Austria

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Austria
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Austria, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 37.6% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 49.2% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 13.2% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 81.3% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 90.7% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • In upper secondary education, 59.4% complete their education within the theoretical programme duration (OECD average : 76.2%), while 77.6% of new entrants complete a general or vocational programme within two years after the end of the theoritical programme (OECD average : 84.9%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4.4% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.3% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Austria allocated an average of 8.8% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.6% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 27994 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Austria (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 17801 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 4.8% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 17.4% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 13.2% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 15.3% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • On-site work varies with the level of education, while 48% of tertiary-educated workers sometimes or usually work from home in Austria (OECD average : 42.5%), 19% of workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment did so (OECD average : 17.7%).
  • In Austria, annual typical teaching hours were 783 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 625 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • Women represent 97.1% of pre-primary teaching staff in Austria (OECD average : 95.9%) and 70.5% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
  • In Austria, there are 93.3% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools (OECD average : 90.9%). However, 5.8% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary education left the profession through retirement or resignation in 2025 (OECD average : 6.4%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Austria | Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (Ministry for Education, Science and Research) | Statistik Austria (Statistics Austria) |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.2 %, rank 10/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary qualification is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.8 %, rank 8/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained a general upper secondary or post-secondary qualification is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.4 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of 25-64 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.4 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a vocational degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (37.2 %, rank 7/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a general degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.5 %, rank 30/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15.1 %, rank 5/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (14 %, rank 33/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (0.3 %, rank 24/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-64 year-old men who have attained a general degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.1 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of 25-64 year-old men who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (5.1 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old women who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (7.7 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    In Austria, the average age of new entrants in short-cycle programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21.6 Years, rank 29/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of first-time entrants in bachelor's programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (39.1 %, rank 34/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (71.5 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of female among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is relatively small. (41.8 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of female among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (55.3 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Austria is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (35.7 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in Austria is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (65.9 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in health and welfare in Austria is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (70 %, rank 18/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in Austria is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (14.1 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (66.2 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (60.7 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the lowest across participating countries. (22.3 %, rank 22/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (69.1 %, rank 5/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Enrolment of 6–14-year-olds in primary education placed Austria among the lowest across countries. (46 %, rank 38/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of upper secondary students enrolled in programmes giving partial completion or insufficient for completion is relatively low compared to the other countries. (4.9 %, rank 12/17 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of upper secondary students enrolled in programmes giving full level completion without access to tertiary education in Austria is relatively low compared to the other countries. (2.1 %, rank 25/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Students enrolled in programmes providing full completion and access to tertiary education among all students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary vocational programmes are proportionally less in Austria than in the other countries. (25.6 %, rank 19/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Austria is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 12/16 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary general programmes in Austria is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.1 %, rank 43/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary vocational programmes in Austria is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (41.5 %, rank 6/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of three-year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Austria is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 11/15 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    In Austria, the average age of first-time tertiary graduates is relatively low. (23.9 Years, rank 25/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time bachelor's graduates is relatively low in Austria. (36.3 %, rank 32/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of first-time graduates in general programmes at upper secondary level is comparatively low. (25.5 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The average age of short-cycle tertiary graduates in Austria is among the youngest. (20.3 Years, rank 25/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (59.2 %, rank 6/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, Austria has one of the smallest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (56.5 %, rank 25/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of female first-time master's graduates is relatively small, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (57 %, rank 17/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of tertiary graduates in STEM fields in Austria was one of the highest compared to other participating countries. (30.6 %, rank 4/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low. (0.6 %, rank 20/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of services is relatively low. (2 %, rank 21/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    In Austria, the proportion of male tertiary graduates in the field of arts and humanities is relatively small. (5 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (76.4 %, rank 15/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (59.9 %, rank 18/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in all fields is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (55.9 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (72 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (59.4 %, rank 24/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (40.4 %, rank 3/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (18.9 %, rank 26/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (77.6 %, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (55 %, rank 3/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (22.5 %, rank 24/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Austria, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively low. (7 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of health and welfare is relatively low. (9.6 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (6.9 %, rank 26/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of new entrants in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary bachelor's programmes is especially small, compared to the other countries with available data. (0.6 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of new entrants in services bachelor's programmes is especially low, compared to the other countries with other data. (1.5 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of new entrants in health and welfare master's programmes is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (10.2 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    Austria has a large share of international students graduate from tertiary programmes compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (23.4 %, rank 2/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Austria has one of the largest proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.8 %, rank 5/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of international and foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.4 %, rank 5/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (19.5 %, rank 3/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of