Labour market information: Austria

There are 8 932 664 people living in Austria (as of 2021), and in the first quarters of 2021, 3 770 600 people were employed, including 677 500 foreign workers and 408 900 workers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland.

A total of 12.6% of Austrian workers commute to another province,
and 0.8% of workers commute abroad.

The 2020 coronavirus crisis did not only lead to a reduction in the overall labour force, but also to a significant decrease in the number of foreign workers, with EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals also being strongly affected. Overall, in 2021 there was a return to an increase in the number of people employed compared to the previous year.

In 2021, the labour market recovered significantly and unemployment fell significantly compared to 2020. An average of 331 741 people (down 77 898 compared to the previous year) were registered as unemployed with the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich, AMS) in 2021. In 2021, the unemployment rate stood at 8% according to the national calculation. According to the international definition, the (estimated) unemployment rate for 2021 was approximately 5%.

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) also decreased to 6.5% on average in 2021 (down 2.8% compared to the previous year). Over the same period, unemployment in Austria among the older generation (55+) stood at 10.6% and remained approximately the same compared with the previous year. The unemployment rate for foreign nationals (11.9%) is significantly higher than the Austrian average (8%), whereas the number of registered unemployed persons from the EU/EEA/Switzerland (8.3%) hardly differs from the unemployment rate in Austria as a whole.

The labour market recovery of the first three quarters of 2021 has surpassed even the most optimistic assessments. However, in the last quarter of 2021, Covid-19 overshadowed the outlook for the development of pandemic-sensitive sectors, in particular the tourism winter season 2021/2022.

Nevertheless, the potential for a continued recovery of the economy and the labour market in 2022 remains. In the medium term, the Austrian economy will grow faster over the next five years than in the last five-year period (which was marked by the massive declines in growth in 2020). Real GDP is set to grow by 1.9% per year on average by 2025.

By 2025, employment will increase in all regions of Austria. Initially, this increase will be concentrated more in male-dominated industries, but the services sector is also expected to recover in the medium term.

There will be an above-average increase in staff numbers in those regions that suffered above-average job losses in 2020 (Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg). Unemployment in the eastern region (Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland) will also fall within the next 5 years (3%).

On average in 2022, based on the low level of the previous year, staffing levels are also expected to increase in the accommodation and restaurant sector. There is also increasing demand for human resources in the health and social work sector and in other economic services (e.g. temporary employment). This development is supported by an increasing need for many companies to be able to respond as flexibly as possible to short-term fluctuations in utilisation with staff adjustments.

In 2022 or in the following years, the building sector is also expected to face increasing staffing needs. In the coming years, the growth momentum of export-orientated enterprises in the goods production sector will also increase. Job losses have to be expected in 2022 within the financial and insurance services sector, but also in transport and logistics.

While in the medium term there will be a reduction in unemployment among young people and people of prime working age, unemployment among people over the age of 50 is expected to increase by 2025. The reduction in unemployment by 2025 will include people at all levels of education. The situation will ease most markedly for those with low and intermediate educational attainment, where unemployment has increased massively due to the Covid-19 crisis. In the medium term, unemployment will decline among both domestic workers (-5.4%) and foreign workers (-4.3%).

In 2022, the number of people actively employed will increase less strongly (+ 52 100) than in the previous year, an increase of 1.4%.

The labour market recovery was also reflected in 2021 by a decrease in unemployment of 17.6% compared to 2020. A further decrease in the number of registered unemployed persons (-6%) is expected in 2022.

On average, labour supply increased by + 9 500 persons (+ 0.2%) in 2021 compared to 2020, and a further increase of 0.8% (+ 31 900 people) is expected in 2022.

The following qualifications and soft skills remain a prerequisite for entering the labour market:

The essential soft skills in almost all areas and sectors include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In healthcare, familiarity with medical information systems is important, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous. For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

The largest employers with the most employees include, among others, Rewe International AG (grocery stores and pharmacies, tourism), Spar österreichische Gruppe (food, drinks and tobacco), Strabag SE (construction), Voestalpine AG-Gruppe (metal), ÖBB Holding AG (passenger and goods transport), Signa Retail GmbH. Trenkwalder Group AG (management consulting and recruitment), Porsche Holding GmbH (cars and car dealerships), Swarovski AG Gruppe (crystal), Lower Austria Regional Health Agency (health), Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund (health), ams AG (electricals/electronics).

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Most jobs are to be filled by skilled workers (with vocational qualifications) and unskilled workers (in the construction sector, general unskilled labour, tourism, etc.).

As regards construction labourers and operators of goods handling equipment (with compulsory schooling certificate), electricians/electromechanical technicians (including those with higher levels of training), building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers and lathe operators, bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators, joiners and cabinet makers, pipe fitters, machine fitters, motor vehicle mechanics/technicians, industrial mechanics and welders, there is primarily a demand for skilled workers with professional experience (with a vocational qualification), particularly in Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria and Vienna.

Despite the Covid-19 crisis in 2021, there was demand for tourism and restaurant professionals, predominantly with a vocational qualification (restaurant chefs, waiters) and for auxiliary staff (assistant chefs, waiters, housekeeping staff, buffet and bar workers, restaurant chefs, pot washers, etc.) with a compulsory schooling certificate, managers (with a vocational qualification or higher qualification), especially in Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Styria and Carinthia, and in the tourist regions of the other provinces. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

Sales staff in the food sector, shop and entrance cashiers, other sales staff (with a compulsory schooling certificate and completed apprenticeships), sales representatives, advertising specialists and buyers (mostly with higher levels of training) are in demand, in particular in Vienna, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Styria. The number of part-time employees is still on the rise in wholesale and retail trade.

Goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers and packers, haulage contractors and drivers, and unskilled labourers (mainly unskilled staff, but also those with vocational qualifications) are mainly in demand in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria and Vienna. There are vacancies for cleaning staff in Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, Vienna and Carinthia in particular. Porters and public security staff (compulsory schooling certificate) are sought after in Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria.

In Vienna, Upper Austria and Lower Austria, hairdressers with vocational qualifications who are flexible and willing to learn are finding jobs. Qualified (medium and higher) and unqualified nursing staff (with compulsory, vocational and intermediate qualifications) and technical medical staff (especially in Lower Austria) are required in all provinces, but in particular in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Vienna and Styria.

Technical occupations are mainly looking for technicians with higher qualifications in the fields of data processing, construction, high-voltage/low-voltage systems, business and mechanical engineering, in particular in Upper Austria and Styria. Machine fitters with higher school qualifications are also finding jobs, mainly in Upper Austria and Lower Austria.

Vacancies for childcare workers (higher qualifications), welfare and social workers (with compulsory and intermediate qualifications), in particular for active business owners and directors (mostly with higher qualifications) and industrial and commercial specialists (with intermediate and higher qualifications), bookkeepers and office and auxiliary staff with intermediate or higher qualifications or vocational qualifications are mainly offered in Lower Austria, Vienna, Styria, Upper Austria and Vienna. Correspondence clerks with higher qualifications are mainly sought after in Vienna.

Vacancies are available for academically trained qualified engineers in the fields of mechanical engineering, construction, high-voltage/low-voltage systems, business and data processing (Upper Austria, Styria, Vienna, Lower Austria), and also for legal advisers and lawyers (Vienna and Upper Austria), advertising professionals (Vienna, Upper Austria, Styria), active business owners and directors and industrial and commercial professionals (Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria), accountants and other business advisers (Vienna), doctors (Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, Vienna) and other qualified medical technicians, as well as qualified nursing staff, welfare and social workers, and childcare workers (Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria) in the relevant provinces, and social scientists, economists and other academics, psychologists and teachers, particularly in Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria.

Most vacancies are advertised in the provinces of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria and Vienna.

