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Poland labor market and migration policy trends

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-11 09:32 UTC → 2026-08-12 08:40 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Eurostat data continues to show a striking divergence in Poland’s labour market. In 2024, average monthly wages rose to approximately €1,880—an 11.2% increase that far outpaced Germany’s 2.8% gain, lifting Poland to roughly 55% of the EU average. This surge, driven by returning emigrants and public-sector spending, has narrowed a two-decade gap in EU wage levels. However, analysts warn that without productivity gains, this growth may be unsustainable, drawing parallels to Spain’s demographic and economic model. Despite a record-low unemployment rate of 1.6% at the end of 2025 and a low skill-mismatch rate of 3.5%, demographic trends present challenges. A 15-year-old in 2025 is projected to have a 36-year working career, shorter than the EU average of 37.5 years. While the expected working lifetime has risen by 3.3 years since 2015, Polish workers tend to retire earlier than Western counterparts despite high life expectancy. To support the economy, the foreign workforce has grown significantly; as of February 2026, there were 1.13 million foreign employees, a 7.1% annual increase. Ukrainians comprise 67.9% of this group, though Colombians are the fastest-growing segment. In June 2026, GUS reported average gross monthly wages in the enterprise sector reached 9,401.58 zł, a 5.9% year-on-year increase that outpaced inflation. Simultaneously, the 2026 grain harvest is estimated to be 4.9% lower due to adverse weather, highlighting ongoing economic pressures. By August 2026, migration policy has become a central point of debate. An IBRiS poll indicates 67.2% of respondents support the deportation of Ukrainian men of conscription age who lack legal employment, a proposal championed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party. While PiS voters show 89% support, New Left voters largely oppose the measure. Despite these political tensions, officials emphasize the economic necessity of foreign labor.

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