
Austrian schools have a relatively high percentage of teachers aged 50 and over, as well as those under 30, according to a study published on Tuesday.
The oldest teachers are primarily found in upper secondary schools (AHS) and vocational institutions, as highlighted in the “Education at a Glance” comparative study.
In 2022, 34% of primary school teachers in Austria were aged 50 or above, in line with the average across member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). At the lower secondary level (AHS) and in middle schools, this figure was 40% (OECD average: 36%), while in upper secondary and vocational schools, it reached 46% (OECD average: 41%).
However, in two out of the three categories, the proportion of teachers aged 50 and over in Austria has declined since 2013, suggesting a gradual decrease in the number of older teachers in classrooms.
At the same time, the study noted a significant presence of young teachers in Austria. Across primary to upper secondary levels, 14% of teachers are under 30 years old. This figure has almost doubled since 2013 and exceeds the OECD average of 11%.
Internationally, countries such as Italy, Portugal, Greece, and the three Baltic states have the highest proportion of teachers aged 50 or above. Conversely, fewer older teachers are found in Turkey, Luxembourg, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom.
The highest proportions of young teachers (under 30 years old) are observed in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Japan, and Belgium.