As an annual average for 2021, most unemployed people are to be found among construction labourers, bricklayers, electricians/electromechanical technicians, painters and decorators, carpenters, pipe fitters, motor vehicle mechanics, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, machine fitters, other metal workers, machinists, operators of goods handling machines, earth-moving and construction vehicle operators, unskilled metal workers, industrial mechanics, joiners/cabinet makers, gardeners and gardening labourers, petrol pump attendants, engineers in the field of data processing, mechanical engineering, construction, low-voltage systems and communications technology, hairdressers as well as in tourism professions (hoteliers, managers, waiters, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, pot washers, buffet and bar staff, housekeeping staff, caretakers, porters and security guards, travel and tourism professionals) but also in particular in cleaning occupations, among unskilled labourers, in the field of depot/warehouse work, among goods sorters and packers, among haulage contractors and drivers, and shop and entrance cashiers.

Unemployment is particularly high in sales, but also among sales representatives, advertising specialists and consumer advisers.

There are also many skilled workers registered as unemployed among industrial and commercial professionals, office workers/administrative assistants, bookkeepers, correspondence clerks and secretaries, active business owners and directors as well as banking, savings and insurance specialists.

However, unqualified and qualified healthcare workers and nurses, welfare and social workers, childcare workers and people in exercise and sports professions are also affected by unemployment.

The highest levels of unemployment are among people with a compulsory schooling certificate as their highest level of education, followed by those with a vocational qualification.

By comparison, individuals with an intermediate school qualification and university graduates are the least affected by unemployment.

Unemployment is highest by far in Vienna, followed by Lower Austria, Styria and Upper Austria.

Available workers with an academic qualification can be found in the following categories: active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial professionals, bank, savings bank and insurance specialists, correspondence clerks, bookkeepers and office workers, salespersons, commercial agents, advertising specialists, business consultants, accountants, graphic designers, legal advisers and lawyers.

In the health care sector, medical professionals, unqualified healthcare personnel, pharmacists and pharmaceutical chemists as well as other medical technicians are looking for suitable vacancies.

Childcare workers, welfare and social workers, social scientists and economists and other academics, lecturers and teachers, philosophers and psychologists, writers and journalists, as well as artistic directors, directors, actors, stage and film operators and professionals in exercise and sports professions are available as workers. In the tourism and hospitality sector, university graduates are looking for vacancies as waiters, assistant chefs, restaurant chefs, porters and security guards, managers, hoteliers, and travel and tourism specialists. Architects and qualified engineers in data processing, construction, mechanical engineering and business are also available for the Austrian labour market.

Numerous university graduates with experience in the fields of cleaning, haulage, unskilled labour, goods sorting and packing, delivery of goods and depot and warehouse work are also registered as unemployed.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

This also affects people (e.g. in wholesale and retail trade, tourism) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are limited in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations.

There are 399 237 people living in Vorarlberg (as of 2021), who make up 5% of the total Austrian population.

Owing to its border with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany, Vorarlberg is a traditional commuter province. Only 2.2% of workers commute to another province but 8% commute to a neighbouring foreign country.

The coronavirus crisis actually led to an overall increase in the number of people in gainful employment in 2020, but to a decrease in the number of foreign workers, which also affected EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens.

The situation stabilised in the first three quarters of 2021: the number of people employed decreased slightly overall (180 400 people), while the number of foreign employees increased again compared to the previous year (37 900 people), which can also be seen among employed people from the EU/EEA and Switzerland (25 400 people).

In 2021, an average of 11 624 people were registered as unemployed (down 2 193 people compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate in 2021 was 6.5% (-1.2% compared to the previous year), which is below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) decreased again in 2021 compared to the previous year and in 2021 was only 5.7% (down 2% compared to the previous year), while the unemployment rate for older unemployed people (55+) was 8.1% (each calculated nationally) and was therefore below the Austrian average (10.6%).

Owing to the service-orientated economy of Vorarlberg, a slight annual average increase in employed people by +1 600 to around 164 500 can be expected in 2022. 2022 will see an annual average decrease in unemployment compared to the previous year of around 600 people. The labour supply will increase on average by +1000 people to 175 900 as an average over the year.

The Covid-19 restrictions affecting both supply and demand led to a slump in Vorarlberg’s economic performance in 2020. In 2021, the Vorarlberg economy recovered and will continue to recover in 2022.

For example, in 2021, on average, ‘Other service activities’ (+ 7.4%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 4.3%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 3.1%), ‘Construction’ (+ 3%), ‘Health and social work activities’ (+ 3%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation (+ 2.6%), ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (+ 2.4%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 2%), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 1.8%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 1.2%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’

(+ 0.2%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 0.2%), ‘Transport and storage’ (0%) were among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors in 2021 included ‘Water supply’ (-14.1%), ‘Households’ (-9.9%), real estate and housing activities (-5.5%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (-1.7%), ‘Mining’ (-1.3%), ‘Other services’ (-1.2%), ‘Information and communication’ (-0.6%).

In Vorarlberg, the proportion of professions requiring a vocational qualification or a technical college education is high compared to other provinces. Within the professions requiring vocational or technical college qualifications, much of the workforce is concentrated in service jobs and commercial jobs, and the remainder in manual and industrial occupations.

Jobs at a graduate level (requiring university or university of applied sciences qualifications) are showing fundamentally positive growth mainly in the technical and natural sciences sector and in the healthcare sector.

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In healthcare, familiarity with medical information systems is important, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous. For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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As an annual average for 2021, the largest number of vacancies were to be found in the regions of Bregenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch. Most of the positions were filled by people with a vocational qualification.

In the tourism sector, the number of nights spent in Vorarlberg decreased sharply in 2021 (-28%) compared to the previous year. In spite of this, there was seasonal demand (June to September and December to March) for skilled tourism and hospitality workers with a vocational qualification (restaurant chefs, waiters) and for unskilled workers (assistant chefs, waiters, cleaners, housekeeping staff, restaurant chefs, buffet and bar workers, pot washers) with a compulsory schooling certificate in the tourist regions, but especially in the Bregenz and Bludenz regions. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in these sectors.

Sales staff with a vocational qualification and also those with a compulsory schooling certificate and industrial and commercial professionals, active business owners (including those with intermediate, higher and academic qualifications) and hairdressers with vocational qualifications are in demand.

Haulage contractors and drivers, sorters and packers (compulsory schooling certificate and completed apprenticeships), depot and warehouse workers, porters and security guards, construction labourers and unskilled workers with a compulsory schooling certificate also find vacancies.

Electricians/electromechanical technicians, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers, lathe operators, pipe fitters, industrial mechanics, motor vehicle mechanics, painters and decorators, bricklayers, civil engineers, carpenters and joiners/cabinet makers mainly with a vocational qualification and professional experience or specialist know-how will find vacancies throughout Vorarlberg, especially in Bregenz.

In Vorarlberg in 2021, there were vacancies for qualified and non-qualified nursing staff and welfare/social workers with intermediate and higher levels of training. There were also vacancies for technicians with intermediate and higher technical college qualifications in the field of data processing.

Active business owners and directors with university degrees, IT experts with academic degrees and doctors and medical technicians, social workers and carers workers were sought after throughout Vorarlberg in 2021.

Overall, unemployment in Vorarlberg decreased in 2021 compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, due to the uncertain Covid-19 situation in 2021, many unemployed people have been registered in the tourism and hospitality sector (in particular waiters, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, housekeeping staff, pot washers, cleaners, managers). There are also many people registered as unemployed among goods sorters and packers, sales staff in commerce, advertising professionals, people in unskilled labour, depot and warehouse workers, among shop and entrance cashiers, among industrial and commercial specialists, haulage contractors and drivers, active business owners and directors, among people in office and administrative occupations, depot and warehouse staff, as well as among bricklayers, construction labourers, metal work labourers, industrial mechanics, electricians, spinning and weaving workers, operators of goods handling machines, painters and decorators, metalwork laborers, vehicle mechanics as well as in railway occupations and among hairdressers.

There is also unemployment among childcare workers and unqualified healthcare workers and nurses, as well as people in exercise and sports professions.

Amongst people with an academic degree, a particularly large number of active business owners, industrial and commercial professionals, skilled office workers, welfare and social workers, childcare workers, legal advisers and lawyers, architects and qualified data processing engineers are to be found. But there are also many unemployed university graduates among waiters, unskilled workers, goods sorters and packers, and sales staff in commerce.

