While inflation has hit the economy, it has also shrunk the number of jobs in the Austrian market. A recent AMS report shows that 399,199 people are unemployed or in training nationwide, with roughly 15,200 more than the same month last year, marking the 32nd consecutive month of rising unemployment since April 2023, according to an article in “Die Presse”. 

The same article notes that the national unemployment rate has reached 7.5%. Regional disparities remain stark. Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) and Steiermark reported the sharpest increases, at 6.9% and 5.7%, respectively, following recent job cuts at major employers. Other states, including Burgenland, Tirol, and Salzburg, recorded more modest but still notable rises, while Kärnten saw only a slight uptick.

Sector-specific data also highlights shifting pressures. Unemployment in health and social services surged by 16.8%, partly due to job reclassifications after outsourcing. Retail (+7.4%), transport and logistics (+6.7%), and manufacturing (+5.2%) also posted significant increases. Women were disproportionately affected, with female unemployment rising 6.2% compared to 2.1% for men.

With winter approaching, the daily Austrian writes, bringing seasonal gains in tourism but higher labour needs in construction and agriculture, Austria may see jobless figures rise further before any meaningful improvement emerges.