Record figure: 247 women currently lead an Austrian municipality

Federal states compared

The regional differences are significant. Lower Austria tops the statistics: 99 mayors lead a municipality there, with the share of women at 17.3 percent, well above the Austrian average. Upper Austria follows with 52 mayors (11.9 percent) and Burgenland with 17 (9.9 percent). Carinthia remains in last place, with nine mayors and a women's share of 6.8 percent.

At the same time, the Municipal Association provides an insight into the everyday life of those holding office: Around 70 percent of mayors exercise their office alongside their main profession. Those who take on responsibility become visible points of contact and role models for the next generation.

Meeting in Vorarlberg

This year's hosts are Angelika Moosbrugger, Mayor of Wolfurt, and Katharina Wöß-Krall, Mayor of Rankweil. "Frauen gestalten Gemeinden auf vielfältige Weise mit. Wer Verantwortung übernimmt, wird zur sichtbaren Ansprechpartnerin und zum Vorbild für die nächste Generation. Deshalb wollen wir möglichst viele Frauen ermutigen, den Schritt in die Kommunalpolitik zu wagen," both explained.

The Mayors' Meeting, which begins this year in Rankweil, was established in 2007 and stands for networking, the exchange of experiences, and encouraging women to enter local politics. Since 2024, deputy mayors have also been invited.

Well-known names and new officeholders

Among those in office are well-known names and new additions: Elke Kahr (KPÖ) was confirmed as Mayor of Graz on 28 June and is the first and so far only woman at the head of the Styrian state capital. Before Kahr, 135 men had held the office. Most recently, Jasmin Klemmer-Schlögl (SPÖ) was sworn in as the new Mayor of Purkersdorf.

The statistics also show record figures and low quotas: Regina Schrittwieser (Krieglach, Styria) is the longest-serving mayor – in office since 2003. The youngest mayor is Nicole Thaller (born 1995), Mayor of Hofkirchen im Traunkreis in Upper Austria. Federal states such as Carinthia, however, continue to show a significant need to catch up.

Overall, this reinforces the picture of a growing but still male-dominated local political leadership. The increase of 2.5 percentage points in a single year is expressly regarded as progress by the Municipal Association. Measured against a women's share of just under twelve percent, however, there remains room for improvement.

The figures come from the Austrian Municipal Association and were published by APA on 10 July 2026. (APA, red, 10.7.2026)