In 2021, the highest proportion of total unemployment in Vorarlberg was in the regions of Bregenz, Feldkirch and Dornbirn. The highest levels of unemployment were among people with a compulsory schooling certificate or a vocational qualification as their highest level of education.

Overall, people who are registered as unemployed are, on the whole, often those with comparatively low-level qualifications, little professional experience, persons facing sometimes considerable obstacles to employment (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and those with a lack of specialist skills.

Also affected are people (e.g. in wholesale and retail trade and the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are limited in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare responsibilities.

Since 2020, unemployment has also increased among skilled workers in sectors such as tourism and trade (food being an exception), which have been particularly affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

There are 760 105 people living in Tyrol (as of 2021), who make up 9% of the total Austrian population.

A total of 4.3% of workers commute to another province, and 1% to a neighbouring foreign country.

The Covid-19 crisis led to a reduction in the overall labour force and a massive decrease in foreign workers in 2020, which also greatly affected EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals.

The situation slightly stabilised in the first three quarters of 2021: Nevertheless, fewer people were employed in 2021 than in the previous year (329 200 persons), including 61 100 foreign employees. However, the number of employed persons from the EU/EEA and Switzerland has increased again (45 800 persons).

In 2021, an average of 23 135 individuals (down 5 493 people compared to the previous year) were registered as unemployed. The unemployment rate in 2021 was 6.5% (-1.6%), still below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate decreased in 2021 compared to 2020. The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) was 5.5% in 2021 (down 2.2% compared to the previous year), and the unemployment rate for older people (55+) was 8%, which was lower than Austria as a whole (10.6%).

Due to the recovery of the labour market, a strong increase in the number of employed people by 5 800 people to around 329 600 people is expected for 2022. Unemployment in 2022 will, however, fall by an average of 7.6% compared to the previous year. The labour supply will increase on average by 3 900 people to 352 600 people over the year.

On average in 2021, the areas ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 5.4%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 4.9%), ‘Agriculture, forestry, fishing’ (+ 4%), ‘Construction’ (+ 3.4%), ‘Health and social work activities’ (+ 3%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 2.8%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 2.8%), ‘Real estate and housing activities’ (+ 2.2), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 2%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 1.8%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 1.6%), ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (+ 1.5%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 0.8%) and ‘Households’ (+ 0.4%) were among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (-2.8%), ‘Transport and storage’ (-1.3%), ‘Mining and quarrying’ (-0.7%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’

(-0.6%) and ‘Manufacture of goods’ (-0.4%).

The service-orientated economy in Tyrol, which is dependent on hospitality, experienced massive job losses in 2020. The situation eased in 2021, with stabilisation expected in the services sector in 2022.

The following qualifications and soft skills are required:

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In healthcare, familiarity with medical information systems is important, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous. For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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In 2020, due to the focus on tourism in Tyrol, there was a sharp drop in job vacancies, and in 2021 the situation in the tourism sector eased somewhat compared to the previous year, despite massive drops in overnight stays (-29%). Most vacancies are in the Innsbruck region, followed by Kufstein, Schwaz and Kitzbühel. Most vacancies will be filled by support staff and apprenticeship graduates.

Electricians, motor vehicle mechanics, joiners and cabinet makers, metal workers, pipe fitters, painters and decorators, carpenters, bricklayers, concrete workers but also construction labourers, crane operators, other metal workers, operators of goods handling machines (mainly skilled workers with professional experience and vocational qualifications, but also unskilled workers with compulsory school-leavers' certificates) are required, especially in Innsbruck and Kufstein.

There is seasonal demand (June to September and December to March) in the tourist regions (in particular Innsbruck) for skilled tourism and hospitality workers with a vocational qualification as well as intermediate and in some cases higher qualifications (restaurant chefs, waiters, managers), as well as unskilled workers (assistant chefs, restaurant chefs, waiters, housekeeping staff, pot washers, cleaners) with a compulsory schooling certificate.

In 2021, trading and sales staff, shop and entrance cashiers with compulsory schooling certificates or vocational qualifications (mainly in Innsbruck), haulage contractors and drivers (Innsbruck, Schwaz, Kufstein), depot and warehouse workers, goods sorters and packers, labourers with mainly compulsory schooling certificates, but also vocational qualifications (Innsbruck, Kufstein, Lienz, Schwaz) and hairdressers (especially in Innsbruck) were sought after. Active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial specialists, office staff with a vocational qualification but also intermediate and higher qualifications are needed in Innsbruck and Kufstein in particular. Similarly, unqualified and qualified healthcare personnel (with a compulsory schooling certificate or specialist training) are particularly sought after in the regions of Innsbruck and Kitzbühel. Social and welfare workers, but also caretakers and porters, find work in particular in Innsbruck.

Qualified health care workers and nurses, qualified medical technicians with an academic degree, graduate engineers in data processing and mechanical engineering (academic training) and active business owners with a tertiary degree are mainly sought after in Innsbruck.

In 2021, the number of persons registered as unemployed in Tyrol decreased compared to 2020, but there were still many registered unemployed persons, in particular in the tourism and hospitality sector, not least due to the uncertain COVID-19 situation. Potential workers can be found, in particular, among waiters, housekeeping staff, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, buffet and bar workers, pot washers, managers, caretakers, shop and entrance cashiers, etc. There is also high unemployment in the following sectors: ‘general unskilled work’, wholesale and retail trade, cleaning, office and administrative work, goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, haulage contractors and drivers, railway staff, construction labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians, pipe fitters, construction vehicle and machine operators, hairdressers and beauticians, unqualified nursing staff, childcare workers and among exercise and sports professionals.

However, unemployment is also high among industrial and commercial specialists, and especially among active business owners and directors.

Among university graduates, there are a particularly large number of active business owners, office and administrative specialists, industrial and commercial specialists, managers, waiters, advertising specialists, trade and retail specialists, architects, graduate engineers in data processing, lawyers and legal advisers, doctors and other medical technicians, welfare and social workers, childcare workers, other academics and graduate professionals in exercise and sports, and university graduates in the field of general unskilled labour, who are registered as jobseekers.

In 2021, the highest proportion of total unemployment in Tyrol by far was to be found in the Innsbruck area, followed by Kufstein, Schwaz and Landeck. The highest levels of unemployment are among people with a compulsory schooling certificate as their highest level of education, closely followed by those with a vocational qualification.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

This also affects people (e.g. in wholesale and retail trade, tourism) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are limited in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations.

There are 560 710 people living in Salzburg (as of 2021), who make up 6% of the total Austrian population.

A total of 7.3% of workers commute to other provinces and 1% mainly to neighbouring Germany.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 241 100 people were employed, of which 49 900 were foreign employees and 28 300 were employees from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. As a result, the number of employed persons slightly decreased compared to 2020, but the number of employees from the EU/EEA and Switzerland increased again compared to 2020.

A total of 15 130 people were registered as unemployed (down 4 957 people compared to the previous year). The average unemployment rate for the year was 5.6% (-1.7% compared to the previous year), which was below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) in 2021 in Salzburg was 5% (2.8% compared to the previous year), and the unemployment rate for older unemployed people (55+) was 6.8% (-2.2% compared to the previous year) (calculated nationally).

In 2022, due to the recovery of the economy, the number of employed people is expected to increase by 3 800 to 254 300. The number of registered unemployed workers will, however, decrease by an average of 9.5% in 2022 compared to 2021. The labour supply will also increase on average by 2 300 people to 268 600 people over the year.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Health and social work activities’ (+ 37.5%), ‘Households’ (+ 7%), ‘Construction’ (+ 5.7%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 5.5%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 5%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 4.7%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (+ 4.5) ‘Energy supply’ (+ 3.8%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 3.4%), ‘Mining’ (+ 3.2%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 1.5%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (+ 0.5%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 0.7%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 0.4%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 0.1%) among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (-14.5%), ‘Other service activities’ (-3%), ‘Transport and storage’ (-2.2%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-1.2%) and ‘Childcare and education’ (0.4%).

