The transition from school to working life should open up new opportunities. However, for some young people in Austria, this marks the beginning of a difficult phase. Young people with a migrant background in particular are statistically more likely to be outside of education and employment.
The first resume. The first job application. Perhaps also the first rejection. For many young people, these experiences are part of becoming an adult. Those who find an apprenticeship after school, begin a university program, or start their first job not only gain new responsibilities but also independence.
But what happens when this step doesn’t work out? When applications go unanswered, or when one’s qualifications don’t match available opportunities, a transitional phase can turn into a longer period of uncertainty.
Young people: A number that represents different life stories
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Statistics Austria examines the proportion of young people who are neither employed nor in education or training. Internationally, the abbreviation NEET is used: Not in Employment, Education or Training.
In 2024, this proportion among 15- to 24-year-olds in Austria was nine percent overall. For young people without a migrant background, it was seven percent, and for their peers with a migrant background, it was 13 percent.
These figures indicate differences. However, they do not automatically explain their causes. Family obligations, personal crises, health problems, difficulties finding direction, or structural obstacles can all contribute to such a situation. Being a NEET does not automatically mean a lack of motivation.
Not everyone starts under the same conditions
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Whether young people find their career path depends on several factors. Those who have parents familiar with the Austrian education system may receive support more quickly when choosing a school, apprenticeship, or university program.
Financial resources can also play a role. Tutoring, a quiet place to study, or the ability to finance longer training programs cannot be taken for granted everywhere. Added to this are language barriers, a lack of contacts, and difficulties in having qualifications obtained abroad recognized.
This does not mean that a child’s background determines their abilities. However, educational pathways are partly shaped by social and economic circumstances.
Between school, apprenticeships, and the labor market
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Austria offers various pathways into the world of work. In addition to schools, apprenticeships play a central role. Jugendcoaching supports young people in making educational and career decisions; AusbildungsFit helps young people build the prerequisites for further education.
The existence of such programs does not answer the question of whether everyone learns about them in time, understands what is on offer, and actually gains access to them. Especially for families who have only recently moved to Austria, navigating the system can be a challenge.
When the first opportunity fails to materialize
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Entering the workforce early means more than just an income of one’s own. Work and education create social connections, impart practical skills, and provide structure. They enable financial independence and planning. If this opportunity is not available for an extended period, uncertainty and dependence can increase.
Nevertheless, it would be wrong to speak of a lost generation. Changes in training, breaks, and new decisions are part of many life stories. What is crucial is whether people can find their way back after setbacks.
Integration also means career development
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The debate often focuses on whether young people can find jobs. Equally important are the conditions under which they work: Does a job offer security? Can skills be utilized? Are there opportunities for further training and advancement?
A short-term job is not automatically a lasting prospect. Successful integration must take into account the quality of education and employment.
A future that should not depend on one's starting point
Austria needs well-trained young people. At the same time, young people need the assurance that education and commitment open up real opportunities. The differences in the NEET rate show that these opportunities are not equally accessible to everyone.
A just society recognizes potential not only where a resume looks perfect. It also creates opportunities for those whose path has not yet been straightforward.
SOURCES
Statistics Austria: Migration & Integration 2025, NEET data 2024.
Nationaler Bildungsbericht 2024.
Sozialministeriumservice: Jugendcoaching and AusbildungsFit.