Political Commitment to Evidence-Based Youth Policy

In Austria, evidence-based policy-making is considered essential for youth policy, although there is no clear definition of the term. This approach requires that policy decisions are based on a solid understanding of young people's needs, challenges and aspirations, as well as on the best available knowledge and data. To support this approach, the Austrian Youth Strategy has put in place various mechanisms. These include the establishment of coordination structures and research activities aimed at gaining a deeper insight into the needs and challenges of young people. In addition, the Strategy emphasises the importance of using the best available knowledge and data to inform policy-making in the youth field.

The Youth Screening Initiative plays an important role in this respect by highlighting the concerns of young people in different areas of government. Within government departments, the Knowledge - Transparency - Latitude (KTL) process serves as a cornerstone for stability and effective policy-making. This process involves:

• Providing comprehensive knowledge about the situation, needs and diversity of young people, as well as identifying key stakeholders involved in youth-related issues.
• Ensuring transparency of the various youth policies, activities and services within government departments. This transparency is essential to facilitate coordination and cooperation between different stakeholders.
• Promote innovative cooperation between elected officials, government agencies, young people and other relevant stakeholders. This collaborative approach empowers all stakeholders to contribute creatively to the development of youth policies and gives them new scope in decision-making processes.

Youth research (Jugendforschung) is an integral part of evidence-based youth policy and the government actively supports research projects focusing on youth policy and youth work. This support underlines the interdisciplinary nature of youth research, as youth policy intersects with many areas across all policy sectors, including education, social services, and health. The Austrian Youth Report (Jugendbericht) serves as a key tool for evidence-based youth policy, providing a comprehensive overview of the situation and needs of young people in the country. It uses data resources and stakeholder input to inform policy discussions, evaluate effectiveness and ensure that youth policies are evidence-based and responsive. 

Furthermore, the Austrian Youth Dialogue (Jugenddialog Österreich) involves young people in political discussions and decision-making processes related to youth policy. Coordinated by the National Working Group on Youth Dialogue and Participation (NAG), the process of the Austrian Youth Dialogue is based on data and analyses of the situation and needs of young people in Austria. In this way, the Youth Strategy follows an evidence-based approach, using research, reports and dialogue to inform effective and responsive youth policies.

Cooperation between policy-making and research

In Austria, conducting research on young people is crucial for informed policy-making. To ensure effectiveness, it is essential to maintain high standards of reliability in research. Quantitative data is usually collected through surveys and panorama studies, while qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups provide deeper insights into youth issues. Youth research takes an interdisciplinary approach, looking at different sectors such as education, social services, the labour market, transitions, health and wellbeing, or justice. Its main aim is to provide up-to date analysis of the challenges facing young people and to contribute to the development of comprehensive and inclusive youth policies. 

Austria promotes collaboration between policy and research to develop evidence-based policies for young people. The Austrian Youth Strategy, coordinated by the Competence Centre for Youth in the Federal Chancellery, facilitates this cooperation by providing youth-related facts and research. Ministries also support research projects on youth issues relevant to their areas. The government member responsible for youth affairs presents a youth report (Bericht zur Lage der Jugend in Östereich) in each legislative period, which includes current facts and figures on Austrian youth. This report informs youth policymaking. Overall, policy and research on youth in Austria collaborate in several ways:

Collaboration between Government, Universities, and Research Institutions

The federal government works closely with universities and research institutions to facilitate policy-making and research partnerships. In Austria, several research institutions focus on youth-related issues such as the Austrian Institute for Family Studies (Österreichisches Institut für Familienforschung), which publishes an annual youth report (Focus Youth 2023 - Fokus Jugend 2023 ), the Institute for Youth Culture Research (Institut für Jugendkulturforschung) and the Centre for Social Innovation (Zentrum für soziale Innovation). Supported by the government (see e.g. 'Auftragsforschung') these institutions conduct research on a wide range of topics, including education, employment, health and social inclusion, and provide valuable insights for policymakers. 

Conferences and Seminars for Knowledge Exchange

Conferences and seminars in Austria serve as forums for researchers and policy-makers to engage in dialogue and work together on policy issues. These meetings provide policy-makers with insights into the latest research findings and allow researchers to identify policy priorities. For example, the Austrian Youth Research Conference (Österreichische Jugendforschungstagung), co-organised by the Institute of Education of the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian Youth Research Network, promotes dialogue between stakeholders from research, youth, practice and policy. The aim is to foster shared perspectives in youth research, with input from young people themselves.