Jobs at a graduate level (requiring a university or university of applied sciences degree) and those typically requiring the Austrian Matura (secondary education certificate) are showing positive sustainable growth in the tourism and healthcare sectors. Overall, the level of qualification is rising in all sectors.

The following qualifications and soft skills are required:

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In the healthcare, social services, and childcare and education sectors, there is still predominantly a demand for graduate healthcare workers and nurses, as well as doctors, care workers for the elderly with specialist training, home carers, child minders and teachers, which is to say, overall, staffing in the areas of care, consulting, support and teaching. In healthcare professions, familiarity with medical information systems is important, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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As an annual average for 2021, the largest number of vacancies were to be found in the Salzburg metropolitan area, followed by Zell am See and Bischofshofen.

In the city of Salzburg, but also in Zell am See and Bischofshofen, there were vacancies for skilled workers with a vocational qualification, in particular bricklayers, roofers, carpenters, painters and decorators, metal workers, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, pavers and tilers, pipe fitters, industrial mechanics, motor vehicle mechanics, electricians, and joiners and cabinet makers.

In the construction industry, however, there are also vacancies for experienced workers in the fields of unskilled construction labour, welding and goods handling in Salzburg, Zell am See and Bischofshofen.

Despite strongly reduced demand in the tourism sector in 2021 (June to September and December to March), skilled workers with mainly vocational qualifications (restaurant chefs, waiters, managers, including with intermediate qualifications) as well as unskilled workers (assistant chefs, waiters, housekeeping staff, cleaners, buffet and bar staff, restaurant chefs, pot washers) with compulsory schooling certificates are needed in the tourist regions, especially in the city of Salzburg, Bischofshofen and Zell am See. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

Shop and entrance cashiers, messengers and office support staff (with mostly compulsory schooling certificates) are mainly employed in Salzburg.

In the city of Salzburg in particular, there are vacancies for sales staff, wholesale and retail traders, hair dressers, opticians (compulsory schooling certificates and vocational qualifications), IT technicians (including with intermediate and higher qualifications),industrial and commercial professionals, skilled office workers, bookkeepers and active business owners and directors (including with intermediate and higher qualifications).

Sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, haulage contractors and drivers and general auxiliary staff with compulsory schooling certificates are mainly sought after in the city of Salzburg, but also in Zell am See and Bischofshofen and occasionally in other districts.

Qualified and unqualified healthcare and nursing staff (with intermediate and higher levels of education) as well as childcare workers (with specialist training but predominantly with higher levels of education) can find vacancies in Salzburg, Zell am See and Bischofshofen.

Technical specialists with higher school qualifications are required in the field of mechanical engineering, construction and data processing in Salzburg.

Active business owners, IT specialists, doctors and other medical technicians, nursing staff and childcare workers and social scientists and economists with academic qualifications are predominantly in demand in the city of Salzburg, in Zell am See and in Bischofshofen.

Unemployment increased sharply in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak, but declined overall in 2021. However, in particular in the tourism sector, unemployment remained relatively high in 2021. This is partly due to a decrease of 31% in overnight stays compared to the previous year. As an annual average for 2021, unemployment was mainly recorded in the tourism and hospitality industry (hoteliers, managers, waiters, housekeeping staff, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, pot washers, buffet and bar staff), as well as among goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, wholesale and retail traders, railway staff, cleaners, in auxiliary professions, among caretakers and porters and among haulage contractors and drivers.

In the construction sector, unemployed unskilled and skilled workers can also be found among bricklayers, unskilled construction labourers, carpenters, painters and decorators.

People working in office and administrative professions, active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial specialists, hairdressers, professionals in exercise and sports and unqualified healthcare workers and nurses are also affected by higher levels of unemployment.

Higher unemployment can be found among university graduates, especially among active business owners and directors, childcare workers, advertising professionals, sales, industrial and commercial professionals, office occupations, welfare and social workers, teachers, other academics, university graduates in exercise and sports, but also graduates in accommodation and catering services (managers, waiters) and IT.

On average in 2021, the highest proportion of total unemployment by far was to be found in the Salzburg metropolitan area, followed by Zell am See and Bischofshofen. Most of those registered as unemployed have a compulsory schooling certificate or a vocational qualification as their highest qualification.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

Also affected are people (e.g. in wholesale and retail trade and the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are limited in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare responsibilities.

There are 562 089 people living in Carinthia (as of 2021), who make up 6% of the total Austrian population.

8.5% of the employed commute to other provinces (mainly Vienna, Styria and Tyrol) and less than 1% to neighbouring countries.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 221 600 people were employed, of which 25 500 were foreign employees and 18 700 EU/EEA nationals and Swiss nationals. Overall, employment of employed persons increased slightly in 2021 compared to the previous year, while the employment of employed persons from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland also increased again.

As an annual average, a total of 20 969 people were registered as unemployed in 2021 (down 5 780 people compared to the previous year). The average unemployment rate for 2021 was 8.8% (-2.5% compared to the previous year), which was above the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years of age) in 2021 was 6.1% (-3.4% compared to the previous year), and the unemployment rate for older unemployed people (55+) was 12.6% and was therefore above the Austrian average (10.6%).

Due to the recovery of the economy, an increase in the number of employed people in Carinthia by 2 500 people to around 214 200 people is expected for 2022. Unemployment will decrease by an average of 7.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. The labour supply will increase on average by 900 people to 234 100 people over the year.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 10.6%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 8.7%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 8.4%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 7%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 6.7%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (+ 6.3%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 5.9), ‘Construction’ (+ 5.4%), ‘Health and social work’ (+ 4.6%), ‘Households’ (+ 4.5%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 2.7%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 2.6%), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 2.2%) and ‘Mining’ (+ 1.4%) among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors in 2021 included ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-1.8%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (-1.8%), ‘Other service activities’ (-1.7%), ‘Transport and storage’ (-1.2%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste disposal’ (-0.4%), ‘Public administration, defence, social security’ (-0.1%).

In Carinthia, the proportion of professions requiring a vocational qualification or a technical college education is relatively high. Within the professions requiring vocational or technical college qualifications, half of the workforce is concentrated in service jobs, particularly in commercial jobs, and the remainder in manual and industrial occupations.

Jobs at a graduate level (requiring university or university of applied sciences qualifications) are showing positive long term growth in the tourism and healthcare sectors.

The essential soft skills include social and personal skills, in particular strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In the healthcare sector, important qualifications include a familiarity with medical information systems and experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous. The ability to work in a team, commitment and intercultural skills will improve cooperation.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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There are vacancies in Klagenfurt, Villach, Spittal, Wolfsberg and St. Veit an der Glan in the construction, metal work and electrical sectors (construction labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators, joiners and cabinet makers, metal workers, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, motor vehicle mechanics, pipe fitters, industrial mechanics, electricians/electromechanical technicians, mechanical engineers, lathe operators), predominantly with vocational qualifications.

In 2021, the largest number of vacancies were to be found in the Villach and Klagenfurt regions. Most jobs are to be filled by people with a vocational qualification and people with a compulsory schooling certificate.

Despite Covid-19-related restrictions, there was seasonal demand (June to September and November to March) for skilled tourism and hospitality workers, primarily with a vocational qualification (chefs, waiters) but also with no more than a compulsory schooling certificate (waiters, housekeeping staff, assistant chefs, cleaners, restaurant chefs, buffet and bar staff, pot washers) in Klagenfurt, Villach and Spittal an der Drau. Shop and entrance cashiers, public security staff (mainly in Klagenfurt and Villach) and forest workers were also sought after. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

There are vacancies in particular in Klagenfurt and Villach for wholesale and retail traders and sales staff (with a compulsory schooling certificate and a vocational qualification), unskilled labourers, haulage contractors and drivers, depot and warehouse workers, goods sorters and packers (predominantly with a compulsory schooling certificate). There is demand particularly in Klagenfurt and Villach for IT specialists (including university graduates), active business owners (including university graduates), industrial and commercial specialists, office and administrative professions, mechanical engineers and economic scientists (higher education) as well as qualified and unqualified healthcare and nursing staff with intermediate or higher levels of education and childcare workers.

