A growing share of Poles say they no longer need additional income to feel financially secure — 17% in 2025 versus 13% in 2023, according to new research by SW Research for Job Impulse. However, over half of respondents (55%) still say their household would need at least 1,000 PLN more per month to feel financially safe. The study offers a detailed look at how Poles perceive their financial situation — and how they save.
As many as 32% of respondents say they would need more than 2,000 PLN per month in additional income to feel financially stable. Although this figure has fallen by 2.5 percentage points since 2023, it remains the single most common response. Notably, this need is most frequently reported by high earners — those earning above 7,000 PLN net monthly — 42% of whom consider an extra 2,000 PLN essential. This suggests that higher income not only increases spending capacity, but also raises expectations and the personal definition of financial security.
47% of Poles have a second source of income
Almost half of Poles (47%) now have a side job, generating income beyond their main employment. Among the highest earners, that number is even higher — 58%.
“This is clear evidence that earning extra income has become a widespread and structurally embedded phenomenon in the labour market,” says Łukasz Koszczoł, CEO of Job Impulse.
“For many people, it is not just a way to supplement the household budget, but a strategic tool to build financial resilience amid rising living costs and economic uncertainty.”
More Poles are saving — and feeling more financially comfortable
According to data published by Statistics Poland (GUS) on 29 September 2025, the material situation of Polish households improved in 2024. As many as 86% of Poles were able to save money, with 29% doing so regularly — a 2.4 p.p. increase from 2023.
Most households (58%) say they can cover everyday expenses, although larger purchases still require saving in advance. Meanwhile, the share of people reporting financial comfort is rising — 4% say they can afford some luxury, and 25% can spend freely without needing to save (vs. 3% and 23% in 2023).
Where do Poles cut spending?
The Job Impulse survey shows that the most common expense categories Poles cut back on are:
- eating out (33%)
- utility bills (32%)
- clothing (31%)
- groceries (31%)
- entertainment (29%)
At the opposite end—only 7% are trying to save on healthcare. As many as 20% of respondents say they cut back on “everything possible”, while just 10% say they do not need to save at all. In the 2023 survey, those shares were 25% and 5%, respectively.
Saving “on everything possible” is more common among people aged 50+ (22%) than among those aged 26–34 (14%). Interestingly, this same 50+ age group also contains a higher share of people who do not feel the need to save at all (22% vs. 14%), suggesting deepening polarisation within this demographic.
Compared with 2023, fewer people are cutting back on “pleasure-based” expenses:
– eating out down by 9.5 p.p.
– entertainment down by 8.5 p.p.
– travel down by 7.8 p.p.
However, cutbacks in essential areas such as utilities and groceries remain almost unchanged.
“It is worth noting that among those actively pursuing side jobs, 28% do so specifically to finance the most basic needs,” adds Koszczoł.
“Rising ability to save signals greater stability for parts of society — but we are simultaneously seeing growing interest in side work, not only among students, but also among much older age groups. Earning extra money has become a way to build savings — and savings are now viewed as a core condition of financial security.”
About the study
- The 2025 survey was conducted by SW Research for Job Impulse using CAWI (online questionnaire) among 1,400 adult Poles aged 26+.
- The 2023 survey was conducted by SW Research for Job Impulse using the same methodology (CAWI) among 816 adult Poles aged 18+.
