Polish workers are among the most burdened in the European Union. In 2025, the average duration of the work week in the country was 38 hours, which significantly exceeds the average indicator in the EU. Entrepreneurs, in particular, dedicate more time to work compared to hired employees. This is reported by InPoland, referencing a report from the Polish Economic Institute.
The Work Week in Poland is Longer than the EU Average
According to the research, Poland ranked fifth among EU countries in terms of working hours. Only residents of Lithuania and Bulgaria (38.6 hours per week), Romania (38.4 hours), and Latvia (38.3 hours) work more.
For comparison, the average work week in the EU in 2025 was 35 hours.
The least time at work is spent by residents of the Netherlands (29.7 hours per week), Denmark (32.4 hours), Belgium (32.6 hours), Austria (33 hours), and Germany (33.4 hours).
Entrepreneurs Work Even More
The research showed that self-employed individuals and business owners work longer than hired employees.
In Poland, entrepreneurs without hired employees worked an average of 41.4 hours per week. Those who run a business and have staff spent about 43.7 hours on work each week.
In comparison, the average for entrepreneurs without employees in the EU is 38.4 hours per week.
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Why a Longer Work Week Doesn't Guarantee Better Results
The authors of the study also pointed out another feature of the Polish labor market. Only 6.2% of workers in the country are employed part-time. This is one of the lowest rates in the European Union, where the average level of part-time employment reaches 17.7%.
The highest number of part-time workers is recorded in the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany.
At the same time, experts emphasize that a greater number of hours worked does not always mean higher labor productivity or better economic results.
It should be noted that there is a gradual decrease in the number of Ukrainians in the labor market in Poland. Some Ukrainian labor migrants are returning home, while others are moving to Western European countries in search of higher wages.