Unemployed persons could be found on average in the construction, metal and electrical sectors in 2021, in particular among bricklayers, construction labourers, carpenters, painters and painters, civil engineers, machinists, electricians, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers, gardeners and gardening labourers. In addition, they included goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers and, in particular, unskilled labourers. Also affected were trading and sales staff, commercial agents, hairdressers and haulage contractors and drivers.

There is a particularly high number of registered unemployed in the hospitality sector, including cleaners, waiters, housekeeping staff, restaurant chefs and assistant chefs, pot washers, buffet and bar staff, caretakers, managers, hoteliers and restaurateurs. There is also high unemployment among active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial professionals and office and administrative workers. There are also unqualified nurses, exercise and sports professionals, welfare and social workers, childcare workers and bank, savings bank and private insurance professionals available across Carinthia.

Unemployment amongst people with a university degree is highest for waiters, managers, active business owners and directors, skilled office and administrative workers, other academics, industrial and commercial professionals, lawyers/legal advisers, social scientists and economists, childcare workers, philosophers and psychologists and teachers. However, there are also doctors, medical technicians and university graduates with technical training in business and data processing registered as looking for work. There are also university graduates looking for work among goods sorters and packers, unskilled labourers, in the wholesale and retail sector, and among advertising specialists and sales representatives. Writers and journalists, university graduates in exercise and sports, and welfare and social workers are also affected.

Most of those registered as unemployed have a vocational qualification or a compulsory schooling certificate as their highest qualification. Unemployment is highest in the Klagenfurt, Villach and Spittal an der Drau areas.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.

There are 1 247 077 people living in Styria (as of 2021), who make up 14% of the total Austrian population.

7.2% of workers commute to other provinces (mainly to Vienna), and fewer than 1% commute abroad.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 524 200 people were employed, of which 65 300 were foreign workers and 41 900 were employees from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. This means that more EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens were again employed than in 2020.

In 2021, an average of 37 179 people were registered as unemployed (down 10 732 people compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate in 2021 was 6.5% (-1.9% compared to the previous year), but was below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) in 2021 in Styria was 5.4% (-2.7% compared to the previous year), and the unemployment rate for older unemployed people (55+) was 9.7% and was therefore slightly below the Austrian average (10.6%).

An annual average increase in employed people by +6 600 to around 529 000 can be expected in Styria in 2022. Unemployment will decrease by an average of 7.2% in 2022 compared to 2021. The labour supply will increase on average by +3 900 people to 563 600 people over the year in 2022.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 12%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 8.7%), ‘Health and social work’ (+ 5.9%), ‘Construction’ (+ 5.4%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (+ 5.3%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 5.2%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 4.5%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (+ 4.3%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 3.4%), ‘Mining’ (+ 3.3%), ‘Households’ (+ 3.1%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 2.6%), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 2.4%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 2.4%), ‘Transport and storage’ (+ 0.9%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 0.8%) among job-creators.

Job-losing sectors in 2021 included ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (-9%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-2.2%), ‘Other services’ (-1.7%), ‘Public administration, defence, social security’ (-0.2%).

Positions at a graduate level (requiring a university or university of applied sciences degree) and those typically requiring the Austrian Matura (secondary education certificate) continue to be in long-term demand, mainly in the healthcare and social services sector (healthcare specialists, social and creative professions) but also in tourism professions.

The following qualifications and soft skills are required:

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In the healthcare sector, important qualifications include a familiarity with medical information systems and experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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In 2021, by far the most vacancies were offered in and around Graz, followed by Liezen, Leoben and Deutschlandsberg.

Despite a decline in the number of overnight stays compared to the previous year of -11%, there was demand for occupations in the tourism and hospitality sector with a vocational qualification or higher qualification (restaurant chefs, waiters, managers) and for auxiliary staff (assistant chefs, buffet and bar workers, housekeeping staff, waiters, shop and entrance cashiers, cleaners) with compulsory schooling certificates in Graz, Liezen and other tourist regions (Feldbach, Leibnitz, Hartberg). In Graz and Leoben there was increased demand for porters and security guards and for public security staff (with higher training) in Leoben and security personnel in Feldbach and Leibnitz. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

Building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers, lathe operators, electrical fitters/electromechanical technicians (including unskilled workers), motor vehicle mechanics, pipe fitters (including unskilled workers), welders (including unskilled workers), industrial mechanics, but also bricklayers, carpenters, roofers, pavers and tilers, painters and decorators, and joiners and cabinet makers (with vocational qualification) as well as construction labourers and operators of goods handling machines (with compulsory school-leavers' certificates) are mainly needed in Graz, but also in Deutschlandsberg, Leibnitz, Hartberg, Bruck an der Mur, Leoben and Jugendburg.

There were vacancies for hairdressers (with a vocational qualification) mainly in Graz and the surrounding area.

Sales staff and wholesale and retail traders (with and without a vocational qualification), sales representatives, advertising professionals, engineers in mechanics, business, high-voltage systems, construction and data processing with a vocational qualification are in particular demand in and around Graz.

Goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, unskilled labourers and haulage contractors and drivers with a compulsory schooling certificate, and also a vocational qualification, are predominantly in demand in Graz and the surrounding area as well as in Gleisdorf, Leoben and Liezen.

In 2021, active business owners and directors, bookkeepers, office and administrative professionals, depot and storage specialists, as well as industrial and commercial specialists with a vocational qualification, but also with higher education, and childcare workers with higher qualifications, were particularly sought after for the Graz area.

Qualified healthcare and nursing staff (intermediate schools and higher qualifications) and unqualified care staff (with intermediate vocational school certificates or a vocational qualification) as well as welfare and social workers (intermediate qualifications) are finding work mainly in the Graz area but also in Leoben and Liezen.

Among university graduates, specialists in mechanical engineering, high/low-voltage systems and communications technology, as well as data processing, active business owners in the Graz and Leoben area and doctors, nurses, welfare and childcare workers (Graz and Liezen) are particularly in demand.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a high number of unemployed people are recorded in the tourism and hospitality industry (hoteliers and restaurateurs, managers, waiters, cleaners, assistant chefs, restaurant chefs, housekeeping staff, buffet and bar staff, laundry attendants), among goods sorters and packers, in the wholesale and retail trade (sales), among unskilled labourers, depot and warehouse workers, porters, haulage contractors and drivers and among

construction labourers and operators of goods handling equipment.

There were also registered unemployed among gardeners and gardening labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, salespersons and sales representatives and hairdressers with vocational training. There is also relatively high unemployment among industrial and commercial professionals and among active business owners and directors, skilled office workers, unqualified healthcare professionals, welfare and social workers as well as childcare workers with a vocational qualification or intermediate and higher school qualification as well as among people in exercise and sports professions.

In graduate professions, the available workforce consists in particular of architects, legal advisers and lawyers, qualified engineers in the fields of data processing, business, mechanical engineering and construction, advertising specialists, active business owners and directors, management consultants, people in office professions, bookkeepers, industrial and commercial professionals, social scientists and economists, psychologists/philosophers, geo-physicians, historians, writers and journalists, welfare and social workers, teachers, childcare workers, university lecturers but also doctors, pharmacists and chemists and other medical personnel professionals. There are also people with a university degree registered as unemployed in the wholesale and retail trade sector and in the field of unskilled labour and among goods sorters and packers as well as depot and warehouse workers and cleaners, and in the tourism sector (e.g. waiters, managers, hoteliers).

By far the highest unemployment levels are in Graz and the surrounding area, followed by Leibnitz, Hartberg and Liezen.

The highest levels of unemployment are among people with a compulsory schooling certificate as their highest level of education, followed by those with a vocational qualification.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.

There are 296 010 people living in Burgenland (as of 2021), who make up 3% of the total Austrian population.

