Fewer Ukrainians in Polish workforce as employers shift hiring focus

The number of Ukrainian workers employed in Polish companies has declined over the past year, according to the latest Polish Labour Market Barometer by Personnel Service. Currently, Ukrainians are employed in 28% of companies across Poland, compared to 43% a year earlier—a drop of 15 percentage points. Large enterprises remain the most reliant on this workforce, employing Ukrainians in 46% of cases, while medium-sized companies report 32%, and small businesses just 6%.

The shift is also reflected in data from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians made up 74% of all employed foreigners in Poland. By the end of November 2024, their share had declined to 66%. Over the past year, the number of insured foreign workers in Poland rose by 64,500, but only 13,400 of these were Ukrainians. In contrast, Belarusians recorded the largest increase, with 22,300 more people entering the workforce.

Despite this drop, demand for workers remains high, with over 100,000 job vacancies still open across the Polish labour market. However, employers are increasingly cautious. Many anticipate either a worsening economic climate or stagnation, which has made them hesitant to expand their workforce. This cautious approach applies equally to hiring both Polish nationals and foreign workers.

Krzysztof Inglot, labour market expert and founder of Personnel Service, explains that Ukrainians continue to be the first choice for many companies when seeking foreign labour. But when these candidates are unavailable, businesses are becoming more open to workers from other countries.

Ukrainians in the Polish workforce still predominantly occupy lower-level roles, with 45% of companies reporting employment in these positions. However, there has been a noticeable shift in the employment structure: the proportion of Ukrainians in mid-level positions has grown by 18 percentage points and now stands at 40%. A smaller share, 9%, are in higher-level roles.

In terms of pay, most Ukrainian workers continue to earn close to the minimum wage. Around 41% of companies offer wages in the range of PLN 30.5 to 34.9 gross per hour. Another 20% pay between PLN 35 and 39.9 gross per hour, while only 7% of employers offer rates above PLN 40.

The changing composition of the workforce is prompting employers to look beyond Ukraine. According to the survey, 21% of businesses expressed interest in hiring from countries other than Ukraine. Belarusian workers remain the most sought-after after Ukrainians, but there is also growing openness to labour from Asia. Approximately 36% of companies are considering candidates from India, Nepal, the Philippines, or Bangladesh.

ZUS data supports this trend. As of November 2024, 1.2 million foreign workers were registered in Poland’s social insurance system. Following Ukrainians, the largest groups were Belarusians (135,600) and Georgians (26,500). The number of Asian workers is also rising, with 22,600 Indian citizens, 14,600 Filipinos, 10,500 Vietnamese, and 9,300 Nepalese now employed in Poland.

The data was collected via a national online survey conducted between 20 and 28 January 2025 using the CAWI method. The employer sample included 329 companies of varying sizes—small (up to 10 employees), medium (10–49), and large (50–249).

Source: Personal Service

EU car trade surplus reaches €89.3 billion in 2024 despite fewer vehicles traded

In 2024, the European Union exported 5.4 million cars and imported 4.0 million. While the number of vehicles traded decreased compared to 2019—exports fell by 13.2% and imports by 3.0%—the overall value of car trade rose significantly. The EU exported €165.2 billion worth of cars and imported €75.9 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €89.3 billion.

The rise in trade values, despite a decline in volumes, reflects a general increase in car prices over the five-year period. Compared to 2019, the value of car exports increased by 17.7% (€24.8 billion), and imports rose by 20.0% (€12.7 billion).

The United States and the United Kingdom were the EU’s largest export markets for cars in 2024, accounting for €38.9 billion and €34.3 billion, respectively. China ranked third with €14.5 billion, followed by Türkiye (€12.0 billion) and Switzerland (€8.5 billion). Among these, Türkiye saw the largest growth in exports from the EU between 2019 and 2024, with an increase of 364.1%. In contrast, exports to China declined by 22.3% over the same period.

On the import side, China and Japan were the main sources of cars entering the EU, with values of €12.7 billion and €12.3 billion, respectively. The United Kingdom supplied €11.0 billion worth of cars, followed by Türkiye (€9.1 billion) and the United States (€8.4 billion). The sharpest increase in imports came from China, where the value of cars sent to the EU surged by 1591.3% since 2019. Meanwhile, imports from the UK dropped by 17.1%.

