Votes at 16 in Austria
Background information into how Votes at 16 has evolved within the Austria education system
(Information provided by the Austrian Embassy, London)
Austria’s experience of having first time voters within the school years
A general voting age of 16 was introduced in Austria in 2007. Austria was the first country within the EU
to introduce such a voting age. 46% of all Austrians between the age of 14 and 17 were ‘sceptical’
towards the new law according to a study on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education and
Science in 2007.
Two parliamentary elections (2008 and 2013) as well as several other elections have taken place since the
introduction of the new voting age.
Univ.-Prof.- Dr. Sylvia Kritzinger and Dr. Eva Zeglovits came to the following conclusions in a profound
study in respect to the voting age of 16 and the parliamentary election in 2013:

The family background and the level of education were decisive for the
participation in the election.

The study highlighted the alarming difference between pupils and apprentices in
respect to political knowledge. However, there were no significant differences
between the age groups of 16- to 17-year-olds and 18- to 21-year-olds in respect
to political knowledge.

The right to vote in the election increased the interest in politics amongst 16- to
17-year-olds: Prior to the election 35% of the 16- to 17-year-olds stated to have
no interest in politics, but after the election this number dropped to 9%.

Although the turnout of all 16- to 17-year-olds (63%) is lower than the turnout of
the rest of the voting population, it is slightly higher than the turnout of all 18- to
21-year-olds (59%).
A study published by Marketagent.com in 2014 found that 70% of all Austrians are in favour of a voting
age of 18. However, the current coalition government does not contemplate to raise the voting age and
backs the voting age of 16.
1 | Participation in political literacy - Guidance notes
How this has evolved and taken shape within Austrian education
Political education has been part of the Austrian school system and the curriculum long before the
voting age of 16 was introduced. The curriculum was not changed when the voting age was lowered.
From the 5th until the 8th school year, political education is taught in the subject ‘History and Politics’.
After the 8th school year, political education takes different forms depending on the school type. In the
secondary academic schools it continues to be taught in the subject ‘History and Politics’, whereas in the
technical and vocational schools it is taught in subjects such as ‘Law and Politics’ or ‘Economics and
Politics’.
Several Austrian youth organisations have called for the introduction of a subject ‘Politics’ on its own in
recent years. Despite the fact that the Austrian coalition government agreed on further strengthening the
role of political education in 2013, no specific plans have yet been announced.
2 | Participation in political literacy - Guidance notes