Ukrainians dominate Poland’s Foreign workforce as Poles shun certain sectors

Thus, in November 2025 alone, the number of insured people with Ukrainian citizenship in the country increased by nearly 7,900, reaching 862,060.

At the same time, the total number of foreigners insured in Poland’s ZUS social security system reached 1.295 million, about 9,500 more than a month earlier. Foreign workers accounted for roughly 7% of total employment in Poland.

“Thus, Ukrainians accounted for the main share of the monthly increase in foreign employment in Poland and continued to form the backbone of the country’s migrant labor market,” analysts said.

Gremi Personal also emphasized that Ukrainian migrants stand out not only for their numbers but also for their level of economic activity.

“Currently, about 80% of Ukrainians living in Poland are economically active — that is, they are employed and pay taxes and social contributions,” the statement said. “This is significantly higher than in Germany (about 25%) or Czechia (48%).”

According to Gremi Personal, most Ukrainian workers are traditionally employed in logistics, services, manufacturing, construction and transportation — sectors where labor shortages are chronic.

“Ukrainians primarily fill segments of the labor market that are unattractive to local workers,” Gremi Personal said. “Demand for jobs in sectors such as HoReCa, retail, logistics and manufacturing remains consistently high, while interest among Poles in low-skilled positions remains low. As a result, Ukrainians and other foreign workers continue to meet key business needs in these sectors.”

At the same time, analysts note that Ukrainians are increasingly unwilling to accept low-skilled jobs and are choosing employers who offer social protections and opportunities for professional development rather than short-term employment alone. These trends suggest that, in the long term, Ukrainian labor migrants could shift from being a temporary resource to becoming a stable pillar of Poland’s labor market.

As reported, over the first nine months of 2025 the average wage in Poland’s business sector rose by 8.2% year on year, reaching 8,750 zlotys ($2,200) in September.