These figures highlight ongoing shifts in global car trade dynamics, with rising values driven by price increases and changing trade patterns among key partners.

Source: Eurostat

Czech households saw modest income growth in 2024 amid declining savings and lower corporate profits

In 2024, household income in the Czech Republic rose by 1.5% in real terms compared to the previous year, according to data from the Czech Statistical Office. Real consumption per capita grew at a slightly faster rate of 2.4% year-on-year. At the same time, the household saving rate fell by 0.9 percentage points to 18.8%.

The average monthly income from employment reached CZK 49,067 in 2024, marking a 3.3% increase in real terms compared to 2023.

Despite the rise in household income and consumption, investment by households declined slightly. The household investment rate dropped by 0.3 percentage points to 10.8%.

Q4 2024 Developments

During the fourth quarter of 2024, household income per capita grew by 1.8% year-on-year and by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter. Real consumption rose 3.4% year-on-year and 1.5% quarter-on-quarter. The average monthly income from employment increased to CZK 52,363, up 3.9% year-on-year in real terms.

However, the household saving rate decreased to 18.3% in Q4, falling 1.3 percentage points year-on-year. The household investment rate also declined slightly to 10.7%.

Corporate Sector: Lower Profit and Investment Rates

Non-financial corporations experienced a drop in profitability in 2024. The annual profit rate fell by 1.6 percentage points to 45.4%, though it remained above the EU average of approximately 40%. Labour costs in the sector rose by 6.2% year-on-year.

The corporate investment rate also declined by 1.1 percentage points to 26.5%. Despite these declines, nominal profit levels increased.

In the fourth quarter alone, the profit rate was 44.3%, down 3.0 percentage points year-on-year. Investment activity remained flat quarter-on-quarter, holding at 26.9%, but declined compared to Q4 2023.

External Sector: High Outflow of Profits

Foreign owners of Czech corporations collected profits equivalent to 6.9% of GDP in 2024, totalling CZK 553 billion. Of this, more than CZK 360 billion was distributed as dividends, while over CZK 192 billion was reinvested.

According to Vladimír Kermiet, Director of the National Accounts Department at CZSO, these outflows were partially offset by inflows from employment income and subsidies from abroad. Nonetheless, the balance of primary income from abroad worsened by CZK 238 billion year-on-year, resulting in a deficit of CZK 348 billion.

National Economy: Mild GDP Growth

The inclusion of updated government sector data led to a refined GDP estimate. The Czech economy expanded by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2024 and by 1.8% compared to the same period in 2023.

For the full year, GDP grew by 1.0% in real terms. However, gross national income declined by 0.8% and gross disposable income for the entire economy dropped by 0.9%, reflecting the deteriorated balance of income from abroad.

Tom Herrschaft appointed Head of Real Estate Management at GARBE Industrial Real Estate

GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH has appointed Tom Herrschaft as its new Head of Real Estate Management. In this position, he will oversee portfolio management across Germany and contribute to the strategic development of GARBE’s real estate operations. He will report directly to Andrea Agrusow, Managing Director of GARBE Industrial.

Herrschaft will be responsible for managing five regions and six branch offices within Germany. The company currently oversees more than 230 properties, covering a total area of approximately seven million square metres.

Prior to joining GARBE, Herrschaft held the role of Head of Retail at Commerz Real, where he managed a global portfolio valued at over three billion euros. His previous experience also includes senior positions at Hudson’s Bay Company/Galeria Kaufhof and a supervisory board role at Galeria Logistik. He began his career at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, with a focus on asset management and strategic portfolio optimisation.

Commenting on his new role, Herrschaft noted that he aims to further develop GARBE’s service approach, with an emphasis on aligning property management with the needs of tenants and investors.

GARBE Industrial Real Estate is part of GARBE Industrial Holding, which also includes GARBE Reside and GARBE Infrastructure. This structure supports the group’s “Sheds, Beds & Infrastructure” strategy introduced in 2024, aimed at consolidating operations and strengthening its presence across logistics, industrial, retail, and related property segments.

