1998, with 31,731 in 2001. In 2020, Austria experienced a 5.6% increase in emigration, with 96,278 emigrants. The OECD recorded that the leading destination countries for Austrians were Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan and the Netherlands.

Vienna's population is around 1.7 million people, with a density of around 4,000 people per square kilometre. The city has recognised the need to adapt its services and facilities to address the diverse needs of its residents. In 2004, the City of Vienna established Municipal Department 17 - Integration and Diversity (MA 17) to promote equal opportunities and help all people who live in Vienna to get along well with each other in everyday life. The Vienna Integration and Diversity Monitor presents facts and figures on migration, integration and diversity in the city, and the results provide a basis for public debate on these issues.

In 2017, 31,731 people were naturalised

In 2001, 31,731 people were naturalised as Austrian citizens. This was an increase from 17,786 in 1998. The number of naturalisations has continued to increase since 1998, largely due to demographic reasons. Many migrants who entered Austria between 1988 and 1993 are now eligible for citizenship on a discretionary basis.

Vienna's population reflects the immigration of mainly young people. At the beginning of 2024, 35.4% of Vienna's residents were foreign nationals, 40.2% were born abroad and 45.4% were of foreign origin. This means that they either held a foreign citizenship or were Austrian nationals born abroad. 19.6% of Vienna's residents are third-country citizens and are not entitled to vote in any elections. This exclusion from the right to vote particularly affects young people, with 40.9% of Viennese between the ages of 16 and 24 not possessing Austrian citizenship.

In 2011, 93,914 people emigrated

In 2020, Austria saw a 5.6% increase in emigration, with 96,278 emigrants. The leading destination countries for Austrians are Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, and the Netherlands. Vienna, in particular, has a high proportion of foreign nationals, with 35.4% of residents being foreign nationals and 45.4% being of foreign origin as of the beginning of 2024.

Frequently asked questions