AMS board member Kopf: “Studying is the best protection against unemployment”

At the end of July, 364,200 people in Austria were registered as unemployed or in training with the Public Employment Service (AMS). This marks the 40th consecutive month of rising unemployment. AMS board member Johannes Kopf, who appeared on the news program ZiB2, expects unemployment to decline slightly in the coming months, but a significant upswing is not in sight. “Unemployment will fall, but it will remain relatively high,” he said.

Difficult conditions for entering the workforce

The current increase is particularly noticeable among university graduates and recent graduates. Kopf pointed out, however, that the overall level remains low. “The unemployment rate for university graduates is 3.4 percent,” he said. For those with only compulsory education, it is 22 percent.

“Currently, it is more difficult for young graduates,” Kopf said. He cited the recession and challenging conditions for entering the workforce as reasons. IT and computer jobs are particularly affected. However, he does not yet see a clear impact of AI on the labor market. “I haven’t seen any decline since the introduction of ChatGPT,” said Kopf.

“University studies are the best protection against unemployment”

The head of the Public Employment Service (AMS) also contradicted the claim that Austria is training people who aren’t suited to the labor market. While there is a shortage of skilled workers in many apprenticeships, unemployment among university graduates is comparatively low. “A university degree is the best protection against unemployment,” said Kopf. In the long term, the ability to learn is crucial.

Unemployment among women has risen significantly recently. One contributing factor is the gradual increase in the retirement age for women. “Ninety percent of people are employed,” said Kopf, referring to women over 60. However, some do end up unemployed.

Kopf is skeptical of the proposal to link the retirement age more closely to years of contributions. “I’m not a big fan of these fixed limits and the coercion,” he said. While Austria will have to work longer, he believes more flexible incentives would be more sensible than rigid rules.