In April 2026, business sentiment improved in most Polish regions and across many of the sectors analysed. However, data from Statistics Poland (GUS) show that the overall picture remains highly uneven, both by sector and by region. The strongest assessments were recorded in accommodation and food services, as well as in information and communication, while transport and storage remained the weakest area of the economy.
The regional business climate indicator, R-BCI, increased year on year in most of the analysed areas of activity. The improvement was particularly visible in construction and retail trade, where the indicator rose in 11 voivodeships. Better assessments than a year earlier were also reported in manufacturing.
Despite this improvement, the overall economic picture is not clear-cut. Some sectors remain in negative territory, meaning that pessimistic opinions among entrepreneurs still outweigh optimistic ones. This applies especially to transport, where the R-BCI indicator was negative in 14 out of 16 voivodeships.
Accommodation and food services record the strongest sentiment
The highest business climate indicator nationwide was recorded in accommodation and food services. For Poland as a whole, the R-BCI in this sector stood at +10.2 points, with positive values recorded in 12 voivodeships. The best result was reported in Podkarpackie, where the indicator reached +37.6 points. High values were also recorded in Podlaskie, where the R-BCI stood at +35.5 points.
Positive assessments also prevailed in the information and communication sector. The national indicator for this area reached +9.6 points, with positive values recorded in 10 voivodeships. The highest results were seen in Podlaskie (+26.8 points) and Podkarpackie (+23.7 points). At the same time, the data reveal significant regional differences. In Lubelskie, the indicator for this sector fell to -30.5 points.
Transport remains the weakest sector
The most difficult situation is visible in transport and storage. The R-BCI for Poland in this sector stood at -5.6 points, and in most voivodeships it remained below zero. The weakest result was recorded in Opolskie, where the indicator fell to -24.2 points. Very low values were also reported in Podkarpackie (-21.2 points), Łódzkie (-19.2 points) and Małopolskie (-16.0 points).
Transport is also a sector particularly exposed to rising energy, fuel and labour costs, as well as regulatory burdens. According to GUS data, entrepreneurs in this sector remain pessimistic about demand, sales and financial conditions over the next three months. This may indicate that cost pressure will persist in the coming months.
Construction improves, but remains below zero
In construction, the R-BCI for Poland stood at -2.4 points. This means that despite a year-on-year improvement, the sector remains slightly on the negative side. The best assessments came from entrepreneurs in Podlaskie (+11.6 points), Opolskie (+11.0 points) and Lubuskie (+7.5 points).
The weakest construction sentiment was recorded in Świętokrzyskie, where the indicator stood at -16.6 points, and in Zachodniopomorskie, where it reached -13.4 points. The largest year-on-year improvement was reported in Lubuskie, where the indicator increased by 20.9 points.
Retail trade remains cautious
In retail trade, the nationwide R-BCI stood at -1.3 points. This means that despite improvement in many regions, cautious or negative assessments of the situation still prevail. The best results were recorded in Warmińsko-Mazurskie (+6.0 points) and Wielkopolskie (+2.7 points).
The most difficult situation was reported in Opolskie, where the retail trade indicator stood at -16.6 points. Weak sentiment was also visible in Lubelskie (-11.7 points) and Podlaskie (-10.1 points). The data suggest that despite a year-on-year improvement, the sector continues to feel cost pressure and uncertainty over demand.
Manufacturing shows strong regional differences
In manufacturing, the R-BCI for Poland stood at -4.4 points. The best assessments were recorded in Małopolskie, where the indicator reached +8.9 points, and in Pomorskie, with a result of +7.2 points. Positive values were also reported, among others, in Podkarpackie, Mazowieckie and Opolskie.
The lowest assessments in manufacturing were recorded in Kujawsko-Pomorskie (-9.6 points) and Podlaskie (-9.5 points). Nationwide, the sector therefore remains under pressure, although signs of improvement are visible in some regions.
Labour costs remain a key barrier for companies
Entrepreneurs in all analysed sectors pointed to labour costs as one of the main barriers to business activity. In accommodation and food services in Wielkopolskie, 94.7% of surveyed companies identified this as a problem. A high share was also recorded in Dolnośląskie, where 90.8% of entrepreneurs in the sector pointed to this barrier.
Another major problem remains uncertainty over the general economic situation. This is particularly visible in transport, where 80% of surveyed companies in Łódzkie and 73.6% in Małopolskie pointed to this factor. In wholesale trade, economic uncertainty overtook labour costs for the first time as the most frequently cited barrier to business activity.
Companies fear higher energy and fuel prices
An additional GUS survey question shows that entrepreneurs expect business costs to continue rising in the next quarter. The most frequently cited factor is the price of energy and fuels. In manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade and retail trade, at least 85% of companies in all voivodeships identified this factor as a major source of cost pressure.
In construction, the share of responses ranged from 89.1% in Mazowieckie to 98.2% in Zachodniopomorskie. In transport, all surveyed companies in Opolskie and Podlaskie pointed to energy and fuel prices. Labour costs remain the second most important factor, followed by the prices of components and services, as well as rent and leasing costs.
Cautious improvement, but no broad-based rebound
GUS data show that in April 2026 the situation of Polish companies was improving, but the recovery was not universal. The strongest performance was recorded in tourism-related services, accommodation, food services, and information and communication. Transport, retail trade and parts of manufacturing remained weaker.
The biggest challenge for companies is still cost pressure. Rising energy and fuel prices, high labour costs and economic uncertainty are limiting the improvement in sentiment and may affect investment decisions in the coming months. As a result, the April data point more to a selective improvement in business conditions than to a stable and broad-based recovery across the entire economy.