Nhood unveils long-term ESG strategy to lead global urban regeneration by 2030

Nhood has announced the adoption of a new ESG strategy, aiming to become a global leader in urban regeneration by 2030. The initiative, titled Nhooders Impact Generation, outlines a detailed roadmap that integrates environmental, social, and governance goals across the company’s operations.

According to CEO Antoine Grolin, the strategy places a strong emphasis on employees—referred to internally as “Nhooders”—and reflects the company’s broader ambition to turn real estate into more sustainable and inclusive spaces. Grolin highlights that this approach is designed to benefit not only the company and its clients but also the wider environment and society.

The plan includes a structured framework to assess the impact of Nhood’s activities in four areas: people, planet, profit, and governance. The roadmap is aligned with the Business Climate Convention standards and is intended to promote long-term sustainability by renewing environmental resources while addressing social needs.

Among the key actions outlined is the establishment of the Nhooders Academy, a training platform to enhance ESG-related skills across the company. This initiative is expected to be available to all stakeholders by 2030. Additionally, Nhood is introducing a low-carbon mobility policy with the goal of reducing CO2e emissions from business travel by 40% by the end of the decade. The plan includes transitioning to sustainable air travel and setting emission limits per team.

Nhood also plans to launch a new ESG business line by 2030 to support its clients in their own sustainability efforts. It intends to promote innovation through a dedicated unit that will develop solutions, publish research, and propose industry-wide changes. A biodiversity initiative is also in place, aiming to plant 100,000 trees within Nhood’s projects by 2030.

The company will work with suppliers to incorporate ESG clauses into contracts, with a goal of achieving full Ecovadis certification across all agreements by 2026.

Christian Lema, Global Head of ESG at Nhood, emphasised that the strategy seeks to balance the needs of local communities with sustainable development. “We want to position Nhood as a responsible global leader in property management. To do so, we must lead by example and encourage broader industry engagement,” he said.

Smart living for greater independence: unique Czech facility supports adults with autism

The Czech Republic continues to face a shortage of specialised social services for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), leaving many individuals heavily reliant on the care of their families. World Autism Awareness Day, marked annually on 2 April, highlights the ongoing need to develop support systems that promote greater independence and a higher quality of life for people with autism.

Projects like New Home in Mokrá u Brna offer a promising model. As the only residential facility of its kind in the South Moravian Region, it provides a family-style living environment enhanced by smart home technology, allowing residents to enjoy more autonomy while staying safe and supported.

Promoting independence is a core principle of the New Home project. The facility was designed from the ground up with this goal in mind—without compromising on safety. Smart technologies were integrated into the design phase to ensure this balance. The home features a sophisticated system of sensors—on windows, doors, and other key areas—which notify staff via mobile devices or audio alerts in case of any unusual activity.

“The audio notifications have been particularly helpful,” says Martina Lintnerová, head of the New Home social service. “Some are even customised for individual residents to remind them when it’s time to carry out certain activities.”

“If a resident opens the door to the garden, for instance, an assistant is instantly notified,” adds Pavel Lískovec, Branch Manager at Loxone CZ. “This system allows staff to maintain oversight without constantly intruding on residents’ privacy. Automation handles many routine monitoring tasks, which has also reduced staffing needs. At night, just one assistant is sufficient, resulting in significant annual cost savings—amounting to hundreds of thousands of crowns.”

For more information visit the link below:

AFI appoints Karin Shalev Shogol as new CEO for Czech Republic

Real estate investment and development company AFI has appointed Karin Shalev Shogol as the new CEO of its operations in the Czech Republic. She succeeds Doron Klein, who after more than 14 years in the role, will shift focus to broader responsibilities within the group. Klein will continue as Deputy CEO of AFI Group and CEO of AFI Romania.

Shalev Shogol previously served as Regional Manager and COO for AFI in Germany between 2009 and 2017, overseeing both residential and commercial portfolios. In recent years, she held leadership roles at WeWork, Elevation, and Plentific, managing operations in Germany. Her return to AFI marks a continuation of her work with the group, now focused on leading its Czech portfolio and contributing to its development in the Central European region.

