Recent Austrian data has revealed that 40 percent of working-age Afghan, Syrian, and Iraqi migrants are not employed, with the Austrian government now looking to take action in 2027 to improve labor market integration efforts.
The data, from the Statistical Yearbook for Migration and Integration, showed that among Syrians, about one in three is registered as unemployed; and among Afghans, this figure reaches nearly one in four.
These figures underscore a clear gap relative to the broader population. Data from the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), for Austrians overall, unemployment is near 7.4 percent while Syrian rates are at 33 percent and Afghans around 23 percent.
However, the “unemployment” rate hides the real rates, since that figure only counts people who are actually looking for work. When those not looking for work are factored in, which is the broader “non-employment rate,” it hovers between 40 and 55 percent people not working among Afghans, Iraqis, and Syrians, depending on the report.
Women’s labor participation among these foreign groups is also especially low, often standing at only 24 percent employment on average for women from these three groups.
The government responds
The Austrian government has proposed an Integration Duties Law, intended to take effect in 2027, with backing from Integration Minister Claudia Bauer (ÖVP). The reform is linked to broader efforts to cut social assistance in the country and bring people into the workforce, through punishments if necessary.
The new rules would require migrants to learn German, accept Austrian values, and actively seek or take up work. A related social-assistance package would cover an integration phase, during which third-country nationals must participate in German-language and values courses to receive full welfare payments of around €1,016; otherwise they will only receive a reduced rate of €861.
Those who refuse to comply could also be hit with fines of up to €5,000, including for dropping out of courses, exam fraud, integration fraud, or submitting a false language certificate.
Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), whom the rival right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has labeled weak on immigration, claims the new rules will improve integration.
“Whoever wants to live in Austria must learn German, accept our values, and be ready to build an independent future through work,” he said.
