Burgenland unemployment rises as long-term joblessness jumps

Unemployment and participation in job training rose 2.2% year on year in Burgenland in October, with long-term unemployment increasing by 16.3%, ORF reported.

At the end of the month, 8,112 people were registered as unemployed and 1,868 were in training with the Public Employment Service (AMS). Unemployment rose by 5.9% among women and 2.3% among men.

People under 25 were also particularly affected, with unemployment up 6.6%. Among people aged 50 and over, it increased by 4.1%.

AMS Burgenland deputy regional managing director Karin Steiner said a rapid and sustained improvement in the labour market was not yet expected. She said the economic recovery remained too weak to provide a noticeable boost, while global uncertainty was prompting many companies to hold back on investment and staffing decisions.

By sector, unemployment rose most in health and social services, up 12.8%, followed by construction at 8.6% and accommodation and food services at 4.8%.

Unemployment increased by 10.7% in Mattersburg district, 10.1% in the Stegersbach and Jennersdorf labour market region, and 7.2% in Eisenstadt. Neusiedl am See district recorded a 2.6% decline.

Advertised vacancies fell by 13.5% compared with October last year. Open apprenticeship positions were down 5.7%, while the number of people seeking apprenticeships rose by 26.1%.

Across Austria, 389,941 people were unemployed or in training at the end of October, 0.5% more than a year earlier.