Austria’s typical unemployed worker is now more likely to be an older, better-educated woman as the country’s labour market undergoes a dramatic shift.
The change was revealed in new figures from the Austrian Public Employment Service, known as AMS, in Austria, central Europe, in March and April.
Unemployment in Austria stood at 7.5 per cent in April 2026, higher than it had been a year and a half earlier.
But an analysis of the latest AMS data by Austrian newspaper Krone found that the profile of people out of work has also changed sharply.
In November 2024, Austria’s typical unemployed person was described as a young man from the Favoriten district of Vienna, the capital’s heavily populated 10th district.
That jobseeker had completed only compulsory schooling and had most recently worked in retail.
Now, according to the latest AMS figures, the picture is very different.
The new data shows unemployed people in Austria are significantly more likely to be female, aged over 50, and better educated than before.
The shift suggests that job losses are no longer concentrated only among younger workers with fewer qualifications.
Instead, Austria’s labour market is increasingly affecting older and more qualified workers who may previously have appeared better protected from unemployment.
The AMS figures cover March and April 2026 and were published as Austria continues to face a tougher employment market than in late 2024.
Krone said the latest data showed a “dramatic shift” in who is now most likely to be unemployed in the country.
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Spotter: Mike Leidig
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Copychecker: Angela Trajkovska
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Austria
Subject: Business, Employment
T4 Editor Story Rating: 7
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