Assessment of Integration: Insufficient German Language Skills and Gender Stereotypes as Key Challenges

Assessment of Integration: Insufficient German Language Skills and Gender Stereotypes as Key Challenges

A Chilly Reception for Migrants in Austria

The sentiment towards immigrants in Austria continues to harden, according to the Integration Barometer 2025. This report, released by Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP), reveals that Austrians are particularly concerned about language skills, attitudes towards women, and political Islam.

While a majority (54%) view living alongside refugees from Ukraine positively, the same can't be said about other migrants, with only 27-32% giving them a positive nod. Plakolm views the government's measures as validated, as 88% welcome the requirement for refugees to learn basic German within a certain period and face sanctions if they don't.

"Anyone seeking to live in Austria must learn German, work, and follow our rules and values. Nine out of ten Austrians agree," claims Plakolm, promising rigid enforcement of the new integration program.

The Integration Barometer is the result of a survey involving 1,000 Austrian citizens, conducted by Peter Hajek's Publik Opinion Strategies on behalf of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).

According to Hajek, the public has long been uneasy about immigration and integration, but there are positive signals too. For example, coexistence in the workplace is largely positive. Interestingly, respondents see both immigrants and locals as jointly responsible for integration, highlighting the shared nature of the integration process.

Germany on Top of the List

A pension on family reunification is largely supported: 56% favor an indefinite pause, while 24% support a temporary halt, and 9% oppose it altogether.

People are also in favor of setting a deadline for learning basic German (88%) and enforcing penalties for failure to comply. Stronger measures against forced marriages, child marriages, and religiously motivated extremism, along with stricter social benefit controls, also receive 88% support.

A headscarf ban at schools for girls under 14 years old garners 74% approval.

Criticism arises regarding financial support for those facing deportation. The start-up aid for voluntary returnees, amounting to up to 900 euros, aims to help the affected individuals settle and integrate into their target or home country. However, only 58% express support, with 35% showing opposition.

Stiffening Negativity

On integration matters, negative sentiment has solidified: 70% believe the country is mishandling the refugee crisis, a figure that was 67% last year. There’s also a general perception that integration is failing, with only 24% viewing it as successful.

Responsibility for successful integration is seen as shared — 61% assign it to migrants and refugees, while 39% point the finger at locals. Moreover, 42% believe integration difficulties have worsened in the past year.

Social cohesion is rated as "rather bad" or "bad" by 53%, compared to 49% last year. General coexistence with immigrants is rated poorly, with the most negative views reserved for Muslim women and men. On the other hand, coexistence with Ukrainian refugees is viewed much more favorably, with 54% rating it as good, compared to 32% who see it as bad.

Biggest Challenges

The biggest challenge perceived is a lack of German language skills (59%), followed by gender-related issues (56%), political Islam (56%), and exploitation of the social system (56%). Concerns about integration difficulties at schools have risen by 14 percentage points, with 50% viewing it as a major problem.

Personal security has also deteriorated, with 49% feeling less secure, compared to 30% last year. In terms of overall concerns, price increases for electricity, heating, and food are the most pressing worry, followed by healthcare issues and migration concerns.

Climate change is a worry for only 22%, compared to 39% in July 2019.

In short, Austrian attitudes towards immigrants are influenced by growing concerns about language skills, gender equality, political Islam, and the need for stronger integration policies. Opposition to family reunification, support for stricter measures, and the desire for better language skills underscore the country's tough stance on immigration.

1. What is the sentiment towards immigrants in Austria, according to the Integration Barometer 2025? It hardens, particularly concerning language skills, attitudes towards women, and political Islam.
2. In terms of coexistence, living alongside refugees from Ukraine is viewed positively by 54%, but other migrants receive only 27-32% positive nods.
3. The government's requirement for refugees to learn basic German within a certain period has 88% support, with sanctions for non-compliance.
4. Plakolm claims that 9 out of 10 Austrians agree that anyone seeking to live in Austria must learn German, work, and follow rules and values.
5. The Integration Barometer is based on a survey involving 1,000 Austrian citizens, conducted by Peter Hajek's Publik Opinion Strategies for the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).
6. Coexistence in the workplace is largely positive, and respondents see both immigrants and locals as jointly responsible for integration.
7. A pension on family reunification is largely supported, with 56% favoring an indefinite pause and 24% supporting a temporary halt.
8. People are in favor of setting a deadline for learning basic German and enforcing penalties for failure to comply (both 88%).
9. Stronger measures against forced marriages, child marriages, and religiously motivated extremism, along with stricter social benefit controls, also receive 88% support.
10. A headscarf ban at schools for girls under 14 years old garners 74% approval.
11. Criticism arises regarding financial support for those facing deportation, with only 58% expressing support and 35% showing opposition.
12. 70% believe the country is mishandling the refugee crisis, and there’s also a general perception that integration is failing.
13. Social cohesion is rated as "rather bad" or "bad" by 53%, with the most negative views reserved for Muslim women and men.
14. The biggest challenge perceived is a lack of German language skills (59%), followed by gender-related issues (56%), political Islam (56%), and exploitation of the social system (56%).
15. Personal security has deteriorated, with 49% feeling less secure, and climate change is a worry for only 22%.
16. In the realm of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, mindfulness and online-learning are valuable tools for individuals aiming for career-development, productivity, and lifelong-learning, especially in the context of job-search and goal-setting. Skills-training in various fields such as sports (football, soccer, European leagues like the Premier League, American football, Serie A, and LaLiga) can contribute to personal growth while enhancing productivity in the job market. However, it is essential to remember that access to education and opportunities, regardless of war-and-conflicts, should be an inalienable right for all, ensuring general-news and crime-and-justice issues do not hinder the path towards progress and learning.

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