Thousands of Macedonians emigrated to Austria during the years of the Yugoslav federation.
[citation needed] Many were temporary workers.
After the Breakup of Yugoslavia many returned to North Macedonia, but a large proportion of the minority remained.
In recent years migration to Austria has increased.
[2] A community spokesperson however estimated the figure to be over 25,000 people, claiming many Macedonians from other parts of the former Yugoslavia were also present in Austria.