The share of Muslim students in Vienna’s primary and secondary schools has continued to rise, according to new official data.
Figures released by the office of education councillor Bettina Emmerling show that Muslim pupils now account for 41.2% of students, up from 39.4% a year earlier, making them the largest religious group in Vienna’s schools.
In comparison, 34.5% of students identify as Christian, including 17.5% Roman Catholic and 14.5% Orthodox. A further 23% reported no religious affiliation, while smaller shares belong to other faiths.
The data comes amid wider problems about cultural and social dynamics in schools. According to the Austrian Farmers’ Association, pork dishes including schnitzel and roast pork are becoming increasingly rare in Viennese school dining rooms. Some schools have removed pork from menus entirely, offering only vegetarian or alternative meat options.
The Association highlighted cases where students even reject dishes labeled as pork-free, unsure if they contain pork. Director Corinna Weisl stressed that while no one is required to eat pork, it should remain available as part of Austrian culinary tradition.
Farmers’ Association President Georg Strasser called for maintaining menu diversity to ensure freedom of choice for all students.
