Poland labor market: Sick leave trends and wage growth

In the first half of 2026, Poland saw a 2.7% decrease in the number of medical certificates issued, totaling 14.1 million. However, the total number of days of sick leave remained relatively stable at approximately 147.7 million days. This indicates that while fewer people are taking leave, the duration of absences is increasing, with a notable rise in leaves lasting between 11 and 30 days.

The primary causes for absence include musculoskeletal disorders, mental health issues, and injuries or poisonings. Conversely, absences due to respiratory diseases have declined. Data from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) shows that women account for 56.3% of certificates issued for personal illness, and the 30–39 age group represents the largest share of absence days.

Regarding the broader economy, Statistics Poland (GUS) reported that average gross monthly wages in the enterprise sector rose by 6.8% year-on-year in July 2026, reaching 9,509.02 PLN. This growth exceeded market expectations. Simultaneously, employment in the enterprise sector saw a year-on-year decrease of 0.8%, totaling approximately 6.4 million positions.