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Demographic Crisis in Poland: How Job Market Instability Affects Parenting Decisions

CAREERSDemographic Crisis in Poland: How Job Market Instability Affects Parenting Decisions

According to data from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS), only 192,000 children were born in the country during the first nine months of 2024. In comparison, 210,000 children were born during the same period in 2023, and nearly 300,000 in 2018. By the end of October 2024, Poland’s population was approximately 37.51 million. Preliminary GUS data from December 23, 2024, shows that from January to October 2024, around 214,000 live births were registered—about 18,000 fewer than in the same period of 2023. The natural population growth—the difference between live births and deaths—was negative, totaling -77,700 in 2024.

“Low birth rates in Poland are a major issue, but not the only one. There are also challenges related to the job market,” said Mateusz Łakomy, a demographer and author of Demography is the Future, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl.

The Impact of Temporary Contracts on Fertility

“A significant proportion of young adults in Poland work under fixed-term contracts. These, often referred to as ‘junk contracts’ in common parlance, include civil contracts or self-employment arrangements. However, data shows that temporary contracts are a much larger problem,” explained Łakomy.

“These contracts translate into lower fertility rates—if someone lacks income stability, they are less likely to decide to have a child. After all, a child is a lifelong financial commitment. Income uncertainty discourages such decisions,” he added.

The Role of Part-Time Work

Another job market issue is the low prevalence of part-time work among women in Poland. “Compared to Western countries like the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, or Switzerland, where more women work part-time than full-time, Poland’s part-time employment rate for women is minimal—around 5%, which is almost negligible,” noted Łakomy.

Part-time work allows parents to balance their professional and family lives more effectively, reducing fatigue and enabling them to enjoy both spheres. “Research shows that part-time employment supports decisions to have additional children,” Łakomy concluded.

Source: ManagerPlus

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