Vienna, April 13, 2026
Austria’s anti-racism counseling service ZARA documented 1,539 reports of racism in 2025, marking a 6.5 percent decrease compared to the previous year, according to a report released Monday.
## Shift in Reporting Patterns The 2025 data revealed a significant change in how racism incidents were reported, with 47 percent of cases coming directly from affected individuals—a sharp increase from just 21 percent in 2024. The remaining 53 percent were filed by witnesses or third parties.
Online racism continued to dominate the reports, accounting for 56 percent of all cases. Meanwhile, 15 percent of incidents occurred in public spaces, while 8 percent involved state authorities or institutions, and 7 percent were linked to police conduct.
The rise in self-reporting suggests growing awareness and willingness among victims to seek help, though challenges remain in addressing systemic barriers, particularly in institutional settings.
## Key Areas of Concern Racism in education emerged as a notable issue, with 96 cases reported in schools and universities. Victims often hesitated to come forward due to fears of retaliation. "Schülerinnen und Schüler hätten oft Angst, dass Lehrpersonen sich nach einer Beschwerde 'rächen' könnten oder sogar noch andere Lehrkräfte auf ihre Seite ziehen," the report noted, highlighting concerns about teacher reprisals.
Police-related complaints also drew attention, with 61 cases of alleged racist police violence documented. Of these, only 13 resulted in formal complaints filed with ZARA’s assistance, underscoring the difficulties victims face in pursuing legal recourse.
The report did not specify reasons for the overall decline in cases but emphasized the need for continued monitoring and support for victims, particularly in high-risk sectors like education and law enforcement.
## Persistent Challenges and Next Steps Despite the slight drop in total reports, ZARA’s findings indicate that racism remains entrenched in both digital and physical spaces. The organization called for stronger measures to combat online hate speech and improve accountability within public institutions.
The data also revealed disparities in reporting rates across different sectors, with victims of police-related incidents far less likely to file formal complaints compared to those experiencing racism in other contexts.
ZARA’s annual report serves as a critical tool for tracking trends and advocating for policy changes, but activists stress that sustained efforts are needed to address the root causes of racism and ensure safer environments for marginalized communities.
The organization plans to expand its outreach programs in 2026, focusing on empowering victims to report incidents and increasing collaboration with schools and government agencies to prevent future cases.