One in Twenty Polish Workers Now Hails from Ukraine, New Employment Figures Show

Ukrainian Nationals Constitute 5% of Poland's Workforce, Latest Data Reveals

According to ХВИЛЯ: As of early 2026, Ukrainian citizens account for one in every twenty workers in the Polish economy, highlighting their substantial contribution to the labor market. According to data published in November 2025, the number of officially employed Ukrainians has risen to 862,060, an increase of 7,900 from previous figures. This significant presence underscores the crucial role Ukrainians play across various economic sectors in Poland, a country that has become a primary destination for those displaced by the ongoing war.

Ukrainians now make up 67% of all foreign workers in Poland and represent 5% of the country's total employed population. The overall number of foreigners registered with the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) stands at 1.295 million. Notably, approximately 80% of Ukrainians residing in Poland are economically active, a rate far higher than the 48% seen among Ukrainians in the Czech Republic and the 25% in Germany.

Ukrainian Workers' Impact on the Polish Economy

Beyond raw numbers, trends show a third consecutive year of improvement in Polish language proficiency and increased social contact between Ukrainians and the local population. Concurrently, there has been a decline in the volume of remittances sent to Ukraine, which may signal shifts in the economic circumstances and priorities of these workers.

Ukrainian workers are heavily concentrated in several key industries:

• Logistics and Transport
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Services
• Retail
• Hospitality (HoReCa)

This data underscores the importance of Ukrainian labor to the Polish economy and its development. The growth in their numbers is likely driven by Poland's sustained demand for labor and improved conditions for foreign workers. The high economic activity rate suggests a strong drive to integrate and contribute to their host country. The decrease in remittances could reflect a shift in financial priorities, with workers potentially investing more in their lives within Poland.