Austria's Migrant Population: Size And Impact

Austria has a large migrant population, with 2,327,064 migrants living in the country in 2024, representing about 25.5% of the total population. This includes granted refugees but not asylum seekers. In 2023, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications, most of which came from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. In the same year, 19 Austrian citizens applied for asylum in other countries. Austria's migrant population is diverse, with people from both within and outside the EU, and the country has an action plan in place to support migrant integration, focusing on labour market inclusion and language acquisition.

In 2024, 2,327,064 migrants lived in Austria, making up 25.5% of the population

Austria has a history of migration, with 97% of the country's total population growth between January 1st, 2011 and January 1st, 2021, attributed to net migration gains. In 2020, the net migration gain was 40,064, similar to the figure of 40,613 in 2019.

In 2023, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications, with around 55% of these answered positively. In the same year, 19 asylum applications were made by Austrian citizens in other countries.

Austria also experiences internal migration, with 782,995 instances of residence changes within national borders in 2021. However, much of this migration is short-range, with people moving between rural and semi-rural areas, and between cities and their surrounding regions.

In 2023, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications

Austria is one of the countries where refugees are not only coming in. In 2024, a total of 2,327,064 migrants lived in Austria, representing about 25.5% of the total population. These are all residents who live permanently in the country but were born in another country. The numbers include granted refugees but not asylum seekers. The data is based on the results of censuses, as well as on estimates and projections from the United Nations Population Division. The data is only collected approximately every five years.

In 2021, there were 782,995 instances of residence changes within national borders. However, a significant percentage of people are involved in very short-range migration: around half of these displacements take place at an intra-municipal level. When it implies a change of municipality, internal migration in Austria still seems to take place within a relatively short distance. Every city swaps people mostly with rural or semi-rural areas close to them, with the exception of certain influential towns like Graz or Klagenfurt, which attract people from further regions. This short-distance rural-to-urban migration has been quite common, inasmuch to produce population decline in certain rural areas of the country affected mostly by crises involving the manufacturing business.

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 and 2013. Based on 136,343 immigrations and 96,279 emigrations, the net migration gain in 2020 (+40,064) was similar to 2019 (+40,613). 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).

In 2021, there were 782,995 instances of residence changes within Austria's borders

Austria has a significant population of third-country nationals (TCNs) and EU citizens. As of 1 January 2023, there were about 842,600 TCNs and 867,400 EU citizens living in Austria, representing 9.3% and 9.5% of the population, respectively.

In addition, Austria also receives asylum applications from refugees. In 2023, the country received 59,157 asylum applications, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. A total of 31,362 decisions have been made on initial applications, with around 55% answered positively and 45% rejected.

Overall, migration plays a significant role in shaping Austria's population dynamics and contributes to its cultural diversity.

In 2020, Austria's net migration gain was 40,064

Austria is a country where refugees are not only coming in, but also leaving. In 2023, there were 19 asylum applications from Austrian citizens in other countries. In the same year, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications, most of which came from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.

Austria's population is made up of a mix of third-country nationals, EU citizens and Austrian citizens. As of 1 January 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 867,400 EU citizens living in Austria. This means that 18.8% of the population were not Austrian citizens. In 2024, a total of 2,327,064 migrants lived in Austria, representing about 25.5% of the total population.

Internal migration is also common in Austria. In 2021, there were 782,995 instances of residence changes within the national borders. Most of these displacements take place at an intra-municipal level, but some influential towns like Graz or Klagenfurt attract people from further regions.

In 2022, 9.3% of Austria's population were third-country nationals

Austria has a history of migration, with 97% of its total population growth between 2011 and 2021 attributed to net migration gains. In 2020, the net migration gain was 40,064, similar to the figure of 40,613 in 2019.

Austria also receives asylum applications from refugees. In 2023, 59,157 asylum applications were received, most of which came from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. Around 55% of these applications were answered positively, with refugees from stateless persons and Yemen having the most success.

Internal migration within Austria is also common, with 782,995 residence changes within national borders in 2021. Many of these displacements take place at an intra-municipal level, with people moving between cities and rural or semi-rural areas.

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