Burgenland unemployment rises again to 6.5 percent

Unemployment in Burgenland rose again in September, with 9,932 people registered as unemployed or taking part in training, ORF reported. The unemployment rate edged up year on year to 6.5 percent.

A total of 7,994 people were looking for work, and numbers increased across all groups, including men, women, long-term unemployed people and jobseekers looking for apprenticeships. The number of jobseeking apprentices rose by 10.5 percent, with the districts of Mattersburg and Neusiedl am See particularly affected.

More than 4,000 women were looking for work, an increase of 8.4 percent, a sharper rise than among men. ORF attributed the increase partly to the gradual rise in the retirement age and changes to education leave rules, which have brought more women into the labour market. Weak economic conditions continue to limit employment in traditional sectors such as retail.

There were also 1,838 people taking part in training, down 4.7 percent, or 90 people, compared with the previous year. The decline was recorded in the districts of Oberpullendorf and Oberwart and the Stegersbach and Jennersdorf region.

Current forecasts do not point to a rapid recovery in the labour market for the rest of this year or in 2027. Helene Sengstbratl, managing director of AMS Burgenland, said the outlook for the state was solid overall but subdued.