Who competes with Ukrainians on the labor market in Poland

  • December 23, 2024
Who competes with Ukrainians on the labor market in Poland

At the end of 2024, the majority of Ukrainians in Poland are actively working or looking for work. The high employment rate emphasizes the importance of employment for Ukrainian citizens.For many of them, work has become the main source of income, as well as a key factor that motivates them to stay in Poland despite new challenges and changes.

As of October this year, approximately 800 thousand Ukrainians are officially employed in Poland. At the same time, the labor market is changing and competition among applicants is growing. More and more labor migrants from other countries are coming to Poland, which creates additional pressure. Ukrainians have to adapt to new conditions, improve their qualifications or look for themselves in new sectors to remain competitive on the Polish labor market.

Changes on the labor market: how Ukrainians adapt to new conditions

Before the war, our fellow citizens, mostly men, made up the majority of the labor force in Poland. At that time, about 60% of all applicants among foreigners were men. However, with the outbreak of full-scale war in 2022, this figure dropped significantly and is now only 40%. This has created a significant labor shortage among Ukrainians, which in turn has stimulated an increase in demand for workers from Ukraine. Polish companies have shown more interest in Ukrainians due to the speed of the employment process. Despite this, companies that previously focused on a male workforce are now actively investing in training and skills development programs, trying to make jobs available to a wider range of candidates.

Related to this situation is a change in the behavior of Ukrainian workers. They have become more selective about their future place of work, as many are looking for stability and loyal working conditions. At the same time, Polish employers face frequent dismissals and rotation of employees, which complicates the situation on the labor market. This has led to wages in some positions starting to rise and working conditions improving. However, even in the face of increased competition, Polish employers continue to favor Ukrainians because of their efficiency, ability to adapt quickly and simplified employment procedures. This allows them to quickly find candidates and fill jobs.  

main-competitors

Main competitors of Ukrainians for jobs

According to the latest data of the Polish Social Insurance Administration, 1.1 million foreigners work in Poland, which significantly affects the labor market. Ukrainians maintain leadership among workers from abroad. At the end of 2024, 78% of all foreign workers in Poland were Ukrainians. Despite this, significant competition from citizens of other countries has emerged. Thus, a significant part of the Polish labor market is occupied by workers from the following countries:

  • Georgia-7%;
  • Belarus-7%;
  • Moldova-6%;
  • Colombia - 3%;
  • Zimbabwe - 3%;
  • Philippines - 2%;
  • Uzbekistan - 2%;
  • Rwanda-1%;
  • Armenia-1%.

They create serious competition for Ukrainians, because in Poland there is a growing demand for workers. In response to this, employers are forced to raise wages and improve working conditions, which is beneficial for Ukrainian labor migrants. It should be noted that there is no simplified employment procedure for citizens of the above countries, which makes their position in the labor market much more complicated.

The labor shortage is especially acute in the sectors that require specialists in technical professions. For example, electricians, plumbers, turners, drivers, painters, as well as in those areas where high qualifications are not required. Since the beginning of 2022, Poland has actively started to attract workers from other parts of the world such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. This was a consequence of the fact that due to the war in Ukraine, the number of men among Ukrainian migrants decreased significantly. This change contributed to the influx of new workers from other regions, which helped to compensate for the labor shortage in Poland.

Read also: Taxation for Ukrainians in Poland

The most popular jobs and salaries of Ukrainians in Poland 

Ukrainians have a wide range of job opportunities in Poland, which has been growing steadily since the war began. The demand for labor covers various fields of activity. Ukrainians who do not speak the language are often offered jobs in industries such as agriculture, logistics and processing. These may include positions in warehouses and food processing plants, where workers are required to perform mainly physical labor.

Ukrainian citizens with higher education and knowledge of the Polish language can obtain prestigious positions in the labor market. They often occupy highly qualified positions in various fields. The most common are management, finance and accounting.

According to the Gremi Personal agency, Ukrainians working in positions without language requirements or specialized qualifications can expect to earn between $1,100 and $1,400 in 2025. However, those who are highly qualified and speak Polish at a high level will earn significantly more. Their salary can start from 3500$ and reach 4000$. 

Prospects of Ukrainian workers

Due to their industriousness, flexibility and willingness to adapt, Ukrainians are valuable workers in many fields - from physical work to professions requiring specific qualifications.  However, competition in the labor market is gradually increasing, particularly due to migration from other countries. For Ukrainian citizens seeking to secure a stable income, it is important to improve their professional skills and knowledge of the Polish language, as this opens up access to better-paid positions. 

Despite this, work in Poland remains an opportunity for Ukrainians to earn a stable income, and for the Polish economy it is a key factor in maintaining its dynamics and growth. Thus, Ukrainian workers will continue to play an important role in the development of the neighboring country's labor market.


Elena Chernenko

Elena Chernenko

Elena is a recognized expert in the bus transportation industry. With a deep understanding of the industry and a wealth of experience, Elena has earned a reputation for reliability working with both large carriers and private companies. Her expertise includes route planning, safety analysis and efficiency of transportation solutions.

In her blog, Elena offers professional advice, reviews current market trends and shares her experience to help readers better understand the world of bus transportation.

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