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Ukrainian nationals are demonstrating a robust and increasingly significant presence within the Polish labour market, with experts and recent data underscoring their crucial contribution to the nation's economic vitality.

Written by Krzysztof Ryncarz| Euractiv.pl

A comprehensive report released by the National Bank of Poland (NBP) in November 2024 sheds light on the extensive labour market participation of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland. The findings indicate that a substantial 78% of the total immigrant population from Ukraine was economically active in 2024, marking an upward trend from the 76 percent recorded in 2023.

Notably, the report highlights the strong professional engagement of those who arrived in Poland prior to the conflict in their homeland. In 2024, an impressive 93% of this group was professionally active, a slight dip from the 94% observed in the previous year.

Consequently, the NBP report unequivocally states that "immigrants from Ukraine exhibit a higher average rate of employment compared to Polish citizens."

Further analysis reveals that a significant majority of both pre-war immigrants (81.4%) and refugees (65.3%) from Ukraine are engaged in permanent employment within Poland. Temporary and seasonal work accounts for the primary employment type for 6.6% and 16.5% respectively, while entrepreneurial endeavors are pursued by 7.2% of pre-war immigrants and 4.7% of refugees.

Andrzej Kubisiak, Deputy Director of the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), emphasised the burgeoning trend of Ukrainian citizens establishing their own businesses in Poland.

"Over the two-year period spanning 2022 to 2024, one in ten newly registered sole proprietorships in Poland was founded by a Ukrainian citizen, in addition to the creation of numerous corporate entities. Cumulatively, over 90,000 such enterprises have been established," Kubisiak noted.

"Research suggests that foreign nationals exhibit a comparatively higher propensity for risk-taking, investment, and the development of venturesome entrepreneurial initiatives when contrasted with their domestic counterparts."

Growing presence in skilled occupations

The NBP data also points to an increasing number of Ukrainians securing employment in roles demanding specific qualifications.

"In comparison to 2023, the proportion of immigrants engaged in elementary occupations decreased from 53% to 44%. Simultaneously, the percentage of immigrants in positions requiring non-tertiary qualifications rose from 33 percent to 38 percent, and the proportion of immigrants utilising their higher education in their employment in Poland increased from 10% to 14%," the NBP report detailed.

Conversely, the percentage of immigrants in managerial roles experienced a marginal decrease, from 4% in 2023 to 3% in 2024.

Regarding income levels, the NBP research indicates that refugees generally report lower earnings, with 60 percent stating net monthly incomes not exceeding PLN 4,000. Among pre-war immigrants, this figure stands at approximately 40 percent. Despite these income disparities, employment remains the primary source of financial stability for the vast majority of Ukrainians.

"The primary source of sustenance for immigrants from Ukraine is employment. In the income composition of pre-war immigrants, earnings from work constitute an average of approximately 90 percent of their total income, while for refugees, this figure is 76 percent," the NBP report concluded, underscoring the critical role of employment in the economic integration of Ukrainians within Poland.