Offensive labor market policy is necessary, has a chance of success

According to Wifo 's current economic forecast, almost 100,000 additional jobs will be created by 2018, but at the same time the number of unemployed people will rise by an annual average of around 20,000 and the unemployment rate will reach a historic high of 9.4%. The painful rise in unemployment is only partly due to the weak economy and dynamic immigration to Austria.

People with a low level of education and qualifications in particular have been affected by a sustained rise in unemployment for some time. In 2014, the unemployment rate for people with a compulsory school leaving certificate was 22.7%. Targeted measures to improve the labor market integration of this group are urgently needed if the trend is to be reversed. On the one hand, labor market policy must create employment opportunities for problem groups and, on the other hand, demand a greater willingness to take up work. The declining unemployment rate in Germany proves that an offensive labor market policy has realistic prospects of success.