Unemployment is creeping up in Vienna, and the message from job market authorities is clear: those struggling to find work might need to think about heading west - at least temporarily.
In March 2025, around 124,576 people in Vienna were registered as unemployed, marking a notable increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same month last year, according to ORF. Nationwide, Austria’s unemployment rate sits at 7.4 percent, mainly due to a sluggish economy that has yet to recover from the downturn that began in 2023.
So, what exactly is happening in Vienna, and why is the West now being pitched as the best destination for the city’s unemployed?
Who is affected the most?
Unemployment has risen sharply among two distinct age groups in Vienna: young people under 25 (up by 8.3 percent) and those over 50 (a 5.3 percent rise).
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However, more unemployed people are taking advantage of training and retraining programmes. AMS Vienna (the Public Employment Service) reported a 1.9 percent rise in training participants.
This means that while many are without work, an increasing number are actively preparing themselves to re-enter the job market with new skills.
Retail sector among hardest hit
The situation differs widely across economic sectors.
Retail experienced one of the largest increases, with unemployment climbing 8.4 percent compared to March 2024. Goods production saw unemployment rise by 7.6 percent, while hotels and restaurants reported a similar trend, with unemployment up by 7.8 percent.
Construction went against this trend, showing a slight decrease of 0.5 percent in unemployment rates.
Plenty of vacancies - but location matters
Even with unemployment on the rise, the number of job openings in Vienna also grew. Employers listed 10,547 vacancies with AMS Vienna, an increase of 6.1 percent year-on-year, with nearly 20 percent more positions filled compared to last year.
Despite this, competition remains challenging, and local job openings aren't sufficient for the increasing number of people seeking work.
That’s why AMS Vienna’s chief, Winfried Göschl, is advising Vienna’s job seekers to "look to western Austria," particularly in regions such as Salzburg and Tyrol, where tourism businesses urgently need staff for the busy summer season.
Göschl said: "It is worthwhile for all people looking for a job in Vienna to take a look at western Austria. Workers are urgently needed there, especially in the hotel and catering sector."
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This recommendation aligns with broader national figures showing job openings in tourism-heavy regions.
To encourage more workers from Vienna and other regions, AMS is launching targeted information days and training courses under the motto "Opportunity Tourism."
Courses in popular tourist areas such as Schladming-Dachstein start from April, preparing workers specifically for roles in hospitality. AMS Vienna stresses this as a practical option - even just for summer employment - with Göschl suggesting that experience gained in these seasonal jobs can significantly boost job prospects when workers return to Vienna.
Economic challenges persist nationwide
Nationwide unemployment figures reflect ongoing challenges, with industry and trade sectors struggling the most, according to AMS Director Johannes Kopf, as quoted by Austrian media.
With economists predicting a modest recovery beginning later this summer, job seekers may still face harsh conditions in the short term.
The rising unemployment figures prompted political leaders and interest groups to call for decisive action.
The FPÖ demanded concrete anti-unemployment measures from the new government. At the same time, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) and Chamber of Labour (AK) urged increased investment in employment services and infrastructure.
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