Austria is one of the countries in the EU with the highest rates of job vacancies. There is a shortage of labour in various sectors such as IT, transport, tourism, health and care. What role does labour migration play in these times of labour shortages? The study, which was prepared by IOM Austria as National Contact Point in the European Migration Network (EMN), examines this question for the period 2021–2024. 

The study sheds light on immigration pathways for workers and identifies legal regulations, political strategies and initiatives in the field of labour migration to counter labour shortages. The study also highlights key challenges for the recruitment of labour from abroad, such as the differences between the education and vocational training systems in the countries of origin and in Austria. Finally, the study also discusses the findings of experts on the successful recruitment of international talent, such as the relevance of a whole-of-government approach.

The study is available on the EMN Austria website.