Austria's Labour Crunch Deepens: Four in Five Firms Report Staff Shortages as New Pension Top-Up Scheme Takes Shape

The scale of Austria's skilled-worker crisis has been laid bare in new data showing that 155,000 positions across the country are currently unfilled. The findings, released on 2 August 2026 as part of the Austrian Economic Chambers' (WKÖ) latest skills radar, paint a picture of an economy straining at the seams — with 78 percent of companies now reporting they cannot find the qualified personnel they need.

The research, compiled by the Institute for Research on Education and the Economy (ibw) from responses provided by 2,132 businesses, reveals that more than half of those surveyed — 56 percent — say they are already feeling the effects strongly or very strongly. The pain is not evenly distributed, however. Transport and logistics firms are hit hardest, with 66 percent reporting shortages, closely followed by tourism at 63 percent. The trades and crafts sector sits at 62 percent, while industry trails just behind at 58 percent. At the other end of the spectrum, only 36 percent of information and consulting companies report comparable difficulties.

Geography matters too. Carinthia tops the regional rankings with a striking 87.5 percent of businesses affected, while Vienna records the lowest figure at 72.5 percent. When it comes to filling specific roles, employers struggle most with electricians, car mechanics, mechanical engineering technicians, pipe fitters and medical doctors — the occupations the survey identifies as the most critical bottlenecks.

With fewer hands on deck, the pressure on remaining staff grows — and so does the risk of safety oversights. A free Health & Safety Toolkit gives you ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and toolbox talks to keep your team protected even when everyone is stretched thin. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit

Existing Staff Bearing the Brunt

The operational fallout is already being felt in the balance sheets. Fifty-six percent of firms say the shortage is costing them revenue, while 48 percent report that their capacity to innovate has been compromised. For those still on the payroll, the pressure is mounting: 81 percent of businesses describe workloads as increasingly difficult to manage, and 80 percent acknowledge that employees are carrying a significant additional burden.

Nor is relief expected any time soon. Sixty-one percent of companies anticipate the situation will deteriorate further over the coming months. The pipeline of new talent is a particular worry — 60 percent of firms report difficulties recruiting apprentices, even though half of those that offer training say they would take on more young people if suitable candidates came forward.

Policymakers Reach for New Levers

In response to the data, WKÖ Secretary-General Danninger has called for a comprehensive package of measures spanning expanded education and training programmes, more childcare provision, incentives to extend working lives and targeted, skills-based immigration.

The political spotlight has also turned to older workers. Seniors' Association President Korosec points out that while one in three employees is now over 50, 30 percent of companies with more than 20 staff employ nobody over 60. Roughly 30 percent of those aged 55 to 64 do not transition directly from employment into retirement. Korosec argues for dismantling age-related prejudices, redesigning workplaces to suit older employees and strengthening preventative healthcare.

Redesigning workplaces for an ageing workforce means reviewing how you manage safety for everyone on site. The free Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Toolkit provides nine practical tools — including risk assessments and checklists — to help you meet your legal duties and protect staff of all ages. Get the free Health & Safety at Work Act Toolkit

A concrete proposal is now on the table: the Social Affairs Ministry plans to introduce a so-called "active pension" from 2027. The scheme would grant a tax-free allowance of up to 15,000 euros to individuals who postpone drawing their pension or continue working alongside it. Eligibility requires 40 contribution years for men and 34 for women, with the latter figure set to be aligned by 2033.

The ministry estimates around 90,000 people would qualify. Its own illustrative calculations show the potential savings: an office worker earning an additional 3,000 euros could save up to 8,296 euros annually; a sales assistant with 2,000 euros in extra income would keep 7,668 euros more; a full-time industrial worker (based on a 1,250-euro example) would gain roughly 7,269 euros; and a nurse earning 500 euros on top of their pension would save 1,630 euros per year.

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