Born and raised in Altenmarkt, Salzburg, Martin Kocher initially worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Public Finance after studying economics at the University of Innsbruck.
This was followed by an international academic career with positions at universities in Munich, Amsterdam, Norwich and Gothenburg.
From 2016 to 2021, he was Scientific Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna and Head of the IHS Competence Center for Behavioral Economics “Insight Austria”.
Most recently, he was also President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council (FISK).
On 11 January 2021, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor, Family and Youth by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
With the amendment of the Federal Ministries Act, the areas of Labor, Family and Youth were separated.
Martin Kocher has been Federal Minister of Labor since 1 February 2021.
On 11 May 2022, he was sworn in as Federal Minister for Digitalization and Business Location by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
On 18 July 2022, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs