Poland is demonstrating steady economic growth: in the third quarter of 2025, GDP growth rates reached 3.7% year-on-year, along with a gradual decrease in inflation and a reduction in interest rates. Economic stability is creating favorable conditions for changes in the labor market at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
This is reported by Finway
Company Plans and Labor Market Expectations
According to an analytical report by the international employment company Gremi Personal, if the macroeconomic trends of the fourth quarter align with forecasts, competition among employers for skilled workers may significantly increase by the end of this year. In the first half of 2026, experts predict a systemic strengthening of demand for labor.
According to the quarterly NEI (National Employment Index) calculations, the sub-index “Business Sentiment” in the third quarter of 2025 reached 56 points out of 100, indicating a prevailing optimism among employers regarding future hiring.
A survey by the company revealed that 27% of Polish enterprises planned to expand their workforce, 67% intended to maintain their current number of employees, and only 6% considered the possibility of downsizing. In most companies, employee motivation remained stable, while 18% of respondents noted an increase, and 15% reported a decrease. Employee turnover also showed a trend towards stabilization: 21% of enterprises reported a decrease in turnover.
“After the challenging years of 2023−2024, we see that the sentiments of Polish company leaders are gradually improving. And although the labor market showed signs of cooling in the summer, a significant portion of businesses is inclined to increase hiring, anticipating a revival in domestic demand,” analysts noted.
If the current macroeconomic dynamics are maintained, Poland could finish 2025 with some of the best economic indicators in Europe, laying the groundwork for an improved labor market situation.
Prospects for Ukrainian Workers
Throughout 2025, the demand for labor in Poland was lower than expected due to modest sales growth, with employers dictating the terms in the market. However, if economic recovery in the fourth quarter meets expectations, competition for workers will intensify by early 2026. This will exert pressure to increase wages, particularly in the manufacturing sector, logistics, food industry, construction, and services.
At the same time, analysts indicate that the rise in unemployment in recent months and the steady increase in the number of foreign workers will temporarily mitigate labor shortages and help smooth out seasonal fluctuations in demand.
For Ukrainians already working in Poland or planning to relocate, these changes open up positive prospects. Increased competition among employers could spur wage increases and a rise in the number of long-term contracts. This is especially important for those considering Poland as a stable labor market.
It is worth noting that in the coming months, the situation will remain uneven due to seasonal fluctuations and the growing share of foreign labor from other countries. The recovery of demand for specific professions will occur gradually.