Unemployment rates in Poland have been at record lows for many years. Just this January unemployment levels dropped to 2.6 percent, the lowest ever recorded in the country. The Polish national statistics office or GUS has this number at 5.4 percent in the same month though. Whichever level it is, there is a growing war for talent in Poland in 2025.
Eurostat’s figures of 2.6 percent differ from Poland’s own official data of 5.4 percent. Polish GUS data is compiled using a different methodology and is not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations in employment.
Companies and HR people across Poland have been facing challenges to attract talent for many years. Statista traces the unemployment rate given by the Polish GUS. And, according to the report, unemployment in Poland briefly peaked at 6.5 percent during the pandemic. It then returned to levels of around 5 – 5.5 percent which it stands at today.
Monthly registered unemployment in Poland from 2020 to 2025
Are Layoffs Driving Up Polish Unemployment in 2025?
Layoffs have had a limited impact on overall unemployment, but sectors like automotive and construction face growing challenges. A recent slowdown in the German market, coupled by rising employment and energy costs have forced some companies to make hard decisions.
A recent story from the leading Polish news site bankier.pl explains some of the challenges affecting unemployment in Poland today. Importantly, it highlights how job offers received by the public jobcentre network have dropped by more than 10 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, a recent report by Element and Grant Thornton showed a growth in jobs on major Polish job portals in March this year. The data showed that there were over 11 percent more jobs than in March 2024.
It’s a mixed story. But generally sentiment in Poland remains good. Almost half of Poles feel comfortable with their financial situation, according to a recent survey. The ones that feel less comfortable are workers in the automotive and construction sectors.
Which Polish Sectors Face the Worst Talent Shortages in 2025?
We recently wrote a story about Why Poland Needs 700,000 More IT Specialists by 2035. The story is a big endorsement of Poland’s strong tech sector which is set to grow over the next decade.
Another sector that continues to grow in Poland is the business services sector. In an ABSL report from June 2024 there were reported to be 457,100 employees working in the sector. Krakow and Warsaw are the two biggest hubs with over 100,000 employees each working in the sector. There have been some layoffs in the space, notably Atos, UBS, and others. But there is no sign of the sector shrinking any time soon.
Sectors that are less fortunate include automotive and construction. According to a Business Insider story from this week the public sector will continue to grow with projects like Rail Baltica (worth over 1 billion euros) already in place. On the other hand, bankier.pl highlighted how the private sector is struggling in the construction and automotive industries. Suggested a “cooling” phase leading to a risk of higher unemployment levels.
Why Hiring Has Never Been Harder in Poland – The Data
Whether unemployment levels increase or decrease there are still challenges ahead in Poland. In a recent survey by Mercer it was highlighted the problem companies face in the hunt for talent. New skills are in demand which the market isn’t necessarily able to keep up with. Just like the story about 700,000 specialists needed in Poland’s tech sector highlights a need for talent.
In another survey, this time from ManpowerGroup in Poland, it was highlighted how companies are addressing the shortage of talents. Most employers (28 percent) have addressed the lack of talent by raising salaries of existing talents. 26 percent are increasing training spend. Other initiatives listed include looking for talents on the market (21 percent). Increasing the availability of flexible working or hours worked (19 percent). The list even includes using AI and automation to mitigate for the lack of talent (13 percent).
The war for talent continues. Poland has managed to adapt to this trend so far. But the question is can it continue to produce the talent needed for the next era of work?
How to Compete for Talent in Poland’s Tight Market
At Verita HR, we’re no strangers to these challenges. Since 2010, we’ve been at the forefront of Poland’s tech and business services revolution. We know that attracting and engaging with talent isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about crafting a strategy that resonates with Poland’s talent pool. That’s why we’re embracing 2025 trends like hybrid working, offering flexibility that empowers your teams to thrive.
We are using AI to enhance candidate experiences while keeping the human touch at the core. We’ll help you build an Employee Value Proposition (EVP). One that speaks to what Polish professionals value most: growth, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
Verita HR has placed candidates in IT, finance, and business services across Warsaw, Kraków and five other Polish cities since 2010. If you’re hiring in a talent-short sector, contact to our recruitment team.
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Author: Andy Samu
See Also:
Why Poland Needs 700,000 More IT Specialists by 2035 – Verita HR
What Defines Talent in 2025? – Verita HR
Gen Z in the Workplace: What Poland’s HR Leaders Need to Know – Verita HR
