Hiring foreign workers, especially in professions experiencing labor shortages and a lack of qualified workforce, can be a partial solution to the staffing deficits increasingly faced by Polish employers. While businesses call for simplifying this process as much as possible, the government’s proposed migration strategy emphasizes the need to control the influx of migrants rather than facilitate it.
“The labor market situation in Poland is currently very good. We have an average unemployment rate of 5%, and in many cities, it is at a record-low level—currently at 2% in Kraków,” says Dr. Hab. Bernard Ziębicki, professor at the Cracow University of Economics and rector of the university, in an interview with Newseria.
In January 2025, the unemployment rate in Poland stood at 5.4%, slightly higher than in the previous 10 months, during which it had even dropped below 5%. However, this seasonal increase is a natural trend during the winter months.
Since mid-2021, unemployment has remained below 6%, and the last time it reached double digits nationwide was nearly a decade ago, in February 2016. There are, however, regions where unemployment has remained high for many years. The highest rate is recorded in the Szydłowiec area in southern Mazovia, near the Świętokrzyskie region, where it still exceeds 23%. Currently, 87 out of over 380 counties have a double-digit unemployment rate. At the other end of the spectrum are large cities and their surrounding areas: Poznań (1.0%), Katowice (1.0%), Warsaw (1.4%), Wrocław (1.7%), and Kraków (2.0%).
Declining Employment Despite Low Unemployment
On the other hand, employment rates are falling. Since October 2023, the number of employees in enterprises with at least 10 workers has been continuously declining year-over-year, and these drops are becoming more pronounced.
In January 2025, this employment group had 0.9% fewer workers than a year earlier. This is largely a demographic effect—more people are leaving the labor market for retirement than those entering it. The last large demographic cohort is now in their forties.
“All industries are experiencing a significant labor shortage, and in this situation, relying on foreign workers has become almost a necessity. Migrants, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine and others from different countries, have strengthened Polish enterprises and improved the labor market situation. However, this shortage is still visible,” says the rector of the Cracow University of Economics.
The employment of immigrants, alongside parallel efforts such as automation, labor market activation of inactive individuals, and incentives for extending working years beyond the retirement age, is one of the ways to address the labor shortage. However, companies complain about numerous procedural and administrative barriers in the hiring process.
Recently, employer organizations appealed to lawmakers to remove from the proposed Act on the Conditions for Employing Foreign Workers a requirement for certain entities to hire foreigners under an employment contract. This primarily concerns cases where temporary employment agencies assign foreign workers to other employers. Employers argue that such changes are discriminatory and overly restrictive for both employers and foreign workers, as they limit flexibility for both parties.
The Need for a Balanced Migration Strategy
Prof. Bernard Ziębicki also highlights the needs of employers regarding immigrant labor.
“Introducing a responsible and balanced strategy that, on one hand, supports employers and, on the other, prevents an uncontrolled influx of migrants to Poland is a major challenge that the Polish government is taking on. Such a strategy has been developed, and additional legislative solutions are being implemented.”
He also emphasizes that while foreign workers are essential for many industries to function properly, it is equally important to regulate their influx to ensure they have the necessary skills.
In October 2024, the Polish government adopted a Migration Strategy for 2025–2030, titled “Regaining Control. Ensuring Security.” The document states that “safe and controlled labor migration will remain a factor positively influencing the competitiveness of the Polish economy, particularly in filling gaps in shortage occupations.”
The strategy focuses on measures such as activating disadvantaged social groups, extending working life without raising the retirement age, and modernizing and automating production and services.
“Poland adheres to the principle that demographic and social changes in the labor market should not be countered through immigration policy alone. Additionally, an overly liberal migration policy should not obstruct the modernization and automation of the Polish economy aimed at improving its competitiveness. Other instruments related to economic, employment, and social policies should therefore take priority,” the document states.
“The strategy is still in its early implementation phase, so we will only be able to evaluate its effects over time. For now, it seems to be working—there has been improvement in many industries, but the demand remains high,” notes the rector of the Cracow University of Economics.
Foreign Workers in Poland: Statistics and Trends
According to Statistics Poland (GUS), at the end of December 2023, foreigners made up 6.6% of the total workforce in Poland. Between January and December 2023, the number of foreign workers increased by 4.2%. The total number of foreigners working in Poland, including those employed under civil law contracts, reached 1.015 million people.
Foreign workers in Poland came from over 150 countries, with Ukrainians making up the majority. Throughout 2023, they accounted for approximately 69% of all foreign workers. The second-largest group consisted of Belarusians, who represented 11.5% of the total foreign workforce as of December 31, 2023. Citizens of all other countries individually accounted for less than 3%, though this group saw the highest growth rate in 2023.
Conclusion
Poland’s labor market is experiencing a paradox: low unemployment but declining employment levels due to demographic changes. Foreign workers play a crucial role in mitigating labor shortages, but businesses are calling for fewer bureaucratic hurdles. The government’s migration strategy aims to balance economic needs with security and labor market stability. However, its long-term effectiveness remains to be seen.
