Poland's June 2026 industrial output and wages signal faster growth
Polish industrial production rose 7.6 % year‑on‑year in June 2026, outpacing the 7.2 % market consensus and the 5.2 % rise in construction output. The surge was driven by strong performance in engineering‑type infrastructure projects funded by the National Recovery Plan and EU funds, as well as gains in transport equipment, mining and paper sectors.
Average wages in the private sector increased 5.8 % year‑on‑year to about 9 400 zł gross, with mining wages surging over 50 % due to seasonal bonuses. Despite higher pay, total employment fell 0.9 % year‑on‑year, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of a slight decline.
Labour‑market data show a 111 % jump in demand for AI and machine‑learning specialists, while the overall job market posted 387 000 vacancies in the first half of 2026, led by sales, manual work and IT roles. R&D centres reported record salaries, with directors earning up to 57 000 zł per month.
Overall, the data suggest a resilient Polish economy with accelerating production, modest wage growth and a shifting skill demand toward digital and AI competencies, even as employment trends remain weak.