Vienna favorites: Over 50% of citizens feel unsafe!

Vienna favorites: Over 50% of citizens feel unsafe!

In Vienna-Favoriten, the residents' sense of security is in jeopardy. Recent surveys show that only 48 percent of residents in this district feel safe, while the Austrian average is an impressive 85 percent. A survey by KURIER, carried out with the support of the opinion research institute OGM, includes 23 questions and records the mood of the population over a month and refers to a total of 22,297 participants. This survey is eagerly awaited as it provides insights into concerns and sensitivities across Austria and can be found at kurier.at/umfrage.

The situation is particularly striking in Favoriten, where the crime rate rose to a frightening 26,218 reports of suspicious, legally punishable acts in 2024. This makes Favoriten one of the most dangerous districts in Vienna and has recorded the most advertisements in the federal capital, while Graz is just behind with 24,045 advertisements, as heute.at reports. The inner-city conditions are also alarming, as the crime rate here per 100,000 inhabitants is three times as high as in other districts of Vienna. These numbers fuel the discussion about security measures and media coverage.

Feeling of insecurity among the population

The perceived security deficit in Favoriten is seen by many experts as the result of one-sided media reporting and chronic understaffing of the local police. District leader Marcus Franz (SPÖ) criticizes the fact that the indicators in the inner city are alarming but receive far less attention. “More crimes per capita occur in the inner city, but they are hardly discussed in the media,” explains Franz.

The results of another study by Insights Austria, carried out in June 2025, show that 22 percent of respondents feel significantly more unsafe than before. 44 percent report a slight increase in feelings of insecurity. Women, young people and families are particularly affected; 59 percent of participants expressed concerns about the safety of their children in schools and kindergartens. In addition, 48 percent state that they consciously avoid large gatherings of people, which shows that the general mood in Austria is growing, as blog.tqs.at describes.

Action is required

Popular opinion calls for clear measures: 77 percent of those surveyed are calling for gun laws to be tightened, while only 19 percent agree with the current regulations. There is a clear trend in the population reacting to increasing security needs.

Given this situation, the discussion about safety in everyday life and the public perception of crime is more urgent than ever. Those responsible are called upon to critically examine both the media coverage and the structural conditions of the security authorities and to find solutions for a better feeling of security in Vienna. A city that is loved for its cultural diversity should also be a safe place to live.