Avi Barzilay, CEO of AFI Group, welcomed the appointment and acknowledged Klein’s contributions, noting that the transition aligns with the group’s broader strategic direction. Klein will remain involved with the Czech business as part of his group-level responsibilities.

Karin Shalev Shogol brings with her international experience across real estate and operational management. In her new role, she will focus on the ongoing development of AFI’s projects in the Czech Republic and support the company’s regional growth plans.

She is fluent in Hebrew, English, German, and Romanian. Outside of work, she has an interest in travel, culture, literature, and spending time with her family.

ATAL expands residential offering in Kraków with new phase of Strefa Cegielnia 3

Developer ATAL has introduced an additional 137 residential units as part of the next phase of its Strefa Cegielnia 3 housing estate in the Zesławice district of Kraków. The new phase will consist of three four-storey buildings and adds to the growing development in the area. Apartment prices in this phase range from PLN 10,800 to 13,200 per square metre in the developer’s standard.

The available apartments range in size from 29 to 83 square metres and include layouts with one to four rooms. Depending on the floor, units come with balconies, loggias, or ground-floor gardens. The buildings will include underground parking with space for 159 vehicles, along with additional storage units.

Strefa Cegielnia 3 is being developed on the site of a former brickyard that operated from the 1950s and supplied construction materials for Nowa Huta. The architecture of the new buildings incorporates elements referencing the site’s industrial past, using materials such as clinker brick, concrete, steel, and glass. The buildings are designed in neutral tones with simple forms and are intended to complement the surrounding urban landscape.

Outdoor features planned for the development include green spaces, recreation areas, and playgrounds for various age groups. Bicycle facilities, including racks and repair stations, will also be available.

The estate is located in an area undergoing infrastructure growth. Everyday services such as local shops, as well as childcare and educational facilities, are nearby. A nearby bus terminus provides public transport access to other parts of Kraków, while a nearby road junction connects the neighbourhood to the city’s northern ring road and the S7 expressway.

Residents will also have access to outdoor recreation areas such as the Zesławice Lagoon and Bieńczyckie Planty, which offer walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, and open-air gyms.

ATAL offers buyers the option of turnkey finishes through its ATAL Design programme. Four finishing packages are available—Invest, Basic, Optimum, and Premium—differing in materials and cost.

Torus secures financing from PKO Bank Polski for office project in Gdańsk

Real estate developer Torus has signed a EUR 20 million loan agreement with PKO Bank Polski to finance its latest office development, Punkt, located in the Wrzeszcz district of Gdańsk. The agreement provides financial support for the ongoing construction of the building, which is designed to meet high environmental and technical standards.

The financing arrangement was supported by legal advisory firm DLA Piper. The agreement was finalised with the involvement of teams from both institutions, including representatives from Torus and PKO Bank Polski.

Punkt is a mid-sized office building with six above-ground levels and one underground level, offering a total gross leasable area of nearly 12,800 square metres. The building is situated close to key public transport hubs, including train, bus, and tram stations, and is near major shopping centres such as Galeria Bałtycka and Galeria Metropolia. Its location enables convenient access to central Gdańsk, Sopot, and the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport.

The design, developed by architectural studio APA Wojciechowski, includes a number of functional and environmentally conscious features. These include 3-metre-high office spaces, tilt windows, a building management system, and a dedicated mobile app for building access and services. Facilities for cyclists are also incorporated into the project. Punkt is being developed to meet LEED v4 certification standards, reflecting a focus on energy efficiency, environmentally responsible materials, and overall occupant comfort.

The project is part of Torus’ broader development strategy in the Tricity area, where the company has previously delivered several commercial buildings. The Punkt development is expected to contribute to the local business infrastructure while meeting demand for modern office space in the region.

Poland: How much do the cheapest new apartments cost?

A recent survey conducted by the real estate website dompress.pl provides an overview of the cheapest new apartments currently offered by developers. The report outlines not only the prices of these flats, but also their sizes and the housing estates in which they are available. For further details or specific inquiries, readers are encouraged to contact the publication directly.