international graduates among first-time master's graduates is relatively high. (32 %, rank 6/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (46.5 %, rank 5/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20 %, rank 2/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (27.7 %, rank 8/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Austria, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the lowest across countries with available data. (42.2 %, rank 21/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Austria was among the lowest across countries with available data. (40.5 %, rank 21/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in Austria was among the lowest across countries with available data. (13.3 %, rank 21/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (27994 USD Equivalent, rank 8/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per primary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17801 USD Equivalent, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20930 USD Equivalent, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17268 USD Equivalent, rank 8/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per student on research and development in tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10726 USD Equivalent, rank 6/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    From 2012 to 2018, the average annual growth in total expenditure on primary to tertiary education in Austria is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (29447 USD Equivalent, rank 4/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23620 USD Equivalent, rank 6/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary general education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18189 USD Equivalent, rank 7/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary vocational education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23418 USD Equivalent, rank 4/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Austria, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively low. (1 %, rank 28/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, expenditure on tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (1.8 %, rank 5/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (4.4 %, rank 8/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Austria. (4.4 %, rank 10/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.3 %, rank 27/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Austria has one of the smallest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (7.6 %, rank 28/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, total public expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of total public expenditure is comparatively low. (1.8 %, rank 39/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively large in Austria. (87.7 %, rank 5/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively large. (92.4 %, rank 6/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Total public expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure, for primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Austria compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.4 %, rank 38/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Austria, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.5 %, rank 28/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (93.5 %, rank 8/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of capital expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.7 %, rank 32/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of capital expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1 %, rank 18/21 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of teachers aged between 40 and 49 in secondary schools is especially small. (24.1 %, rank 35/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in primary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (91.4 %, rank 9/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of women among teaching staff in vocational upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.5 %, rank 28/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in post secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Austria, compared to other countries with available data. (44.2 %, rank 19/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    In Austria, average actual salaries for primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (91397 USD Equivalent, rank 3/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, average actual salaries for lower secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (99455 USD Equivalent, rank 3/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, average actual salaries for upper secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (107487 USD Equivalent, rank 2/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a lower secondary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (83922 USD Equivalent, rank 6/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, an upper secondary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (90913 USD Equivalent, rank 6/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a primary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (80252 USD Equivalent, rank 6/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    In Austria, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old primary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (132729 USD Equivalent, rank 3/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old lower secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (139443 USD Equivalent, rank 7/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old upper-secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (165831 USD Equivalent, rank 1/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    Between 2015 and 2024, Austria reported an increase in the number of students enrolled in education. (112 Index, rank 6/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level is especially low. (8.9 Ratio, rank 35/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level is especially low. (9.9 Ratio, rank 36/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff in short-cycle tertiary programmes is comparatively low in Austria. (9.1 Ratio, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the number of students per teacher in general upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.2 Ratio, rank 32/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the number of students per teacher in public lower secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8 Ratio, rank 36/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the number of students per teacher in public institutions short-cycle tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (8.9 Ratio, rank 16/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the number of students per teacher in private institutions short-cycle tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (10.2 Ratio, rank 16/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (90.4 %, rank 26/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Austria. (68.4 %, rank 18/18 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    In Austria, the share of employed 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (81.1 %, rank 27/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a short cycle tertiary education degree is relatively low in Austria. (3.8 %, rank 20/24 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is low in Austria. (26.8 %, rank 31/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low in Austria. (10.4 %, rank 33/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.3 %, rank 22/25 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In Austria, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (12.2 %, rank 27/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14.2 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (143 Index, rank 20/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of foreign-born aged between 25 and 64 who work full- and part-time with a short cycle tertiary education are comparatively high. (129.3 %, rank 4/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a bachelor's or equivalent education are comparatively low. (102.5 %, rank 25/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively low in Austria. (78.6 %, rank 21/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The relative earnings of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent attainment in Austria were among the lowest across countries with available data. (113 Index, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Austria. (137 Index, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Austria. (149 Index, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Austria, the proportion earning between 0.5 and 1 times the median is comparatively low. (34 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary education or post-secondary non-tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (84.3 %, rank 5/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (74.7 %, rank 22/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education (full- and part-time workers) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (61.2 %, rank 30/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (68 %, rank 18/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Austria, the share of employed men aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the highest across countries with available data. (62.7 %, rank 2/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of employed women aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the highest across countries with available data. (47.4 %, rank 2/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the smallest across countries with available data. (19.3 %, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the smallest across countries with available data. (22.3 %, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Austria, the share of adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the smallest across countries with available data. (34.2 %, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator


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    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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				Key
            
    
            Diagram of funding flows - Austria
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
				Key
            
    
            Country Reviews for Austria
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			
            Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.