[Current state of research on migration in Austria. A brief review]

Although Austria has been the aim of immigration for many years, research in the field of migration and integration is not yet established. Of the Austrian population, 9.6% have foreign citizenship and the proportion of the migrant population is highest in Vienna, where it is 18.0%. In 2002 a population register system was implemented in Austria which allows a more detailed description of migration processes and a differentiation of population by citizenship and country of birth. In social science and public health research as well as in official statistics and surveys the item of migration is not given sufficient consideration. On a political level, especially in Vienna, a comprehensive strategy of integration and diversity is being increasingly regarded as essential, and federal health policy has recently also focused on the health of migrants. In the future migration will hopefully be re-evaluated as the need for a humanitarian approach is recognized but also the benefits from migration in cultural, economic and demographic affairs are better appreciated and research is allowed to play an appropriate role in this process.