Exploring Austria's Immigration Story: Population Growth Through Migration

Austria has seen a notable increase in its foreign population in recent years. In 2023, one in four people in Austria had a migration background, accounting for over 27% of the total population. This represents a 35% increase compared to 2015, when the number of foreign residents stood at 1.81 million. Since Austria's accession to the EU in 1995, immigration from EU member states has increased, with citizens of neighbouring Germany representing the largest immigrant group. In addition, more than half a million people with a migration background from the former Yugoslavia have made their home in Austria, making them the largest and most sought-after foreign labour group in the country.

Migration from EU member states to Austria increased after Austria joined the EU in 1995

Austria has a long history of immigration, with many people migrating to the country from the former Yugoslavia in the 1960s. These migrants were primarily "guest workers" who found a new home in Austria and stayed. Since 2006, citizens of neighbouring Germany have represented the largest immigrant group in Austria. As of 2023 (1 January), 225,012 German nationals resided in the country.

In addition to immigration from EU member states, Austria has also experienced significant humanitarian migration in recent years. In 2015, the year of Europe's so-called "migration crisis", 88,098 people sought asylum in Austria, the third-highest per capita rate in the EU that year. Together with Germany and Sweden, Austria was one of the main receiving countries of asylum applications in the EU.

German nationals are the largest immigrant group in Austria

As of 2023, German nationals are the largest immigrant group in Austria. 225,012 German nationals resided in Austria as of 1 January 2023. This is a notable increase from 2015, when the number of foreign residents in Austria stood at 1.81 million. In 2023, the number of residents with a migration background reached 2.45 million, accounting for over 27% of the total population.

Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 led to an increase in immigration from EU member states. Since the mid-2000s, EU countries have been the main source of immigration to Austria. German citizens have represented the largest immigrant group since 2006.

In addition to German nationals, people from the former Yugoslavia also make up a significant portion of immigrants in Austria. As of 2016, more than half a million people with a migration background from the former Yugoslavia had made their home in Austria. This group has been an important source of foreign labour for Austria since the 1960s.

Austria was one of the main receiving countries of asylum applications in the EU during the 2015 'migration crisis'

Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 led to an increase in immigration from EU member states. Since the mid-2000s, EU countries have been the main source of immigration to Austria. In 2015, the year of Europe's so-called 'migration crisis', 88,098 people sought asylum in Austria, the third-highest per capita rate in the EU that year. Together with Germany and Sweden, Austria was one of the main receiving countries of asylum applications in the EU. Humanitarian migration has been among the most important types of migration to Austria in recent years.

In 2023, Austria saw a notable increase in its foreign population, with one in four people having a migration background. The number of residents with a migration background reached 2.45 million, accounting for over 27% of the total population in Austria. This represented a 35% increase compared to 2015, when the number of foreign residents stood at 1.81 million.

Since the 1960s, Yugoslav workers have represented the largest and most sought-after foreign labour group in Austria. Over the years, their number has constantly increased, reaching a further peak during the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Many of the 'guest workers' who emigrated to Austria found a new home and stayed. It is estimated that more than half a million people with a migration background come from former Yugoslavia.

According to the 1990 US census, 948,558 people identified their origins in Austria. Austrian immigrants who came to Argentina did so during the two great migratory waves, i.e., about the First and Second World War.

Since the 1960s, Austrian immigration has been small, due to the country's developed status

Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 increased immigration from EU member states, with EU countries becoming the main source of immigration since the mid-2000s. Citizens of neighbouring Germany have represented the largest immigrant group in Austria since 2006, with 225,012 German nationals residing in Austria as of 1 January 2023. In 2015, the year of Europe's so-called 'migration crisis', 88,098 people sought asylum in Austria, the third-highest per capita rate in the EU that year. Together with Germany and Sweden, Austria was the main receiving country of asylum applications in the EU.

Since the 1960s, Yugoslav workers have represented the largest and most sought-after foreign labour group in Austria, with their numbers constantly increasing and reaching a further peak during the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Many of the 'guest workers' who emigrated over the years to Austria found a new home and stayed.

In 2023, Austria saw an increase in its foreign population, with one in four people having a migration background

Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 led to an increase in immigration from EU member states, particularly neighbouring Germany, which has been the largest immigrant group since 2006. In 2023, 225,012 German nationals resided in Austria. Other significant sources of immigration include the former Yugoslavia, with around 600,000 people with a migration background from this region living in Austria today.

Humanitarian migration has been among the most important types of migration to Austria in recent years. In 2015, during Europe's so-called 'migration crisis', 88,098 people sought asylum in Austria, the third-highest per capita rate in the EU that year. Together with Germany and Sweden, Austria was one of the main receiving countries of asylum applications in the EU.

While Austria has seen an increase in its foreign population in recent years, it is important to note that the country has a history of immigration and emigration. Since the 1960s, Austrian immigration has been relatively small due to the country's development and low levels of poverty and political oppression.

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