Unemployment on the Rise in Poland
Poland's labor market faced significant pressure in early 2026, with a sharp increase in unemployment and mass layoffs across major businesses and industrial sectors, particularly in manufacturing. This economic shift comes as the country navigates broader European economic headwinds. During January and February, companies announced plans to cut 9,060 jobs, a figure 50% higher than the same period in 2025. Employment in the processing industry fell by 1.4% year-on-year, equating to the loss of approximately 34,000 positions. The total number of people employed in this sector dropped to 2.37 million.
By February 2026, Poland's unemployment rate had reached 6.1%, an increase of 0.7 percentage points from the same month the previous year. The number of registered unemployed individuals grew by 12.8%, reaching 954.9 thousand. However, this trend was not uniform across the economy. The number of officially employed foreigners in January-February 2026 rose by 9% to 1.291 million, with the number of working Ukrainians increasing by 9.9%.
Sectors Experiencing the Greatest Shifts
Expert Yevhen Kyrychenko noted that a review of the largest public cases from December 2025 to March 2026 shows at least 10 well-known companies planning to lay off 4,000 to 4,500 workers. This aligns with broader trends confirmed by official statistics.
“These processes correlate with the dynamics of industrial production. January and February saw an actual stagnation in sales, with declines in specific segments: metal products (-3.7%), electrical equipment (-3%), cars and components (-1.4%), and furniture (-2.7%). External conditions are creating additional pressure. In February, new industrial orders for export contracts fell by 3% year-on-year, while January saw a 4.6% drop in exports,” Kyrychenko pointed out.
The most significant employment losses were recorded in these sectors:
- Automotive industry (-3.4%)
- Furniture manufacturing (-3.1%)
- Machinery and metal products manufacturing (both -1.2%)
In contrast, positive employment dynamics were observed in areas such as:
- Transport equipment manufacturing (+2.6%)
- Hotels and restaurants (+2.1%)
- Electronics (+1.7%)
- Logistics (+0.5%)
- Food industry (+0.3%)
Consequently, Poland's labor market presents a mixed picture, marked by job cuts in large enterprises on one hand, and employment growth in certain economic sectors on the other.
The rising unemployment points to serious challenges for the Polish economy, especially in the industrial sector, which is grappling with a production slump and falling export orders. This could have long-term implications for social stability, as increased joblessness affects public welfare. At the same time, job growth in specific sectors like hospitality and transport equipment manufacturing may indicate the labor market's potential to adapt to new economic conditions.