Decline in Hungarian Workers in Austrian Job Market Raises Concerns

Published: December 19 2023

The number of Hungarians working in Austria has seen a consecutive decline for four months, sparking concerns about changes in the labor market. While the statistics do not provide information about where these workers are moving to, it is clear that there has been a decrease in the Hungarian community in Austria. This decline is particularly noticeable in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which may be experiencing seasonal fluctuations and temporary redundancies. The upcoming ski season in December will be a determining factor in whether the trend continues or if there will be a resurgence in Hungarian workers in Austria.

The number of Hungarians working in Austria has been steadily decreasing for the past four months. This decline is evident in the statistics, which show a decrease from 126,656 at the end of summer to 118,930 by the end of November. The largest decrease occurred in October, with 4,494 Hungarians leaving Austria in a single month. Although the decline in November was smaller, 994 individuals chose to stop working for Austrian employers. Comparing the figures to the previous year, there has been a narrow increase of seven percent, with 111,410 Hungarians registered in the Austrian labor market in 2022.

The decline in the number of Hungarian workers in Austria has particularly affected labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture and tourism. With the winter season approaching, the tourism sector is starting to recover, while the agriculture sector is hibernating. This suggests that the decrease in Hungarian workers may be due to seasonal factors and temporary redundancies in these sectors. However, the ski season in December will provide a clearer indication of whether there will be a need for additional manpower and potential hiring of Hungarian workers.

Austria has seen an influx of Hungarian workers, with recruitment agencies specifically targeting Hungarian workers. This is concerning for the Hungarian economy, as there is already a shortage of workers in various manual jobs. The decline in the number of Hungarian workers in Austria may be beneficial in addressing this imbalance.

While Hungarians were previously the largest group of foreign workers in Austria, the recent decline has shifted the demographics. Germans have almost reached the same number as Hungarians, emphasizing the need for Hungary to address the loss of its workforce in Austria.

The consecutive decline in the number of Hungarian workers in Austria raises concerns about the state of the labor market. While seasonal fluctuations and temporary redundancies may be contributing factors, the upcoming ski season will provide a clearer picture of the demand for Hungarian workers. The impact on labor-intensive sectors and the recruitment practices of agencies targeting Hungarian workers further highlight the need to address the shortage of workers in Hungary.

=== Why has the number of Hungarians working in Austria been declining? The number of Hungarians working in Austria has been declining for the past four months due to seasonal trends in the Austrian labor market and the temporary redundancy of workers in labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

How many Hungarians were working in Austria at the end of November? At the end of November, there were 118,930 Hungarians working in Austria.

What was the biggest fall in the number of Hungarians working in Austria? The biggest fall in the number of Hungarians working in Austria occurred in October when 4,494 Hungarians left Austria in a single month.

How does the current number of Hungarian workers in Austria compare to a year ago? A year ago, in 2022, there were only 111,410 Hungarians registered in the Austrian labor market. The current number of 118,930 represents a narrow increase of seven percent.

Which sectors are most affected by the decline in Hungarian workers in Austria? The most labor-intensive sectors affected by the decline in Hungarian workers in Austria are agriculture and tourism.

When is the ski season in Austria and how does it impact the number of Hungarian workers? The ski season in Austria starts in December, and the hospitality sector may need extra manpower during this time. Last year, between November and December, Austrian employers hired more than 1,000 new Hungarian workers.

Are there agencies in Austria specifically recruiting Hungarian workers? Yes, there are agencies in Austria specifically recruiting Hungarian workers, which is detrimental to the Hungarian economy as it faces a shortage of people in primarily physical, manual jobs.

How many foreign workers were registered on the Austrian labor market in November? In November, a total of 983,699 foreign workers were registered on the Austrian labor market. The domestic population of 118,930 Hungarians means that one in eight international workers in Austria was Hungarian.

Are there any government initiatives to promote remigration near the Austrian border? Yes, the government has opened Welcome Offices near the Austrian border to promote remigration.