
In 2021, the service sector employed 69.04% of Austria's workforce, making it the industry that employs more than half of the country's workers. The service sector includes wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, manufacturing, construction, and accommodation and food service activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sector | Service |
| Percentage Employed in the Sector | 69.04% |
| Other Sectors | Agriculture, Industry |
| Percentage of Employees in Agriculture | 3.54% |
| Percentage of Employees in Industry | 26.36% |
| Year | 2021 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Service sector employs the most
In 2021, the service sector employed the most people in Austria, with 69.04% of the country's workforce. This is a stark contrast to the agricultural sector, which only employed 3.54% of the population, and the industrial sector, which employed 26.36%.
The service sector covers a wide range of industries, including wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, accommodation, and food service activities. These industries are vital to the Austrian economy, providing employment for almost seven out of ten workers.
Wholesale and retail trade is a significant contributor to the service sector's dominance, employing 19.7% of Austria's workforce in 2022. This industry encompasses a diverse range of businesses, from small local shops to large multinational companies. It is worth noting that most enterprises in Austria are in the wholesale and retail trade industry, accounting for 17.1% of all enterprises in the country.
Another key industry within the service sector is accommodation and food service activities, which employed 8.6% of Austria's workforce in 2022. This industry includes hotels, restaurants, cafes, and other hospitality businesses, which are essential to the country's thriving tourism sector.
The service sector's significant contribution to employment in Austria is partly due to the presence of large multinational companies and institutions, such as the University of Vienna and the Technical University of Vienna. These organizations contribute to a skilled and diverse labour market, particularly in Vienna, the country's economic hub.
G43 Rifles: US and Austrian Differences Explored
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Digital transition in the labour market
Austria's workforce is distributed across various economic sectors, with the service sector being the largest, employing 69.04% of the workforce in 2021. The industry sector came in second, employing 26.36% of the workforce, while the agricultural sector employed 3.54%.
When it comes to the digital transition in the labour market, Austria has seen significant changes in 2024. The demand for IT professionals in fields like artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity is on the rise. This trend is driven by the increasing adoption of digital solutions in many sectors, including finance, retail, and manufacturing. As a result, new roles are being created, even as routine tasks become automated.
To keep up with the changing landscape, job seekers in Austria are encouraged to upskill in digital competencies, as these skills are highly valued across industries. Retraining programs can help workers, especially women and older employees, find new opportunities in emerging sectors. Vienna, Austria's economic hub, is home to large multinational companies and institutions that contribute to a skilled workforce.
The Austrian Employment Service (AMS) plays a crucial role in supporting both job seekers and employers. They offer targeted training programs and assistance, including EURES, which helps employers find workers across the EU. With the digital transition, employers are integrating older employees into their workforce, and job seekers are encouraged to explore opportunities within Austria and across Europe.
The employment rate in Austria in 2023 was 74.1%, higher than the EU27 average. The unemployment rate was 4.6%, also lower than the EU27 average. These figures indicate a robust labour market in Austria, with a diverse range of industries adopting digital solutions and driving the demand for IT professionals.
Gratz, Austria: How Far to Serbia's Border?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Large companies dominate
In Austria, large companies with more than 250 employees make up a significant portion of the economy and workforce. In fact, as of 2022, the highest proportion of employees, 34.4%, worked in these large companies. This trend is further emphasised by the fact that such companies accounted for only 0.3% of all enterprises in the country, with just 1,481 businesses in this category. This indicates a concentration of employment within a relatively small number of large enterprises.
The service sector is the largest employer in Austria, accounting for 69.04% of employees in 2021. This encompasses a range of industries, including wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which was the single largest employer in 2022, accounting for 19.7% of the workforce. Manufacturing and construction are also significant sectors, employing 19.6% and 9.8% of the workforce, respectively.
Vienna, Austria's economic hub, is home to numerous large multinational companies and institutions, contributing significantly to the country's skilled workforce. The city's gross domestic product per capita is well above the national average, reflecting its economic importance. The digital transition is also a key driver of change in Austria's labour market, with rising demand for IT professionals in fields like artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity. This trend cuts across various sectors, including finance, retail, and manufacturing, as they increasingly adopt digital solutions.
While the large companies dominate in terms of employee numbers, it is worth noting that smaller enterprises make up a significant portion of the business landscape in Austria. In 2022, most enterprises could be found in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (17.1%), professional, scientific, and technical activities (16.8%), and human health and social work activities (13.7%). These smaller enterprises contribute to the diversity and stability of Austria's economy, particularly in Vienna, known for its dynamic labour market.
Hungary's Violent Past: Shooting at Austria
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Wholesale and retail trade
In 2022, the industry that employed the most people in Austria was wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. This sector made up 19.7% of the Austrian workforce, and 17.1% of the country's enterprises. The service sector as a whole made up 69.04% of the workforce in 2021, and the employment rate in 2023 was 74.1%, higher than the EU27 average.
The Austrian Employment Service (AMS) supports job seekers and employers through targeted training programs, and EURES helps employers find workers across the EU. Older job seekers are encouraged to explore opportunities within Austria and across Europe, and targeted retraining programs can help them find new opportunities in emerging industries.
In 2023, Vienna, with its diverse and stable labour market, represented about 21.8% of the population of Austria. The city is home to large multinational companies and institutions like the University of Vienna and the Technical University of Vienna, which supply a skilled workforce.
Demand for IT professionals in Austria is rising, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Many sectors, including finance, retail, and manufacturing, are increasingly adopting digital solutions, creating new roles while automating routine tasks. Job seekers are encouraged to upskill in digital competencies, as these are highly valued across industries.
Bismarck's Role in Prussia's War Against Austria
You may want to see also

Manufacturing
Austria has a strong tradition of manufacturing, with a highly skilled workforce and a reputation for producing high-quality goods. The country has a long history of craftsmanship and innovation, which has contributed to the development of a robust manufacturing industry.
The manufacturing sector in Austria encompasses a diverse range of activities, including the production of machinery, vehicles, and parts, as well as food and beverage processing, and the manufacturing of various consumer goods. The country is particularly known for its expertise in engineering and technology, with many companies specializing in the production of precision tools, automation, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Austrian manufacturing businesses range from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations. Many of these companies are at the forefront of innovation, investing in research and development to create new products and improve existing ones. They also contribute significantly to exports, with Austrian-made products in high demand globally due to their reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
To remain competitive, the manufacturing industry in Austria is undergoing a digital transition, with many companies adopting digital solutions and new technologies. This shift is creating new job roles and opportunities for workers with digital competencies, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity. The Austrian government and institutions like the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) also provide support and training programs to help workers upskill and adapt to the changing landscape of the manufacturing industry.
Tensions in Austria-Hungary: Complex Ethnic and Nationalistic Issues
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The service sector employs 69.04% of Austria's workforce.
In 2022, 19.7% of employees worked in wholesale and retail trade, vehicle repair, while 19.6% worked in manufacturing, 9.8% in construction, and 8.6% in accommodation and food service activities.
In 2021, 3.54% of employees in Austria worked in the agricultural sector.
In 2022, most employees worked in small enterprises, with 34.4% of employees working in large companies with more than 250 employees.























