Poland’s Labour Market – May 2025. Stability with Challenges Ahead

The Polish labour market in May 2025 remains stable. However, signs of slowdown are visible in several industries. At the same time, new legal measures are being introduced to improve the situation.

Employment Is Falling – But Not Everywhere

In the first quarter of 2025, employment in the enterprise sector dropped by 0.9% compared to the previous year. This decline affected many industries, especially mining, trade, and transport. Mining recorded the largest decrease – 2.6%. Lower employment in trade and logistics suggests weakening consumer demand.

However, not all sectors are shrinking. Real estate services reported a 3.4% increase in employment. Growth is also seen in services such as hospitality, culture, and IT.

Wages Are Growing Faster Than Inflation

In March 2025, the average gross monthly salary reached PLN 9,055.92. That’s a 7.7% increase compared to March 2024. The real purchasing power of wages grew by about 3%. This means salaries are rising faster than prices.

Unemployment Remains Low

At the end of March, the registered unemployment rate stood at 5.3%. This is a 0.1 percentage point drop compared to February. The number of registered unemployed people totalled 829,900. That’s a 2% monthly decrease.

New Labour Laws Coming in June

The government is introducing significant legal reforms. A new Labour Market Act will remove age limits on employment support tools. Farmers will be able to register as unemployed. Single parents and large families will receive more assistance.

A new educational loan will also be introduced – up to 400% of the average wage. The National Training Fund will become more accessible for businesses and workers.

New Rules for Hiring Foreign Workers

A second new law will regulate the employment of foreigners. Its goal is to protect the Polish workforce from unfair competition. It will also better protect foreign workers from abuse. At the same time, it will make hiring easier for companies struggling to find staff.

Outlook: Cautious Optimism

Experts predict that the labour market will remain stable throughout 2025. However, challenges remain. Population ageing and staff shortages in some sectors are real problems. Employment growth is expected in IT, logistics, finance, and real estate.

Summary about Poland’s Labour Market

Poland’s labour market is showing mixed signals. On the one hand, we see low unemployment and rising wages. On the other – clear employment declines in traditional sectors. Mining, trade, and transport are losing jobs. This suggests the economy is shifting towards more digital and service-based models.

The increase in wages is a strong positive, especially since purchasing power is growing. That’s good news for workers. But for employers, rising costs may lead to cautious hiring and smaller workforces.

The upcoming legal changes have real potential to increase labour market flexibility. Removing age limits and supporting families can help activate previously excluded groups. Facilitating legal employment for foreigners may ease staff shortages in key areas. The effectiveness of these reforms will depend on proper implementation.

The Polish economy is entering a new phase. This requires the labour market to adapt to modern demands. Companies need skilled and flexible employees. Workers, in turn, need secure and well-paid jobs.