Tomasz Kaleta, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing at Develia
In our offer, the cheapest flats, priced at around PLN 380,000, are available in the Południe Vita investment in Gdańsk and in the Unia Lubelska project in Poznań. These are compact flats with an area of around 30 square metres.

The lowest prices per square metre, starting at PLN 8,000, are mainly for larger apartments in the Południe Vita housing estate in Gdańsk and the Ogrody Wojszyce housing estate in Wrocław. We design our offer so that in every location where we carry out investments, customers can find an apartment tailored to their needs and financial capabilities.

Agnieszka Majkusiak, Sales Director, Atal
In Gliwice, in the Ogrody Andersa development, we have a 26 sqm flat on sale for PLN 278,949. In the Skwer Harmonia project in Krakow, a 30 sqm flat is available for PLN 377,468. In Łódź, in the Atal Aura housing estate, a 26-square-metre studio apartment is available for PLN 303,624. In the Naramowice Odnova housing estate in Poznań, a 32-square-metre apartment costs PLN 372,528.

In the Poematu housing estate in Warsaw, a 35-square-metre flat is available for PLN 503,295. In the Strachowicka project in Wrocław, the cheapest flat with an area of 33 sqm can be bought for around PLN 430,000. In the Przyjemne housing estate in Gdańsk, a 27 sqm flat is on sale for PLN 363,768.

Mariusz Gajżewski, Head of Sales, Marketing and Communication BPI Real Estate Poland
The price of flats in our investments depends on the location and the standard of finish. The current cheapest flat in our offer is located in the Panoramiqa project in Poznań and costs PLN 444,715.

Katarzyna Mirota, Board Member, Matexi Polska
We have a diverse range of offers, in terms of investment standard, price and location. The cheapest apartments in terms of gross price for the whole are in Warsaw, in the Włochy area, in the XYZ Place investment. Prices here start at 544,000 for a studio apartment with an area of 28.36 sqm.

In the Krakow market, we offer the cheapest flats in the Takt Lirników development. The price of a studio flat with an area of 26.34 sqm is PLN 482,000.

Zuzanna Należyta, Commercial Director at Eco Classic
Currently, the cheapest offer in our portfolio is a 33-square-metre, two-room apartment available in the Wolne Miasto development in Gdańsk, with a total gross price of PLN 429,000.

Agata Zambrzycka, Sales and Marketing Director, Aurec Home
Our developments are located in green districts of Warsaw, such as Włochy, Ursus and Białołęka. In the Miasteczko Jutrzenki Dzielnica Lawendy, which offers the last three-room apartments, prices are around 820,000 PLN. On the other hand, in the industrial complex Fabrica Ursus, which offers apartments with a floor space of 32 square metres, prices start at 527 thousand PLN.

We have recently introduced the pre-sale of apartments in the new My Forest housing estate. This unique place is characterised by ecological solutions and a private forest with an area of 4,000 sqm available only to residents. Prices for apartments in My Forest start at PLN 421,000.

Anastasia Prusiecka, Sales Department Folwark Jankowice, Grupa Konkret
Currently, Grupa Konkret has one development on offer, located on the outskirts of the Poznań metropolitan area in Jankowice. The Folwark Jankowice project is a housing estate that combines intimate multi-family buildings, terraced houses and single-family houses. It is, therefore, an offer addressed to a wide group of customers. They have one thing in common. They want to live outside the city, surrounded by nature, and this is guaranteed by the nearly 18-hectare palace park, which is in the immediate vicinity of the development. Considering multi-family buildings, the cheapest apartments in our offer cost less than 390 thousand PLN gross. For this price, the customer receives a two-room apartment with an area of approximately 38 sqm with a balcony ranging from 8 to 10 sqm. Importantly, we still have such premises in buildings that have already been completed, so the customer receives the keys to their new home immediately after signing the notarial deed.

Michał Witkowski, Sales Director of Lokum Deweloper
The most affordable offer is in the Lokum la Vida development in Sołtysowice, Wrocław. A two-room apartment with an area of 33.1 square metres is available here for PLN 499,000. It includes a living room with a kitchenette, a bedroom and a bathroom. The apartment also has a loggia. It is an excellent choice for people looking for a starter apartment.

