Lower Hospitalization Rates Among Migrants in Austria Compared to Native Citizens

Recent research conducted by the Complexity Science Hub Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna highlights significant disparities in healthcare utilization between migrants and Austrian citizens. Analyzing data from approximately 13 million hospital stays involving around 4 million individuals in Austria between 2015 and 2019, the study found that migrants—who constitute about 20% of Austria’s population—account for only 9.4% of hospital patients and 9.8% of total hospital nights, indicating lower hospital admission rates among this group.

The study revealed notable differences based on nationality. For example, Austrian citizens and Germans have the highest per capita hospital stay rates, whereas populations from North Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey have considerably lower rates. Interestingly, Germans' healthcare usage patterns are similar to Austrians, while other nationalities show distinct differences in both types of hospital admissions and diagnoses.

Despite lower hospital stays, migrants tend to have higher rates of readmission within a year, especially among groups like Syrians, Afghans, and Russians, suggesting they might delay seeking care until health issues become more severe. This pattern supports the theory that access barriers, language, or cultural differences might hinder timely healthcare utilization.

Male migrants generally have lower hospitalization rates than females, with variations across nationalities. Additionally, non-Austrian patients are less frequently admitted for general and vascular surgeries but more often for severe chronic illnesses like cardiology, nephrology, and oncology, implying they might be suffering from more advanced health conditions.

The research emphasizes that healthcare access and utilization among migrants are affected by multiple factors beyond the 'Healthy Migrant Effect,' including structural barriers. Improving outpatient services and providing better language and orientation aids could facilitate more equitable healthcare access for migrant populations.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for designing targeted healthcare policies to reduce barriers and promote better health outcomes for both migrant and native populations in Austria.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-hospital-stays-migrants-austria-austrians.html