In Burgenland, 37.5% of workers commute to neighbouring provinces (mainly Vienna, Lower Austria and Styria) and fewer than 1% commute to neighbouring foreign countries.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 120 400 people were employed, of which 12 100 were foreign workers and 9 800 were workers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. As a result, the total number of employed persons increased again compared to 2020.

In 2021, an average of 9 080 people were registered as unemployed (down 1 869 compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate in 2021 was 7.7% (-1.7% compared to the previous year) and was therefore just below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (up to 25 years old) in 2021 was 5.8% (-3.2% compared to the previous year), and the unemployment rate for older unemployed persons (55+) was 12.9%, above the average in the whole of Austria (10.6%).

An average increase in employed people by +1 300 to around 107 700 people can be expected in Burgenland in 2022. Unemployment will fall slightly on average in 2022 compared to 2021 (-5.4%). The labour supply will increase on average by +800 people to 116 400 people over the year in 2022.

On average in 2021, the areas of ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 23.2%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 9.6%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 9.2%), ‘Construction’ (+ 6.8%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 5.7%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 5.3%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 4.7%), ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’ (+ 4.7%), ‘Transport and storage ’ (+ 4.7%), ‘Health and social work activities’ (+ 4%), ‘Public administration, defence, social security’ (+ 2.2%), ‘Households’ (+ 2%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 2%), ‘Other service activities’ (+ 1.5%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 1.4%), ‘Mining and quarrying’ (+ 0.3%) were among those to create jobs.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Energy supply’ (-46.4%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-5.5%), ‘Information and communication’

(-1%) and ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (-0.5%).

The essential soft skills include social and personal skills, in particular strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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Demand for tourism and hospitality professionals increased again in 2021 compared to the previous year. This is also due to a 10% increase in the number of nights spent compared to the previous year. Sought after are specialists with mainly vocational qualifications (restaurant chefs, waiters) and compulsory schooling certificates (cleaners, assistant chefs) in Neusiedl am See and Oberwart. Cleaning staff outside the tourism sector are mainly sought after in Eisenstadt.

Similarly, electricians, carpenters, roofers, pavers and tilers, bricklayers, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers, pipe fitters, heating and ventilation fitters, painters and decorators, joiners and cabinet makers, motor vehicle mechanics with vocational qualifications but also unskilled workers (construction labourers, gardening workers, operators of goods handling machines) are mainly sought after in Mattersburg, Oberpullendorf and Oberwart.

Retailers, sales staff, sales representatives, hairdressers (with compulsory school-leavers’ qualifications and apprenticeships) and shop and entrance cashiers (compulsory school-leavers’ qualifications) and insurance intermediaries find vacancies throughout Burgenland. Haulage contractors and drivers, sorters and packers, depots and warehouse workers and unskilled workers find work in all districts.

Unqualified and qualified healthcare and nursing staff (with an intermediate qualification) are sought after in Eisenstadt.

In 2021, public security staff, porters and security guards were sought after in particular in Stegersbach, Eisenstadt and Oberwart.

Throughout Burgenland, only a few university graduates were requested via the AMS (e.g. doctors in Oberpullendorf).

Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

The highest average levels of unemployment in 2021 were recorded among sales staff, unskilled labourers, office and administrative assistants, goods sorters and packers, cleaners, active business owners, industrial and commercial professionals, depot and warehouse workers and haulage contractors.

Especially outside the season, there are many registered unemployed persons among bricklayers, construction labourers, carpenters, painters and decorators, pipe fitters, electricians, gardeners and gardening workers, but also in the hotel and restaurant sector, in particular among waiters, restaurant chefs and assistant chefs. Vehicle mechanics, hairdressers, unqualified nurses, welfare and social workers as well as childcare workers are also frequently affected by unemployment.

A small number of registered unemployed persons can be found among active business owners, industrial and commercial specialists, office and administrative professions, welfare and social workers, among childcare workers, advertising professionals, other academics and among persons in commerce and sales.

The highest levels of unemployment are among people with a vocational qualification and those with a compulsory schooling certificate as their highest level of education. The highest numbers of registered unemployed are to be found in the Oberwart, Neusiedl am See, Eisenstadt and Mattersburg areas.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.

There are 1 495 608 people living in Upper Austria (as of 2021), who make up 17% of the total Austrian population.

A total of 6.5% of workers commute to other provinces (mainly Salzburg and Vienna) and 1% commute abroad.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 665 800 were employed, 97 800 of whom were foreign employees and 56 100 were workers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. As a result, the number of employees increased again compared to the previous year.

In 2021, an average of 35 960 people were registered as unemployed (down 10 599 people compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate in 2021 was 5% (-1.5% compared to the previous year) and was therefore significantly below the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (under 25 years old) was 4.5%

(-2.1% compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate of older unemployed persons (55+) was 7%, below the Austrian average (10.6%) for this age group.

Owing to the importance of the industrial sector, an annual average increase in employees by +8 400 to around 675 200 can be expected in Upper Austria in 2022. Unemployment will decrease by an average of 6.9% in 2022 compared to 2021. The labour supply will increase on average by +5 900 people to 709 000 people over the year.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Other service activities’ (+ 10.1%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 8.2%), ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (+ 6.3%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 5%), ‘Construction’ (+ 4.8%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 3.9%), ‘Health and social work’ (+ 3.2%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (+ 2.8%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 2.6%), ‘Mining’ (+ 2.1%), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 2%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 2%), ‘Transport and storage’ (+ 1.4%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (+ 0.3%) and ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 0.1%) among job-creators.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Childcare and education’ (-26.8%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (-3.2%), ‘Households’ (-2.3%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-1.6%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (-0.1%).

Since the dominant sector is the goods manufacturing industry, the employment share of technicians educated up to the level of the Austrian Matura (secondary education certificate) and technicians with academic degrees is disproportionately high. Compared to other provinces, there is therefore a high demand for workers in industry and manual work.

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In healthcare, familiarity with medical information systems is an important qualification, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the most important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration and good communication skills.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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As an annual average for 2021, the most vacancies were advertised in Linz, Wels, Traun and Vöcklabruck. The greatest demand for labour was in occupations with vocational qualifications and in occupations that expect a compulsory schooling certificate as the highest level of education. Compared to other provinces, there were significantly more vacancies in metal and electrical professions and advanced technical occupations.

In 2021, the number of overnight stays in the tourism sector increased by 5% compared to the previous year. In Linz, Gmunden, Vöcklabruck and other tourist regions, there is demand for skilled tourism and hospitality workers with the relevant training (restaurant chefs and waiters) and for unskilled workers (assistant chefs, waiters, buffet and bar staff, restaurant chefs, cleaners (Linz), shop and entrance cashiers (Linz and Traun)) with a compulsory schooling certificate. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

Electricians/electromechanical technicians (Linz, Wels, Traun) with a vocational qualification but also higher education, machine fitters, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers (including with higher education) lathe operators, tool makers, cutters and pressers, pipe fitters, welders, vehicle mechanics, industrial mechanics, joiners and cabinet makers, plastics processors (Braunau) and bricklayers (mainly in Linz, Wels, Braunau) with compulsory schooling certificates and vocational qualifications, carpenters, varnishers, painters and decorators, but also metal auxiliary workers (Braunau, Ried, Grieskirchen): Demand is primarily for skilled workers with professional experience (mainly with vocational qualifications but also with intermediate and higher qualifications), but there is also demand for unskilled workers (welders, construction labourers, operators of goods handling equipment, earth-moving and construction vehicle operators, machinists), especially in Linz, Wels and Braunau.

There are vacancies for goods sorters and packers, depot/warehouse workers, haulage contractors and drivers and unskilled labourers (primarily with a compulsory schooling certificate but also a vocational qualification), mainly in Braunau, Linz, Vöcklabruck, Wels and Traun.

Wholesale and retail traders (sales staff, sales representatives, advertising professionals, etc.) with a compulsory schooling certificate and vocational qualifications, but also a higher level of education, are in demand across Upper Austria. There is demand for hairdressers (with a vocational qualification), particularly in Linz.

