Poland: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Poland?

Poland's unemployment rate was 3.2% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the preliminary Labour Force Survey results published by Statistics Poland. About 574,000 people were unemployed, out of 17.8 million economically active people.

The survey uses the International Labour Organization definition: people without work who looked for a job in the past four weeks and could start within two weeks. GUS also publishes a monthly registered unemployment rate, based on people signed on at labour offices, which counts people differently and gives a different rate. The IMF World Economic Outlook projects an average of 3.2% for 2026.

Official sources: GUS: Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 · GUS: LFS Q2 2026 (PDF) · IMF DataMapper: Unemployment rate, Poland

What is the average salary in Poland?

The average gross monthly wage in Poland's enterprise sector was PLN 9,259.54 in August 2026, 5.6% higher than a year earlier, according to Statistics Poland's monthly release.

The figure covers enterprises with more than nine employees and is gross, before income tax and social contributions. It excludes the public sector and small firms, so it is not the same as the national average wage that GUS publishes quarterly and annually. Average wages are pulled up by high earners; the median is lower. The full release is available as a PDF.

Official sources: GUS: Average wage in the enterprise sector, August 2026 · GUS: Release (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Poland in 2026?

Poland's minimum monthly wage has been PLN 4,806 gross since 1 January 2026, up 3.0% from PLN 4,666 in 2025, as reported in Statistics Poland's August 2026 wage release.

The Council of Ministers sets the minimum wage each year by regulation after consultation with unions and employers in the Social Dialogue Council; the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy publishes the regulation. A minimum hourly rate also applies to some civil-law contracts. The amount is gross; take-home pay is lower after social contributions and income tax.

Official sources: GUS: Wage release, August 2026 (PDF) · Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy

How many people are employed in Poland?

About 17.2 million people were employed in Poland in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Labour Force Survey. The activity rate, the share of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work, was 58.7%.

The survey counts anyone who did at least one hour of paid work in the reference week. Statistics Poland's monthly enterprise-sector release counts jobs in larger enterprises in full-time equivalents instead: 6,367.8 thousand in August 2026, 0.8% fewer than a year earlier. The two measures cover different groups and should not be compared directly.

Official sources: GUS: Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 · GUS: Enterprise-sector employment, August 2026

What is the minimum wage in Poland?

4,806 PLN a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in Poland for 2026, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Poland earn on average?

In 2025, average monthly earnings of employees in Poland was $2,302 a month, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Poland is 23rd highest of 32. Worldwide: 25th of 57.

What is Poland's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Poland was 3.0%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 17.6%; its low point was 2023, at 2.7%. It is 44th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. World rank, highest first: 138th of 174.

How many young people in Poland are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Poland was 10.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 36.9%; its low point was 2019, at 9.8%. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Poland is 33rd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 98th highest.

What share of people in Poland are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Poland at 58.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 54.0% (2007) to 59.2% (2023). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Poland placed 29th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 113th of 174.

What share of women in Poland are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Poland at 51.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 46.7% (2007) to 52.2% (2023). Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Poland is 31st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 174.

How many people in Poland are employed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 56.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 57.6%; its low point was 2005, at 45.2%. It is 24th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 98th highest.

How many workers in Poland are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Poland was 15.0%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 15th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 124th highest.

What share of workers in Poland earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Poland at 81.1% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 85.5%, and Poland placed 32nd highest of 47. Worldwide: 51st of 174.