Austria: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Austria?

Austria's unemployment rate was 5.7% in the second quarter of 2026 on the international (ILO) definition, according to the Statistik Austria labour force survey. That was 272,100 people, down from 6.3% in the first quarter. The rate was 6.2% for men and 5.2% for women.

The ILO rate comes from a household survey and counts people who have no work, are looking for it and can start soon. It is the measure used to compare EU countries. The AMS publishes a separate national rate based on people registered as unemployed, which is higher; both are official figures, measured in different ways.

Official sources: Statistik Austria labour force survey

How many people are registered unemployed with the AMS?

At the end of September 2026, 306,624 people were registered unemployed with the Arbeitsmarktservice, 2.5% more than a year earlier, according to the AMS monthly overview. Including people in AMS training, the total was 381,159. The national unemployment rate was 7.1%.

The national rate divides registered unemployed people by the labour force of employees plus the unemployed, so it differs from the ILO survey rate published by Statistik Austria. People in AMS training courses are counted separately and not included in the rate. The AMS publishes these figures at the start of each month for the previous month, with breakdowns by province, age and sector.

Official sources: AMS monthly overview

Does Austria have a minimum wage?

Austria has no statutory minimum wage. Minimum pay is set in collective agreements negotiated for each sector. The collective-agreement wage index (Tariflohnindex) rose 3.9% in 2025, to 139.6 (2016 = 100), according to Statistik Austria.

The index tracks the minimum wages and salaries set in collective agreements, not the pay people actually receive, which can be higher. Because almost all employees are covered by a collective agreement, it is the official measure of how agreed minimum pay changes from year to year. Statistik Austria publishes it monthly, with annual averages and breakdowns by sector and by blue- and white-collar staff.

Official sources: Statistik Austria

How many people work in Austria?

4,499,500 people aged 15 to 89 were in employment in Austria in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Statistik Austria labour force survey. 32.1% of them worked part time, including 51.1% of employed women.

The survey counts anyone who did at least one hour of paid work in the reference week, so it includes the self-employed and people in marginal jobs. The AMS counts about 4,007,000 employees for September 2026 in its monthly overview, a figure based on social-insurance registrations. The two totals differ because they cover different groups and are measured differently.

Official sources: Statistik Austria labour force survey · monthly overview

How much do workers in Austria earn on average?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Austria at $6,155 a month in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $3,252 a month, and Austria placed 7th highest of 32. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 8th highest.

How high is unemployment in Austria?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 5.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.2% (2008) to 6.5% (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Austria placed 23rd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 73rd highest.

How many young people in Austria are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Austria at 11.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 8.7% (2008) to 12.0% (2021). Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Austria is 32nd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 95th of 174.

How many people in Austria are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Austria was 60.1%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 58.1% (2005) to 60.9% (2018). Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Austria is 25th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 101st of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Austria?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Austria was 55.1%, according to the ILO. The peak was 55.8% in 2023 and the low 50.9% in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and Austria placed 23rd highest of 47. Worldwide: 79th of 174.

How many people in Austria are employed?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Austria was 56.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 58.1%; its low point was 2005, at 54.8%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Austria placed 23rd highest of 47. Worldwide: 95th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Austria?

7.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Austria for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Austria placed 36th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

What share of workers in Austria earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Austria at 87.8% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 13th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Worldwide: 24th of 174.