Austria as an Immigration Country

In comparison to historically and structurally similar countries the disadvantages of immigrants in the labour market in Austria are similar or even slightly less pronounced. Eye catching deficits, however, remain in the integration of immigrant youths and members of the second generation into the education system and in the housing conditions of the foreign born. In addition, a large number of foreign born considers themselves as members of a group that is discriminated against. The labour market integration of immigrants also differs substantially according to the region of emigration, duration of stay, reason for emigration as well as the age, gender family situation and educational attainment of immigrants. The increasing heterogeneity of immigrants in Austria calls for differentiated policies and the development of programmes to cope with the cultural and linguistic diversity of residents in all areas of life.