Following the political changes in Syria, it remains unclear if and when Syrian refugees will be able to return to their homeland. AMS boss Johannes Kopf describes the assumption that many people will return soon as ‘wrong’. There are currently 23,988 Syrians in work in Austria – the impact on the labor market is considered minimal.
“I think it is wrong to assume that there will be a greater number of return flights,” Kopf explains. “Especially people who build a new life, learn the language and take a job are unlikely to return quickly,” said the head of the Employment Service (AMS).
According to AMS data (October 2024), 4,200 Syrians and 19,800 Syrians work in Austria, mainly in the service sector. With almost 24,000 employees, they represent only 0.6 percent of the total 3.977 million employed persons. According to AMS boss Johannes Kopf, a major return to Syria is unlikely because many have built a new life here.
According to AMS data, around 24,000 Syrians work in Austria, mainly in the service sector. Most work in car sales and repair (3,706), accommodation and catering (3,645) and other economic services (3,612). The production of goods (3,119) and sectors such as transport, construction and healthcare are also common areas of activity.
Syria faces an uncertain future
Including the asylum seekers who are not allowed to work, the number of Syrians in Austria is approximately 100,000. After more than ten years of civil war, Syria faces an uncertain future after the Islamic Revolution; how peacefully and democratically the country will develop remains an open question.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
