January 2026 in Wrocław brought a deterioration in labour market conditions on a year-on-year basis, alongside signs of recovery in parts of the construction sector and a marked increase in the number of dwellings completed. Economic data showed a decline in sold industrial output, an increase in retail sales, and weaker wholesale performance compared with January 2025.
Average Employment in the Enterprise Sector
Average employment in the enterprise sector amounted to 192.9 thousand full-time equivalents in January 2026. This represented a decrease of 0.2% compared with December 2025 and 0.9% compared with January 2025. Month-on-month employment declined, among others, in construction, information and communication, and industry, while increases were recorded in real estate activities, culture and recreation, and transport and storage.
On an annual basis, declines in average employment were observed in information and communication, industry, and professional, scientific and technical activities. Employment growth was recorded, among others, in real estate activities, accommodation and food services, and transport and storage.
Registered Unemployment
At the end of January 2026, the number of registered unemployed stood at 9,460. This represented an increase of 3.0% compared with the end of December 2025 and 36.7% compared with January 2025. The number of unemployed women amounted to 4,515, accounting for 47.7% of the total unemployed.
The registered unemployment rate stood at 2.3% (unchanged from the previous month), compared with 1.7% a year earlier. For comparison, the unemployment rate in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship was 5.6%, while the national rate was 6.0%.
In January 2026, 1,265 individuals were newly registered as unemployed, while 990 were removed from the register. Of those deregistered, 629 found employment. A total of 83.9% of registered unemployed persons were not entitled to unemployment benefits.
In January 2026, 245 job vacancies were reported to labour offices. At the end of the month, there were 32 unemployed persons per job offer (15 a month earlier and 6 a year earlier).
The unemployment data note that a new Act on the Labour Market and Employment Services has been in force since 1 June 2025, which may affect the comparability of certain data with previous periods.
Wages in the Enterprise Sector
The average monthly gross wage in the enterprise sector amounted to PLN 9,990.26 in January 2026. This was 0.9% lower than in December 2025, but 5.8% higher than in January 2025. On a monthly basis, wage declines were recorded, among others, in culture, entertainment and recreation, and in administrative and support service activities, while increases were observed in professional, scientific and technical activities, accommodation and food services, and industry.
Construction: Sold Production and Construction-Montage Output
Sold production of construction amounted to PLN 663.4 million (current prices) in January 2026. Compared with December 2025, it was 56.0% lower, while compared with January 2025 it was 27.0% higher.
Construction and assembly output reached PLN 268.5 million, accounting for 40.5% of total sold construction production. It declined by 59.3% compared with the previous month, but increased by 27.7% year-on-year. Growth compared with January 2025 was recorded in specialised construction activities and in civil engineering works, while a decline was observed in building construction.
Labour productivity in construction, measured as production per employee, amounted to PLN 60.1 thousand. It was 54.9% lower than in the previous month and 29.3% higher than a year earlier.
Trade: Retail and Wholesale
Retail sales in January 2026 were 17.1% lower than in December 2025, but 14.7% higher than in January 2025. Compared with the previous month, declines were recorded, among others, in sales of newspapers and books, textiles, clothing and footwear, and pharmaceuticals, while sales of motor vehicles and parts increased.
Wholesale sales in trading enterprises in January 2026 were 16.6% lower than a month earlier and 0.5% lower than a year earlier. In wholesale enterprises, sales were 9.4% lower month-on-month, while increasing by 4.3% year-on-year.
Industry
Sold industrial production amounted to PLN 2,430.9 million in January 2026. In constant prices, it was 4.5% lower than in January 2025. In manufacturing, sold production declined by 8.1%. Decreases were recorded, among others, in printing and reproduction of recorded media and in the manufacture of products from non-metallic mineral materials, while increases were observed in the repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment and in the manufacture of textiles.
Labour productivity in industry, measured as the value of sold production per employee, amounted to PLN 67.8 thousand and was 1.2% lower in constant prices than a year earlier.
Housing Construction
According to preliminary data, 590 dwellings were completed in Wrocław in January 2026, representing an increase of 32.0% compared with January 2025. Growth was recorded both in dwellings intended for sale or rent (from 433 to 575 units) and in individual housing (from 14 to 15 units).
In January 2026, construction began on 33 dwellings, marking a decline of 93.0% compared with January 2025. The number of dwellings for which building permits were granted or construction was notified with a building design amounted to 334, down 31.7% year-on-year.
The average usable floor area of completed dwellings was 59.8 m², 4.6 m² larger than a year earlier. In individual housing, the average floor area was 164.4 m², while in dwellings intended for sale or rent it was 57.1 m².
Entities of the National Economy (REGON)
At the end of January 2026, there were 161,293 entities registered in the REGON register in Wrocław. Compared with December 2025, this represented an increase of 221 entities, and compared with January 2025 an increase of 5,983 entities (3.9%).
Among the registered entities were 61,287 legal persons and organisational units without legal personality, including 37,724 commercial companies. The number of natural persons conducting business activity amounted to 100,006.
In January 2026, 1,035 new entities were entered into the REGON register, while 714 were removed. At the end of the month, 22,717 entities had suspended their business activity.