In the very popular Lokum Porto investment, located in the Old Town of Wrocław, we offer a 32.5 sqm apartment for PLN 599,000. It consists of a room with a kitchenette and a bathroom. Thanks to the well-thought-out layout, it is possible to separate a comfortable sleeping area. An additional advantage is the large loggia with an area of over 8 sqm. The excellent location of the housing estate makes it an interesting proposition for investors looking for premises to rent.

In the garden estate Lokum Verde, located in the Zakrzów district of Wrocław, we offer a three-room apartment with an area of 50.3 sqm, whose price in the developer standard is 669 thousand PLN. The flat has a living room with a kitchenette, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate toilet. The loggia offers a view of the green courtyard filled with various plants. It is an ideal option for people who value peace and proximity to nature.
In Sobótka, near Wrocław, in the unique Lokum Monte development, located right next to the Ślężański Landscape Park, we are offering the last available units. The cheapest of them is a two-level, four-room apartment with an area of 88.6 sqm, priced at PLN 649,000. Additional advantages include the intimate development of the housing estate, guaranteeing greater comfort of living and a sense of privacy, as well as a SPA zone with a swimming pool, available exclusively to residents.

Piotr Rojek, Sales Manager at Megapolis
As part of the ongoing investments carried out by Megapolis, we focus primarily on residential premises. The most affordable offers can be found in the OZON housing estate, located in the northern part of Krakow. These are flats with gardens, where the area of the green space often exceeds the size of the flat itself, which is an additional advantage. Similar proportions are also found in flats with spacious terraces.
The most favourable price, PLN 12,800 per sqm, is available for a 67 sqm flat with a 107 sqm garden. In addition to individually tailored conditions, we offer our clients a financing system that is unique on a provincial scale, 1% / 99%, which enables flexible and convenient purchase conditions, facilitating the implementation of the investment.

Agnieszka Gajdzik-Wilgos, Sales Manager at Ronson Development
In Warsaw, the cheapest flat in our offer is located in the Miasto Moje VIII investment. It is a 25.41 sqm flat and its price is PLN 424,724. In Poznań, the cheapest flat is in the Grunwald Między Drzewami II project. Its price is PLN 492,550.22 for 38.64 sqm.

In Wrocław, the lowest offer comes from the Viva Jagodno investment. A 48.17 sqm flat can be purchased for PLN 616,961. In Szczecin, on the other hand, the cheapest flat can be found at Nowa Północ 1B. A 26.09 sqm flat costs around PLN 300,000.

Łukasz Šedovič, Sales Director at Trust Investment S.A.
The cheapest flat in our offer is a one-room flat marked with the number M021, located in the ULTRADOM investment in Radom. The flat has an area of 26.60 sqm and its value is PLN 215,460.

Witold Kikolski, board member of MS Waryński Development S.A.
Currently, the Waryński Group is focusing on the Stacja Ligocka investment in Katowice. The cheapest flat in this project is a carefully designed unit with an area of over 38 square metres, with a total price of PLN 471,936 gross. The Stacja Ligocka investment is characterised by an excellent location, providing convenient access to public transport and full infrastructure, which makes it an attractive proposition for both first-time buyers and investors.

This flat is a perfect opportunity for people looking for a modern, functional flat in one of the most dynamically developing cities in Poland. Thanks to the appropriate layout of the space, it provides comfortable living conditions and at the same time constitutes a competitive offer on the local market.

Damian Tomasik, CEO of Alter Investment
Alter Investment is a land developer specialising in the acquisition, development and preparation of real estate for construction projects. Our business focuses on providing attractive plots of land with full legal and administrative preparation, including building permits.

We do not currently sell flats directly, but offer carefully selected investment sites that enable high-quality development projects to be realised. This allows our partners, developers and investors to start construction quickly and efficiently, responding to the needs of the housing market.

In the cities where we operate, we have land for both multi-family housing and commercial projects, including long-term rental properties. Our investments include strategic locations in dynamically developing regions, including the Tri-City.

Photo: XYZ Place, Matexi

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