Unqualified and qualified health care workers and nurses (also with intermediate and higher vocational qualifications), welfare and social workers (including with higher levels of education) and childcare workers (with higher levels of education) are also in demand (e.g. Linz, Braunau, Ried), as are active business owners and directors and industrial and commercial employees (particularly with higher levels of training, e.g. in Linz, Wels, Traun). People in office administration occupations and bookkeepers are able to find work throughout all of Upper Austria.

Graduates from higher-level technical colleges or technical university courses with a focus on mechanical engineering, data processing, business and high-voltage systems are needed in Linz, Wels and other industrial regions.

For occupations requiring an academic level of education, there are vacancies available for active business owners and directors, doctors (particularly in Traun and Linz) and medical technicians, welfare and social workers, childcare workers and social scientists and economists.

In 2021, a high level of unemployment was recorded among unskilled labourers (compulsory schooling certificate, vocational qualification, intermediate and higher levels of training, but also graduates), in the tourism and hospitality trade (waiters, including those with higher levels of training and those with a university degree, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, buffet and bar staff, housekeeping staff, managers, hoteliers, etc.), and on a seasonal basis also in the construction trade (among bricklayers, construction labourers, operators of goods handling equipment, iron workers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians, joiners and cabinet makers), among hairdressers and vehicle mechanics and in the wholesale and retail trade (sales staff, sales representatives, advertising specialists, etc.), but also among unskilled metal workers, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, other metal workers, industrial mechanics, pipe fitters, machinists, engineers in the field of construction, mechanical engineering and data processing (also with higher education), cleaners, childcare workers (intermediate and higher training), welfare and social workers, goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, industrial and commercial professionals, haulage contractors and drivers, petrol pump attendants, office and administrative professions and active business owners and directors. Unemployment is also relatively high among unqualified nursing staff and qualified nursing staff, including those with intermediate and higher levels of training.

In graduate professions, workers who are available on the labour market include active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial professionals, office and administrative workers, depot and warehouse workers, management consultants, legal advisers and lawyers, graphic designers, architects, qualified engineers for construction, economics and data processing, social scientists and economists, other academics, welfare and social workers, childcare workers, teachers, doctors and medical technicians. Many goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, unskilled labourers, wholesale and retail traders and sales staff are also among those with an academic degree who are seeking work. Due to coronavirus, managers, waiters and hoteliers in the tourism sector were also more exposed to unemployment than in previous years.

The highest levels of unemployment were among people with a compulsory schooling certificate or a vocational qualification as their highest level of education. In 2021, the regions with the highest unemployment were Linz, Wels, Traun and Steyr.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.

There are 1 690 879 people living in Lower Austria (as of 2021), who make up 19% of the total Austrian population.

A total of 28.6% of workers commute to other provinces (especially Vienna) and fewer than 1% commute abroad.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 715 200 people were employed, of which 79 500 were foreign workers and 46 500 workers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. As a result, there was again an increase in the number of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals employed in 2021.

In 2021, an average of 51 984 people were registered as unemployed (down 12 955 compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate was 7.5% (down 1.9%), slightly below the Austrian average (8%).

Youth unemployment (up to 25 years old) stood at 5.6% in 2021 (-2.8% compared to the previous year), while unemployment among older people (55+) stood at 11.7% and was therefore higher than the Austrian average (10.6%).

Owing to its service-orientated economy, an annual average increase in employees by +9 100 to around 633 600 can be expected in Lower Austria in 2022. Unemployment decreased by 5.3% compared to 2021. The labour supply will increase on average by +6 300 people to 683 300 people over the year, however.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 8%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (+ 7.8%), ‘Construction’ (+ 6.2%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical services’ (+ 5.8%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 5.6%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 4.2%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 4%), ‘Agriculture and forestry’ (+ 3.2%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 2.9%), ‘Health and social work’ (+ 2.8%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (+ 1.9%) ‘Energy supply’ (+ 1.3%), ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (+ 1.3%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (+ 0.2%) among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Mining’ (-16.8%), ‘Households’ (-4.5%), ‘Transport and storage’ (-3.5%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-2.6%), ‘Other service activities’ (-1.2%) and ‘Information and communication’ (-0.3%).

Most jobs in Lower Austria require a vocational qualification. Overall, the level of qualification is rising in all sectors.

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In the healthcare and social services sector, important qualifications include a familiarity with medical information systems and experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care, depending on the field of employment. In addition to psychological skills, the most important qualities required are intercultural skills, the ability to cope with frustration, good communication skills and a willingness to learn.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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As an annual average, the most vacancies were advertised in St. Pölten, Mödling, Amstetten and Wiener Neustadt in 2021. Most positions required a vocational qualification and a compulsory schooling certificate.

Tourism in Lower Austria recovered in 2021, with a 9% increase in overnight stays. There is therefore a renewed demand for tourism and hospitality professionals with a vocational qualification (restaurant chefs, waiters) and auxiliaries (assistant chefs, cleaners, waiters, buffet and bar staff) with a compulsory schooling certificate, mainly in St. Pölten or in tourist regions such as Krems, Neunkirchen, Mistelbach, but also in Wiener Neustadt. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable in this sector.

In the construction and metal/electrical sectors, it is mainly specialists (vocational qualification) that are sought after for the professions of electrician/electromechanical technician, industrial mechanic, pipe fitter, building fitters, sheet metal workers and structural fitters, machine workers and other metal workers, welders, lathe operators and vehicle engineers. In the field of construction there is demand for bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators, construction labourers (Krems, Lilienfeld, Wiener Neustadt) and operators of goods handling equipment but also for joiners and cabinet makers; in the field of agriculture, harvest workers are required in Melk (viticulture) and Gänserndorf (asparagus). The most vacancies are found in St. Pölten.

Vacancies for sales staff and wholesale/retail traders, shop and entrance cashiers, sales representatives, advertising professionals (people with a compulsory schooling certificate, skilled workers with vocational training or intermediate or higher levels of training) are concentrated in larger towns such as St. Pölten, Amstetten, Mödling and Baden.

Goods sorters and packers, haulage contractors and drivers, depot and warehouse workers (mainly people with a compulsory schooling certificate, but also with vocational qualifications) and unskilled workers are sought after across Lower Austria.

Qualified nurses (with intermediate and higher levels of education) and unqualified nurses (compulsory schooling certificate, intermediate training), welfare and social workers and medical technicians (intermediate training) are sought after in several districts in Lower Austria.

Security staff find vacancies in Melk and Wiener Neustadt, and insurance intermediaries and hairdressers with a vocational qualification throughout Lower Austria.

In 2021, technicians with a vocational qualification and higher education are being employed as engineers in the fields of construction, mechanical engineering, high-voltage systems and data processing, in particular in Mödling. Active business owners, industrial and commercial professionals, bookkeepers (mostly with higher education), skilled office workers and depot and warehouse workers find jobs throughout Lower Austria.

People with a university degree in technical professions (in particular in mechanical engineering, high-voltage systems and data processing) and active business owners (Mödling), doctors, qualified care workers and other medical technicians, childcare workers, other academics and social scientists and economists are sought after across Lower Austria.

In 2021, a high level of unemployment was recorded in auxiliary professions, in the tourism and hospitality trade (waiters, including those with higher levels of training, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, hoteliers/restaurateurs, managers, buffet and bar staff, housekeeping staff, etc.), and on a seasonal basis also among gardeners and gardening workers, in the construction trade (particularly among bricklayers, construction labourers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians, joiners and cabinet makers) but also among metal workers, metalwork labourers, pipe fitters, vehicle technicians, hairdressers and in wholesale and retail trade (sales staff, sales representatives, advertising professionals, shop and entrance cashiers, porters, etc.), among cleaners, childcare workers, welfare and social workers, goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, unskilled labourers, haulage contractors and drivers, industrial and commercial professionals, office and administrative workers, among correspondence clerks and secretaries, banking, savings banks and private insurance specialists, insurance specialists, active business owners and directors, data processing engineers. Unemployment is also relatively high among unqualified and qualified nursing staff, including those with intermediate and higher levels of training.