Austrian Youth Research Network (Netzwerk Jugendforschung.at)

The Austrian Youth Research Network is an open community for actors in youth research, practice, politics and administration. It aims to promote interdisciplinary research on all aspects of young people and youth as a generation or social group, including youth transitions and youth welfare and youth work. The network aims to strengthen youth research in Austria, to promote dialogue between researchers, practitioners, policy makers and young people, to develop a coherent database, to promote scientific communication and to network with other youth research initiatives in Austria, Europe and beyond. The network provides a knowledge platform for youth research through an online database of publications, organisations, institutions and experts in the youth field (Wissensplattform Jugendforschung). A regular information service informs network members about current publications, projects, activities and events related to youth research.

National Statistics and available data sources

Statistical data on youth in Austria is collected through surveys, censuses, administrative records, and research studies by various entities such as Statistics Austria, public authorities (e.g. the Public Employment Service and the Chamber of Commerce), and research institutions. These data are analysed using statistical techniques to gain insights into youth trends. The findings are shared through official publications, online databases, and portals, providing policymakers and stakeholders with access to relevant statistics for informed decision-making.

Government administrations and statistical offices are working together to facilitate direct access to specialised datasets and to share reports and presentations highlighting key findings through conferences and workshops. These efforts aim to raise awareness of youth-related issues. In addition, provincial governments actively participate in data collection and support youth policies.This section compiles key national statistical data on youth issues in Austria.

Statistics Austria

As Austria's central statistical authority, Statistics Austria plays an important role in collecting and analysing political, social and economic data. This information, which also includes youth-related statistics, is crucial for policy-makers and the general public. In cooperation with federal ministries, tailor-made surveys and data collection methods are developed to address relevant youth issues. This cooperation enables the monitoring of trends, the evaluation of results and evidence-based policy-making. For example, Statistics Austria conducts the Education Statistics Survey (Bildungsstatistik) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. This survey serves as a cornerstone for the continuous improvement and quality assurance of the education system and supports evidence-based education policies.

‘Focus on Youth – An Overview in Figures (Fokus Jugend – Ein Überblick in Zahlen)

The annual publication 'Focus on Youth - An Overview in Figures', commissioned by the Federal Chancellery's Department for Family and Youth and published by the Austrian Institute for Family Studies (ÖIF), provides updated youth statistics for Austria. This resource provides valuable insights into the structure and dynamics of youth issues in the country.

Report on the Situation of Young People in Austria (Bericht zur Lage der Jugend in Östereich)

In accordance with a resolution adopted in 1988, the Austrian government regularly publishes reports on the situation of youth in Austria. The latest report, ‘8th Report on the Situation of Young People in Austria’ (8. Bericht zur Lage der Jugend in Österreich – 8. Jugendbericht), published by the Federal Chancellery's Family and Youth Section, comprises two modules. Module 1 provides statistical insights into demography, education, employment, participation, quality of life, health and media consumption, including a section on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is prepared by Statistics Austria (STAT) on the basis of specific analyses of available data. Module 2 examines life orientations, values, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and young people's perspectives on Europe on the basis of selected studies and surveys analysed by the Institute for Youth Culture Research (Institut für Jugendkulturschforschung). 

Previous youth reports (2011; 2007; 1999; 1993; 1987) have addressed gender mainstreaming, youth work, leisure situations, and participation opportunities. These reports offer a holistic view of the circumstances and challenges young people face in Austrian society. By combining scientific expertise, analysis of living conditions, and policy recommendations, they serve as crucial resources for policy-makers and practitioners, informing responsible youth policies and providing valuable insights into the needs and perspectives of young Austrians.

Budgetary Allocations supporting research in the youth field

There is no specific federal budget for youth research in Austria, but different ministries and departments allocate funds for youth research on the basis of their respective responsibilities as defined in the Federal Ministries Act of 1986 (Bundesministeriengesetz 1986).

The Federal Chancellery, which is responsible for youth affairs, financially supports research projects related to youth policy, youth work and youth development. This funding also covers participation in international youth policy networks such as the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy. The results of these networks contribute to the implementation of the Austrian Youth Strategy and the structured dialogue. The Federal Chancellery also allocates a budget for the preparation of a report on the situation of young people in Austria (Bericht zur Lage der Jugend in Österreich) during each legislative period, which provides valuable data for evidence-based decision-making.

In addition, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Research can provide funding for research projects focusing on the education and learning of young people. These initiatives aim to improve knowledge in areas such as educational practices, learning outcomes and the specific educational needs of young people.

Social partners, federal states, cities and municipalities may also fund and support youth-related research projects (see e.g. commissions:  Institute for Youth Culture Research – Auftragsforschung: Institut für Jugendkulturforschung).