The average age of teachers has declined over the past ten years. The share of teachers aged 50 or older fell from 44.5 percent in the 2014/15 school year to just under 38 percent in 2024/25, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics Austria.
More Young Teachers And Longer Working Lives
At the same time, the proportion of teachers under 30 increased from 9 percent to 13 percent, while the share of those aged 30 to 39 rose from 18 percent to 25 percent.
Another notable trend in the age structure is the increase in the number of teachers aged 61 and older. According to Manuela Lenk, Director General for Statistics at Statistics Austria, this is due to changes in the pension system in recent years, including the gradual increase in the retirement age for women, she said at a press conference.
Differences By Type Of School
The age distribution varies by school type. At vocational schools, more than half of teachers (54 percent) are aged 50 or older. At academic secondary schools (AHS), middle schools, and primary schools, the figure is around 34 to 35 percent.
The highest shares of teachers under 30 are found in primary schools (18 percent) and middle schools (16 percent). In contrast, younger teachers are largely absent at vocational schools (2 percent) and at intermediate and higher vocational schools (7 percent), although these categories have also seen slight increases.
Lenk said no conclusions about the development of teacher shortages can be drawn from these figures alone. Despite the younger age structure, many teachers are still nearing retirement, while a significant number of younger educators are entering the profession.