In graduate professions, workers who are available on the labour market include active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial professionals, bank, savings bank and private insurance professionals, office and administrative workers, legal advisers and lawyers, qualified engineers in data processing, business consultants, other academics, childcare workers, welfare and social workers, but also teachers, doctors and medical technicians, writers and journalists. There are also numerous job-seeking university graduates among goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, unskilled labourers, wholesale and retail assistants, sales staff, advertising professionals, cleaners and waiters.

The highest levels of unemployment were among people with a compulsory schooling certificate or a vocational qualification as their highest level of education. The St. Pölten, Wiener Neustadt and Baden regions are particularly affected by unemployment.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological constraints, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a longer period.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.

There are 1 920 949 people living in Vienna (as of 2021), who make up 21% of the total Austrian population.

11.6% of workers commute to neighbouring provinces and fewer than 1% commute abroad.

In the first three quarters of 2021, 772 700 people were employed, of which 248 300 were foreign workers and 136 400 were workers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. As a result, the number of employed persons again increased significantly compared to 2020.

In 2021, an average of 126 680 people were registered as unemployed (down 23 021 people compared to the previous year). In 2021, the unemployment rate was 12.7% (-2.4%), which was far higher than the Austrian average (8%).

The unemployment rate for young people (under 25 years old) in Vienna was high compared to the Austrian average (6.5%) and stood at 11.4% (-3.7% compared to the previous year). The unemployment rate of older unemployed persons (55+) was 14.8% and was significantly higher than the Austrian average (10.6%).

A significant annual average increase in employed people by +13 000 to around 869 600 people can be expected in Vienna in 2022. Unemployment will decrease by an average of 4.8% in 2022. The labour supply will increase by +6 800 people to 991 300 people in 2022.

The annual average for 2021 included ‘Health and social work’ (+ 7.3%), ‘Childcare and education’ (+ 7.1%), ‘Other economic service activities’ (6.9%), ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ (+ 5.3%), ‘Construction’ (+ 5%), ‘Information and communication’ (+ 4.2%), ‘Accommodation and catering’ (+ 2.9%), ‘Transport and storage’ (+ 2.4%), ‘Trade, servicing and repair of motor vehicles’ (+ 2.2%), ‘Households’ (+ 1.8%), ‘Art, entertainment and recreation’ (+ 1.8%), ‘Energy supply’ (+ 1.6%), ‘Real estate and housing’ (+ 1.3%) and ‘Public administration, defence and social security’ (+ 1.2%) among the job-creators.

Job-losing sectors included ‘Mining’ (-11%), ‘Water supply, sewerage and waste management’ (-2.9%), ‘Other service activities’ (-0.6%), ‘Manufacture of goods’ (-0.5%), ‘Financial and insurance activities’ (-0.4%) and ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’ (-0.2%).

Overall, demand for labour in Vienna is declining for occupations requiring intermediate and lower qualifications, i.e. occupations that usually require a vocational qualification or training at a technical college, or occupations that can be learned on the job; demand for more highly qualified occupations is relatively high compared to other provinces.

The essential soft skills in almost all areas include social and personal skills such as strong communication, customer focus, flexibility, ability to handle stress, a willingness to learn and intercultural skills (working in international teams), as well as excellent knowledge of English and other languages.

In healthcare, familiarity with medical information systems is important, as is experience with quality management, project management, and health promotion and care. In addition to psychological expertise, the important qualities required are the ability to cope with frustration, good communication skills and a willingness to learn.

For the electronics/electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology and machine/automotive/metal sectors, expertise in operating systems, use of computer systems, business management, energy and process engineering, quality management, etc. are essential.

In the construction and timber sector, expertise in the areas of building renovation, waste management, waste disposal and specific IT skills are advantageous.

For the office, business, financial and legal sectors, additional technical knowledge is beneficial, as are business management, SAP and e-business skills.

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Most jobs will be filled by unskilled workers (with a compulsory schooling certificate) and skilled workers (with vocational qualifications).

Demand for skilled workers in the tourism sector also increased in 2021 due to an increase in overnight stays of 9% compared to the previous year. There is a need for skilled tourism and hospitality workers, primarily with a vocational qualification, but also with intermediate and higher levels of training (restaurant chefs, waiters) and for unskilled workers (waiters, buffet and bar staff, housekeeping staff, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, porters and security staff) with a compulsory schooling certificate. Relevant professional experience and flexibility are required or preferable for all vacancies in this sector.

Demand exists for wholesale/retail traders and sales staff, particularly in the area of non-essential food and foodstuffs, shop and entrance cashiers and public security staff. The number of part-time employees is still on the rise in wholesale and retail trade.

Haulage contractors and drivers, depot and warehouse workers, cleaners and unskilled labourers (mainly with a compulsory schooling certificate) are in demand throughout Vienna.

There are vacancies for hairdressers, but also pipe fitters, electricians, painters and decorators, carpenters, bricklayers with vocational qualifications, construction labourers with a compulsory schooling certificate, industrial and commercial professionals and active business owners and directors (including with higher qualifications), technicians in the field of data processing, mechanical engineering, construction, etc. with vocational qualifications but also with higher qualifications.

There are vacancies throughout Vienna for qualified and unqualified nurses (with a compulsory schooling qualification and intermediate and higher qualifications), welfare and social workers as well as childcare workers with intermediate or higher education and corresponding qualifications as well as soft skills.

In the graduate field, there is primarily demand for qualified engineers in the field of data processing, social scientists and economists, legal advisers and lawyers, accountants, active business owners and directors, but also doctors, nursing staff, welfare and social workers, and teachers.

In 2021, the highest level of unemployment was recorded among bricklayers, construction labourers (including with higher levels of qualifications), electricians/electromechanical technicians, pipe fitters, painters and decorators, carpenters, plasterers, iron workers, industrial mechanics but also among porters and security guards, among sales staff and wholesale/retail traders, advertising professionals, consumer advisers (with higher qualifications), among goods sorters/packers, depot/warehouse workers, haulage contractors and drivers, among unskilled labourers, cleaners, shop and entrance cashiers, IT professionals, construction technicians, mechanical engineers, low-voltage systems (with higher levels of training), active business owners/directors, industrial and commercial professionals, office and administrative workers, unqualified nurses and healthcare professionals, welfare/social workers, childcare workers and hairdressers. In the tourist trade, the unemployment rate is highest among waiters, restaurant chefs, assistant chefs, buffet and bar staff, housekeeping staff and pot washers, but also managers and hoteliers (with higher qualifications).

Workers with an academic qualification who are affected by unemployment can be found particularly in the following categories: unskilled labourers, sales staff but also customer advisers, wholesale/retail traders, advertising professionals, goods sorters and packers, depot and warehouse workers, haulage contractors and drivers, travel and tourism specialists, waiters, assistant chefs, managers, restaurant chefs, cleaners, porters and security staff and also architects, qualified engineers in the fields of data processing, business and construction, graphic designers, legal advisers and lawyers, other management consultants, active business owners and directors, industrial and commercial professionals, bookkeepers, office and administrative assistants, bank, savings bank and insurance professionals, correspondence clerks, other academics, social scientists and economists, philosophers and psychologists, writers and journalists, actors, directors, artistic directors, people in exercise and sports professions, welfare and social workers, childcare workers, teachers, lecturers, but also doctors, other medical technicians and unqualified nursing staff.

The level of unemployment among people with a compulsory schooling certificate is twice as high as those with a vocational qualification.

In addition to the special situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, which has also created unemployment among qualified skilled workers in some sectors, people with a rather low level of skills, little work experience and considerable restrictions on placement (lack of soft skills, social problems, physical or psychological limitations, etc.) and lack of specialised knowledge have a particularly high risk of being unemployed for a long time.

People (e.g. in the wholesale or retail trade, in the tourism sector) who, in addition to lacking qualifications, are also restricted in their mobility and flexibility, for example due to childcare obligations, find it difficult to secure a suitable job.