The latest data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), conducted by the Central Statistical Office since 1992, show that the Polish labour market remains in good condition, with employment and unemployment indicators among the best in the European Union. The second quarter of 2025 brought both an increase in labour activity and confirmation of the strong position of workers in the labour market.
Stable employment growth and high labour activity
In the period April–June 2025, the employment rate among people aged 15–89 reached 50.3%, and among the economically active population 63.6%. The data confirm that more than half of Poles in this broad age group remain active in the labour market, and the situation is better than it was a few years ago.
The number of employed persons reached 17.2 million, which indicates a stabilisation of employment at a high level and confirms that despite the economic slowdown, Poland continues to maintain solid labour market fundamentals.
In the employment structure, employees working under an employment contract still dominate (13.9 million), while the group of self-employed persons also remains significant – 3.2 million.
Low unemployment persists despite economic challenges
The unemployment rate according to the LFS remains very low. In the second quarter of 2025 it amounted to:
- 2.8% – total,
- 3.1% – for men,
- 2.6% – for women.
These values are among the lowest in Europe, suggesting that companies continue to compete for workers and that the supply of available labour remains limited.
The structure of the unemployed reveals that the largest group consists of people who lost their job (503,000). Relatively small groups include:
- first-time job seekers – 129,000,
- people returning to the labour market after a break – 201,000.
The low number of new entrants to the labour market suggests that companies are rarely expanding their teams and that turnover remains limited.
Labour inactivity: dominance of students, pensioners and homemakers
The number of economically inactive persons in the second quarter of 2025 amounted to 12.7 million. This is a large and diverse group whose structure remains similar to previous years.
The main reasons for inactivity (ages 15–74):
- students and pupils – 5.1 million,
- pensioners – 2.38 million,
- persons taking care of the household – 1.04 million,
- ill or disabled persons – 0.75 million,
- other inactive persons – 1.39 million,
- unpaid assisting family members – 0.75 million.
This structure confirms that labour inactivity is mainly the result of natural factors – education, age and household responsibilities. The low number of inactive individuals declaring willingness to take up employment suggests that the labour reserve is limited.
Labour market outlook: moderate optimism and growing challenges
The analysis of the second quarter of 2025 clearly shows that the labour market in Poland remains strong, stable and well-balanced. Low unemployment, high employment levels and rising labour activity indicate that the foundations are solid.
At the same time, the shrinking labour reserve remains a challenge. The number of economically inactive persons changes only slightly, and the demographic structure – a growing share of seniors – suggests that in the coming years employers may face increasing difficulties in sourcing workers.
