Long-term unemployment rises sharply in Lower Austria

Long-term unemployment in Lower Austria rose 27.1 percent year on year to 8,016 people by the end of October, ORF reported. Almost half of those affected have health conditions that make it harder to find work.

In total, 46,507 people were registered as unemployed with the Lower Austria branch of the Public Employment Service (AMS) at the end of October, up 6.4 percent from a year earlier. The unemployment rate was 6.6 percent, below the national rate of 7.3 percent. Around 662,000 people in the state were in employment subject to social insurance contributions, according to the state government.

Across Austria, registered unemployment rose 1.3 percent year on year. Including people in training programmes, 389,941 people were unemployed or in training at the end of October, 0.5 percent more than in October 2025. Long-term unemployment, defined as being without a job for at least a year, increased 21.5 percent nationwide.

The AMS in Lower Austria said 48 percent of the state’s long-term unemployed had health-related barriers to employment. Both physical complaints and mental health conditions were playing an increasing role. AMS Lower Austria managing director Sandra Kern said intensive job placement and effective support were key to helping this group return to work. This year, 2,354 people who had been receiving AMS support for at least a year found jobs, including 533 with health-related employment barriers.

Unemployment among women in Lower Austria rose by 9.6 percent, or 1,963 people, while the number of unemployed men increased by 3.7 percent, or 853. The AMS cited the higher retirement age and job losses in traditionally female-dominated sectors as possible reasons.

Unemployment rose faster than the state average in health and social services, up 17 percent, public administration, up 14.2 percent, and retail, up 8.4 percent. The state said employment had also grown strongly in health and social services, where job changes can involve short periods of unemployment. The number of unemployed people aged 50 and over rose 8.4 percent, while unemployment among those aged 24 and under increased 4.4 percent. Vacancies registered with the AMS fell 5.4 percent to 11,875.

State councillor for employment Susanne Rosenkranz of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) highlighted the importance of training and further education, saying unemployment should be ended as quickly as possible to prevent it becoming long-term.