Małopolska Unemployment at 2.8% as GDP per Capita Reaches 70% of EU Average

Małopolska’s unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in 2025, while the employment rate among people aged 20–64 reached 76.7%. At the same time, regional GDP per capita was equal to 70% of the EU average in purchasing power standards. Eurostat’s latest regional profile also points to a high share of young adults with tertiary education, R&D spending of 2.73% of GDP and a low fertility rate.

The region had 3.32 million residents at the start of 2025. The median age was 41.8 years, life expectancy at birth reached 79.6 years and the fertility rate stood at 1.20 children per woman in 2024.

Unemployment at 2.8%

In 2025, the employment rate among people aged 20–64 was 76.7%. The unemployment rate for people aged 15–74 was 2.8%, while long-term unemployment was 0.7%.

Almost half of young adults have tertiary education

In 2025, 48.1% of Małopolska residents aged 25–34 had tertiary education. The share of people aged 25–64 participating in education and training was 9.9%.

R&D spending equals 2.73% of GDP

Gross domestic expenditure on research and development amounted to 2.73% of regional GDP in 2023. R&D personnel accounted for 1.73% of total employment.

In 2024, GDP per capita in Małopolska, measured in purchasing power standards, stood at 70% of the EU average.

Poverty risk and regional conditions

In 2025, 14.9% of Małopolska residents were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Internet access was available to 97.1% of households.

The regional profile combines a low unemployment rate, a relatively high employment rate and a strong education base with GDP per capita still below the EU average. Demographics remain a longer-term challenge, with fertility at 1.20 children per woman in 2024.

Source: Eurostat, “My region – Małopolskie [PL21]”. The indicators refer to different years depending on data availability.