A major labour shortage in Austria has left nearly 200,000 job vacancies unfilled in the first quarter of 2024, according to Statistics Austria.
The country’s official statistics agency reported an average of 196,400 vacancies, marking an 8.5% increase from the previous quarter, which saw 181,000 vacancies. This increase is the first recorded in a year, noted Tobias Thomas, General Director of Statistics Austria. Most of the job offers are in the service sector, accounting for 113,200 vacancies. The manufacturing sector has 46,100 unfilled positions, and the public sector has 37,100.Austria is increasingly reliant on foreign workers to sustain its economy.According to the Economic Research Institute , some shortage occupations in Austria offer competitive salaries.
As of October 2022, over 900,000 foreign workers were employed in Austria, indicating a strong reliance on international labour to fill the workforce gap.Austria is among the most expensive countries to live in, ranking 19th globally and 7th in Europe, according to Numbeo. Monthly expenses for a single person, excluding rent, are estimated at €1,055, while a family of four incurs around €3,590.