Some 12.5% of households in Austria – one in eight – have been affected by energy poverty, according to Statistics Austria analysis conducted on behalf of the Vienna Chamber of Labour.
Among households at risk of poverty, this share rises to 45.8%, the data showed.
‘Above-average energy costs’
“In 2024, 12.5% of households in Austria either faced above‑average energy costs relative to their low income or were forced to significantly reduce their energy consumption for financial reasons,” commented Manuela Lenk, director general, statistics, at Statistics Austria.
“One‑parent households were energy poor in one out of four cases, making them another strongly affected group. A less pronounced, yet still clearly above‑average, influence on the risk of energy poverty was observed for households living in energy‑inefficient buildings.”
Household composition
As the data showed, household composition and employment status were strongly linked to energy poverty. Among households with no or minimal labour market participation, 42.7% experienced energy poverty.
Households with at least one person in long-term unemployment had a rate of 42.1%. Working-poor households, defined as employed households at risk of poverty, had a rate of 41%. Households relying mainly on social or insurance benefits, such as unemployment or childcare allowances, showed a rate of 38.8%. Education levels also influenced energy poverty risk, with 31.1% of households with only compulsory schooling affected.
In addition, households with a female main earner were affected at a rate of 15.5%, compared with 10.5% of those with a male main earner.
Housing conditions contributed to differences in energy poverty, with households living in older buildings (constructed before 1960) experiencing higher rates (18.8%). Households in rental apartments, small dwellings up to 80 square meters, or large multi-unit buildings were also more affected.
Energy poverty was more prevalent in densely populated areas, particularly in eastern Austria, where rates reached 16.8%, compared with 11% in southern Austria and 7.7% in western Austria. Read more here.
Population Groups with Above-Average Levels of Energy Poverty (%)
| Household Type / Group | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Households at risk of poverty | 45.8 |
| Households with no or almost no labour market participation | 42.7 |
| Households with at least one person in long-term unemployment (≥ 6 months) | 42.1 |
| Working-poor households (employed persons at risk of poverty) | 41.0 |
| Households whose main source of income comes from social or insurance benefits | 38.8 |
| Households with a low level of education (at most compulsory schooling) | 31.1 |
| Households living in overcrowded dwellings | 30.8 |
| Single-parent households | 25.0 |
| Households with 3 or more children | 21.9 |
| Households living in dwellings with single-room heating systems | 21.6 |
| Households with at least one person in short-term unemployment (> 6 months) | 21.1 |
| Households living in Vienna | 20.9 |
| Households living in buildings constructed up to 1960 | 18.8 |
| Single-person households | 17.3 |
| Households in rental housing (non-owner-occupied) | 17.3 |
| Households in areas with high population density | 17.3 |
| Households living in small dwellings (up to 80 m²) | 16.8 |
| Households in buildings with 10 or more residential units | 16.1 |
| Households with a female main earner | 15.5 |
| Average across all households | 12.5 |
