Unemployment in Poland is the highest in 5 years. Experts pointed out the reasons
There are fewer and fewer vacancies waiting for applicants. Experts point out that companies are now refraining from looking for workers – writes today’s “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”.
The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy presented preliminary data on the unemployment rate in February. It amounted to 6.1 percent, i.e. 0.1 percentage point. more than in January 2026. If these data are confirmed (the final reading will be presented by the Central Statistical Office at the end of the month), it will be the worst result since April 2021, when 6.3 percent was recorded.
The estimated data do not surprise experts. – This increase was expected and resulted primarily from seasonal factors typical for this period – comment PKO BP economists.
Unemployment rate up. Experts point out the reasons
The daily points out that the increase in the unemployment rate in February may also result from a reduction in financing for activation programs. This year, 5.2 thousand people took advantage of them. people, compared to 19.6 thousand a year earlier. The increase in unemployment adjusted for this factor looks much less disturbing – 27.3 thousand, compared to 28.5 thousand. a year earlier. Experts from Santander Bank Polska indicate that this means that “the above-average increase in unemployment in February does not indicate a sudden deterioration of the labor market.” However, if reduced support for the unemployed continues, it may lead to further increases in the unemployment rate.
According to the Central Statistical Office data quoted by the newspaper, 85.8 thousand were recorded in the last quarter of 2025. vacancies, which means a decrease of 9.4%. compared to the same period in 2024. The job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of last year was 0.71%. and was by 0.07 percentage point. lower than the quarter before and by 0.03 percentage points. lower year-on-year.
The daily points out that the decline in the number of vacancies and the job vacancy rate indicates that demand has cooled – companies are less likely to look for new workers and have adopted a wait-and-see strategy.
However, Santander Bank Polska economists point out that in the last quarter of last year, after seasonality, the number of vacancies in relation to all jobs in the economy increased slightly compared to the previous quarter and thus interrupted the downward trend from the previous quarters. – These data confirm that the demand for new employees was relatively weak throughout last year – emphasize the bank’s experts.
