Austria reports rise in Islamophobia and religious discrimination

Recent reports from civil society and official institutions in Austria indicate a significant rise in Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims. The Dokustelle 2025 report documented 1,684 incidents targeting Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim, noting that 63.1% of these cases occurred online. The report suggests that the actual number of incidents may be higher and highlights that racism is being reinforced through political discourse and institutional practices.

Data from the Austrian Equal Treatment Ombudsman Board (GAW) for 2024-2025 shows that 87% of religious discrimination cases involved Muslims, with women accounting for 90% of the victims. This highlights an intersection of discrimination based on religion, gender, and ethnic origin.

A report from the Austrian Parliament noted that the GAW handled 9,268 applications over two years, 1,975 of which were related to discrimination. This represents a 33% increase in discrimination cases compared to the previous two-year period. Approximately 73% of these cases were linked to professional life, while 33% were connected to ethnic origin, affecting access to housing and services.