Styria records 12 percent rise in civil service declarations

The number of young men in Styria choosing civilian service instead of military service rose 12 percent in the first nine months of 2026, ORF reported. The 1,752 declarations recorded by the end of September put the Austrian state third for growth, behind Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The nationwide increase was 6 percent, Minister Claudia Bauer of the Austrian People’s Party said Friday.

Styria currently has 1,445 civilian service workers, meeting nearly 87 percent of demand. About one-third are assigned to emergency services. Other placements include social and disability support, care for older people and hospitals. Some also work in services for people with drug dependencies, in a correctional facility or in environmental protection.

Bauer said a shrinking population liable for military service could leave the country short of 4,000 civilian service workers a year from 2040. Reforms to military and civilian service are planned from next year. Military service would increase from six to nine months. If the number of military conscripts falls below a set threshold, civilian service could be extended from nine to 11 months. The reforms would also put greater emphasis on training that could benefit people in later employment.