Andreas Weigl
Continuity and change in 19th century migration history in Vienna

In common perception 19th century Vienna was a city of rapid population growth caused by an immigration boom never experienced in Viennese history before and after. Popular images of Czech speaking artisans, unqualified laborers, maids and of strange looking Galician Jews frame the history of a city in economic, social and cultural transformation. But this view is partly misleading. Recent research in Central European migration history shattered the assumption of a highly immobile pre-transitional (and pre-modern) population and this could be proofed in the case of Vienna too. No doubt quantitative demographic indicators show a more or less steady increase in net migration in absolute figures. But if we look at net migration rates, although a rough indicator, the common view of an outstanding century of immigration is disproved. Net migration rates in the time period c. 1710- c. 1930, together with some additional indicators, show much more continuity than change, also there were several peaks und slumps caused by “exogenous” factors like wartimes or outbreaks of epidemic diseases. In contradiction to the common picture of Viennese migration history it was the turn of the century that showed no peak but some signs of a downward trend in migratory movements, at least as middle and long distance migration and more or less permanent changes of residence are concerned. And it was the post war period of World War I. that saw a dramatic, middle term fall of immigration.

Nevertheless there were some structural changes in Viennese migration history that contribute to the common picture of a century of immigration. Most of all changing patterns of ethnicity and of the social status of a majority of immigrants played an important role in this process. Traditional labour migration networks of journeymen, apprentices and day labourers eroded and were replaced by migratory networks based on local togetherness. Within specific groups of labour migrants former rank consciousness was removed from class consciousness. Till the end of the century horizontal differentiations by terms of ethnicity became more and more important and led to new forms of integration and disintegration. In the case of middle class immigrants economic liberalism and the expanding labour market for white collar jobs opened on the one hand new fields of job opportunities, especially for migrants from religious minorities (Jews, Protestants), on the other hand fostered anti-Semitism and xenophobia of loosers of the social and economic transformation like artisans and shopkeepers. It was this atmosphere of nationalism and xenophobia prolonged in the interwar and Nazi period that strengthened the public opinion, that immigration in late Habsburg Vienna was an exceptional period in the cities (population) history.


Ursula Struppe
Principals of the Viennese Integration and Diversity Policy

More than 40 % Viennese have a migration background, that means they or their mother or father were born abroad. This diversity should be reflected in the services provided by the City of Vienna and in the staff composition of the Vienna City Administration. As a centre of competence MA 17 has assisted the Vienna City Administration in achieving the goal of diversity since 2004. MA 17 serves as an interface between migration  organisations, NGOs and the City of Vienna. MA 17 funds projects, measures and initiatives that aim to assist in integration.