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On average 43.5% of the EU population between the ages of 55 and 64 were employed in 2006. Austria, with 35.5%, ranks 19th in the EU. The Lisbon Recommendations on the part of the EU assert that Austria should bring its employment quote of 55 – 64 year olds up to 50% by 2010, which cannot be reached.

Effects of “external” demographics in Austria

2005 was the first time that Austria saw more of its population over 40 years old than under. 

The employable population in Austria will increase by 130,000 people by 2020. Among the younger generations (15 – 45), a decrease of 240,000 is predicted while an increase of 370,000 is predicted to be seen in the older generations of workers.

The average age of the workforce will increase, as fewer young people will be available to enter the job market.

After 2015, workers over the age of 45 will make up the largest group of employed persons, at 38%.

Effects of “internal” demographics in Austria

Imbalances within the demographics of individual companies have appeared as a result of hiring freezes in various firms during the last few years. The small number of younger workers entering the job market will not restore balance. 

• A humanization of the working world through the concrete implementation of age and generation management measures, thereby contributing to fair cooperation between all groups of workers.
• To bring instruments of age and generation management to as many companies as possible, and to equalize the working potential of different groups of workers through broad cooperation and the development of innovative measures.
• To use the know-how of other European countries to increase the (short-term and long-term) percentage of employed older workers in Austria.
• To avoid a decline in skills, and rises in unemployment, social marginalization, and early retirement due to illness in older workers by promoting the development of preventative approaches.
• To give employers and employees a gentle push towards making lasting changes in their set of values and behavior.
• To co-author managerial and corporate conditions to make a good quality of life in older age possible and to make cooperation between young and old a success factor in business.