Racism in Austria is widespread and affects many areas of daily life, according to the Racism Report 2025 published Monday by the organization ZARA (Civil Courage and Anti-Racism Work). The report states that racism influences access to housing, exposure to online hostility, and educational opportunities.
This year’s report places particular emphasis on racism in the education sector. According to ZARA, racism in schools and kindergartens often appears in subtle forms of unequal treatment, such as lower expectations, poorer grades, or more frequent reprimands directed at students with migrant backgrounds or those perceived as such. The report notes that instead of receiving support, those affected frequently experience victim-blaming.
“Often, the behavior of those affected is scrutinized, while racist patterns go unrecognized,” said Fiorentina Azizi-Hacker, head of ZARA’s counseling centers. She added that the lack of specialized complaint mechanisms and limited awareness among professionals often leaves those affected without adequate support. The report also states that experiences of racism continue beyond school, including in higher education institutions.
1,539 Documented Cases
ZARA documented 1,539 cases of racism in Austria. According to the report, 56 percent of the incidents involved online racism, most of which were reported by witnesses. In 2025, ZARA’s advisors conducted 2,362 individual consultations. The majority (57 percent) were carried out via email, 37 percent by phone, and 7 percent in person. In addition to legal advice, ZARA offers psychosocial support and accompanies individuals to court proceedings.
