Poland’s labour market remains tight by historical standards, but the latest seasonally adjusted data show signs of cooling. In the second quarter of 2026, the number of employed people fell slightly from the previous quarter while unemployment increased both quarter on quarter and year on year.
According to Statistics Poland’s Labour Force Survey, 17.293 million people were employed in Q2 2026. That was 21,000 fewer than in the previous quarter but 55,000 more than a year earlier.
Unemployment rises to 596,000
The number of unemployed people increased to 596,000, up 32,000 from the first quarter and 60,000 from a year earlier. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached 3.3%.
The rise is still modest in absolute terms, and Poland continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union. The direction of change, however, suggests employers are becoming more cautious after several years of exceptionally strong demand for labour.
Activity rate reaches a record high
At the same time, labour-force participation remains strong. The seasonally adjusted activity rate reached 59%, the highest level in the series running from 2010.
That matters because higher participation can increase the number of people counted as unemployed even if employment remains relatively stable. It also means more people are available to the labour market rather than remaining economically inactive.
The number of economically inactive people fell to 12.452 million, while self-employment stood at around 3.194 million.
Cooling does not yet mean a weak labour market
The data point to gradual normalisation rather than a sharp deterioration. Employers are hiring more selectively, but employment remains high and the unemployment rate is still low.
Future developments will depend on industrial activity, consumer demand, wage growth and the investment cycle. A stronger economic expansion could stabilise employment, while prolonged weakness in manufacturing or construction would increase the risk of further job losses.
Source: Statistics Poland, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted data.
