The weak business development in industry and trade is causing unemployment figures to rise further. By the end of February, 429,940 people were registered as unemployed or in training with the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), including 347,424 unemployed individuals and 82,516 participants in AMS training programs. Compared to the same month last year, the number of unemployed and training participants has increased by 6.9%, or 27,643 individuals.

The unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 8.1%. “It is not an easy start for a new federal government,” commented AMS board member Johannes Kopf on the current unemployment figures in a statement. Austria has been in a recession for about 2.5 years, which is clearly reflected in the labor market. Kopf positively assessed the new government’s program, saying, “The new government has announced it will equip the AMS with significantly more budget to combat unemployment. This is an important first step,” said the AMS head.

The largest percentage increase in unemployed people and participants in AMS training programs by the end of February, compared to the same month last year, occurred in goods production/industry (+14.9%) and in health and social services (+12.2%). The increase was somewhat lower in trade (+8.3%), hospitality and accommodation (+5.7%), and transport and warehousing (+5.2%). A slight rise in unemployment was observed in construction (+2.5%) and labor leasing (+0.1%).

Currently, according to the Ministry of Labor, there are 97,424 apprentices in Austrian companies, with 28,796 of them in their first year. There are currently more young people seeking apprenticeships than available positions: 7,891 young individuals are registered as apprenticeship seekers with the AMS, while there are 7,616 open apprenticeship positions.