Hinduism in Austria


Hinduism is a minority religion in Austria,constituting about 0.15% of the population of Austria. Hinduism is not one of the 16 recognised religion in Austria. The Austrian law allows religious groups not recognized as societies to seek official status
as confessional communities with the Office for Religious Affairs. Hinduism is one of the eight confessional
communities in Austria. However the Sahaja Yoga and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are categorised as associations, not as a confessional community.

History

In 1980 the Bengali Bimal Kundu founded the first Hindu religious society in Austria, for Hindus immigrating from the Indian subcontinent. He now runs a small temple, located at a room in the Afro-Asian Institute. Since 1998, the "Hindu Religious Society in Austria" is as "state-registered confessional community" official representative for all Hindus.. It is one of eleven religious groups that constitute confessional communities according to the Austrian Law on the Status of Religious Confessional Communities. It is not yet a legally recognised religion, and therefore is not eligible for support from the state, however they may be eligible for this after 20 years of existence.

Demographics

As of 2017, Hinduism constitute 0.15% of the population of Austria. There are about 11,000 Hindus in Austria.

Hindu groups in Austria