The economic impact of Ukrainians: unemployment in Poland has reached a record low

Poland has recorded record low unemployment, and this result is largely due to an unexpected factor. Economists believe that the impact of migrants could be even greater if several barriers were removed. Find out what role Ukrainians have played and what this means for the future of the Polish economy

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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In January 2025, Poland set a record low unemployment rate in the country, falling to 2.6%, which is the lowest figure in the country's history and the best result among European Union countries. One of the key factors was the active participation of Ukrainians in the Polish labour market, which began with mass migration after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to inpoland, citing data from the UN and Deloitte.

Ukrainians in the Polish labour market

According to UN and Deloitte data, 69% of Ukrainian refugees of working age are already officially employed. This figure is practically the same as the employment rate among Polish citizens (75%). Thus, Ukrainians have not only integrated into the labour market, but also significantly supported its stability amid the European labour crisis.

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Contribution to the Polish economy

Ukrainians, who make up about 5% of the country's total workforce, contributed 15.1 billion zlotys (about 3.6 billion euros) to the Polish budget last year. These funds came from taxes and social contributions, demonstrating the importance of their presence for the national economy. Experts emphasise that this contribution is already comparable to the effect of large national industries.

Despite their successes, some Ukrainians face barriers, primarily linguistic and administrative. Limited knowledge of Polish makes it difficult to find more skilled work, and bureaucratic processes sometimes slow down the processing of documents. According to analysts' estimates, overcoming these problems could further increase the economic effect by an additional PLN 6 billion annually.

Overall, the successful integration of Ukrainians in Poland has set an example for the entire European Union. On the one hand, it has reduced unemployment and increased budget revenues, and on the other, it has shown that when conditions for adaptation are created, migrants can become a full-fledged part of the economic system.

For those planning their future in Europe, it is important to prepare in advance and take the new requirements into account. This can be facilitated by consultations with specialized lawyers who accompany the turnkey legalization process and help to avoid risks.

Reminder! Most Ukrainians in Poland have stable jobs, but only a small proportion feel fully integrated into local society. This creates risks for the Polish economy, especially in sectors with labour shortages. Find out what percentage of Ukrainians feel fully integrated and what consequences this has for Poland.

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