Migration Processes in Austria: Features and Trends

Abstract

The article deals with the current migration situation in the European Union with an emphasis on Austria. The article analyzes the key prerequisites and factors that caused demographic and social changes in Austrian society after World War II, contribute to the preservation of the migration attractiveness of the state at the current stage. The regulatory and legal instruments for regulating migration, including the stay and employment of foreign citizens, as well as the parameters of the functioning of integration mechanisms and ensuring national security against the background of the crisis events of 2015 are summarized. In the context of increasing external pressure on the European Union, Vienna's approaches to managing migration processes are analyzed, which are traditionally characterized by a tough position and often contrast with the official course of Brussels, especially with regard to the reception of refugees. Austrians, in order to prevent irregular cross–border movements of people and secondary migration, minimize threats to national security, actively interact with neighboring states and countries – migration donors. On the domestic political track, of particular interest is the situation associated with a new phenomenon – the mass arrival of Ukrainian refugees. This flow is qualitatively and quantitatively significantly different from traditional migration (gender, educational and social level, significant number of minors). Despite the rigidity of its migration policy, Austria is forced to quickly look for solutions to a complex of problems related to the accommodation and financing of the stay of immigrants from Ukraine, as well as to explain to its electorate the reasons for negative socio-economic changes in the conditions of the chosen foreign policy course. A side effect of providing broad social and legal guarantees to Ukrainians, along with a low level of integration into society, is the growing discontent of the titular population and migrants who arrived from other countries.