Poland faces teacher shortages and aging workforce

Recent data from Eurostat reveals a significant demographic shift in the European Union's teaching workforce. As of 2024, there are 5.3 million teachers in EU primary and secondary schools. A notable trend is the aging workforce; in Poland, only 4% of teachers are under the age of 30, one of the lowest percentages in the EU. Conversely, 40.4% of teachers across the EU are aged 50 or older.

In Poland, the Ministry of National Education has addressed concerns regarding teacher shortages. According to data released in response to parliamentary inquiries, there were 10,303 job offers for teachers in schools managed by local governments and ministries as of August 20, 2026. These offers translate to approximately 7,143 full-time positions, as many roles are part-time.

Specific shortages have been identified in subjects such as Polish language, mathematics, and preschool education. While the number of job advertisements has seen a slight year-on-year decrease of approximately 2.9%, the demand for specialized educators remains a critical issue for the Polish education system.