Ukrainian refugees working in Poland play a significant role in strengthening the country’s economy. According to forecasts by the international consulting firm Deloitte, by 2030, their contribution to Poland’s gross domestic product (GDP) could reach 3.2%.
This is reported by Finway
Dynamics of Economic Contribution and Employment
Experts note that as the number of employed Ukrainians in Poland increases, their positive impact on GDP steadily grows.
“If in 2023 they accounted for 2.3% of GDP, then in 2024 this figure reached 2.7% of GDP. In the long term, as refugees acquire more country-specific skills and firms invest to restore the capital-to-labor ratio, the impact will increase to 3.2% of GDP by 2030,” the study emphasizes.
As of May-June 2024, 80% of Ukrainian displaced persons in Poland were employed, while 14% received local social assistance. Over the year, the unemployment rate among refugees decreased from 11% to 6%.
Characteristics of Ukrainian Salaries in Poland
The average salary of Ukrainian refugees in May-June 2024 was 4,000 zlotys (approximately 45,720 hryvnias), which is 900 zlotys higher compared to the previous year. However, this income level remains below the minimum wage in Poland until July 1, 2024, which was set at 4,200 zlotys before taxes.
Depending on the sector of activity, the average salary of Ukrainians before taxes ranged from 3,500 to 4,200 zlotys (from 40,000 to 48,000 hryvnias). The actual amount that Ukrainians receive after taxes is even lower. Young people aged 15 to 24 can expect higher earnings, while most other workers from Ukraine earn less than local employees.
The highest salaries for Ukrainian refugees are offered in the manufacturing, healthcare, food service, and hospitality sectors. The lowest pay is recorded in the education and construction sectors.
Regarding the geography of settlement, Warsaw remains the most popular city among Ukrainian refugees, with over 109,700 residents as of September 2024. The second and third places are held by Wrocław (53,900) and Kraków, where just over 33,000 Ukrainians live.