Saturday, 1 November 2025
Poland’s labour market continued to display resilience in the second quarter of 2025, with steady employment and only a marginal shift in activity levels. However, the latest data from the national statistics office show that while wages remain considerably higher than a year ago, the pace of growth is beginning to ease.
The share of people either working or actively looking for work in Q2 2025 edged up slightly compared with the first quarter, maintaining one of the highest participation rates in the region. Employment levels remain stable, underlining the strength of Poland’s labour market despite weaker demand in some manufacturing and export-oriented sectors.
Average monthly earnings in the enterprise sector stood at just over PLN 8,900, a modest dip from the previous quarter but nearly 11% higher than the same period in 2024. The figures suggest that while wage growth has cooled since the rapid increases seen last year, real incomes continue to rise as inflation pressures ease.
The small quarterly decline in nominal pay points to a gradual normalisation of wage dynamics after two years of rapid increases driven by labour shortages and price volatility. Analysts note that the market is moving toward greater balance, with slower wage growth potentially helping employers manage costs without significant job losses.
For the property and business sectors, the data present a mixed picture. Strong year-on-year income growth supports household purchasing power, benefiting residential and retail segments, while the levelling off of wage momentum may reduce upward pressure on operating expenses for logistics, industrial, and service employers.
Overall, Poland’s workforce remains one of the most active in Central Europe, with stable employment and rising real earnings supporting domestic demand. The coming quarters will reveal whether this moderation in wage growth marks the beginning of a more sustainable phase for the Polish economy or a sign of broader cooling in the labour market.
