Polish job vacancy market sees gradual recovery, service and manual labour sectors lead growth

The Polish job vacancy market is showing signs of steady recovery, according to the latest Job Vacancy Barometer prepared by the Department of Economics and Finance at WSIiZ in Rzeszów and the Bureau of Investment and Economic Cycles (BIEC). The barometer, which tracks job advertisements posted online, has been providing insight into the Polish labour market for 20 years. Over this time, significant transformations have occurred, including a sharp rise in vacancies and a marked drop in unemployment rates. Despite these advances, the labour market continues to evolve, influenced by technological, demographic, and social changes.

In September 2024, the Barometer recorded its fourth consecutive increase, marking the largest jump since April. With the exception of May, job vacancies have been on the rise throughout the year, though growth has been modest. Vacancies hit a low point at the end of 2023, but this year’s improvements have pushed them back to levels last seen in the first half of 2021.

The current increase in job openings is being driven largely by employers in the service sector and those offering manual labour roles. In fact, vacancies for manual labour positions hit an all-time high in September. Job postings in the service sector have also been increasing steadily for the past seven months, edging closer to their previous peak in April 2022. Additionally, there has been a slow but steady rise in job ads targeting candidates with social sciences backgrounds since March, although overall numbers remain below previous years’ levels.

However, the market for vacancies requiring science degrees continues to shrink. September marked the sixth consecutive month of decline in these postings, though there are tentative signs that the downward trend may be slowing.

Regional and Sector-Specific Trends

Across Poland, most voivodeships saw a rise in online job advertisements in September. The provinces of Podlaskie, Wielkopolskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie recorded the largest increases, while Lubuskie, Świętokrzyskie, and Zachodniopomorskie experienced the biggest declines. Interestingly, the rise in job ads was similar across provinces with both high and low unemployment rates.

The registered unemployment rate, excluding those engaged in seasonal work, dropped by 0.1 percentage points in August to 5.1%, following two months of increases. Despite fluctuations in the number of job vacancies, the unemployment rate has remained relatively stable during recent economic turbulence.

Occupations and Job Types

Looking at specific occupations, job openings at the end of 2023 had fallen across all major groups, but not all have rebounded. For example, roles requiring higher education (such as specialists, technicians, and office workers) have seen fewer vacancies in 2024 compared to early 2021. Conversely, jobs for machinery operators, assemblers, and employees performing simple tasks have risen, though numbers for the latter group remain below 2021 levels.

Some sectors, including healthcare and customer service, have seen stronger growth. Vacancies for health professionals (group 22) and drivers, food service workers, and construction labourers have been on the rise since the start of 2024. In contrast, job postings for IT professionals and those in physical, mathematical, and technical sciences continue to decline.

Contract Types and Work Modes

While full-time work remains the most common type of employment offered, the proportion of part-time and temporary positions has grown in recent years. Notably, employers are increasingly offering business-to-business (B2B) contracts, especially for roles in technical fields like electronics and mechanics. However, more traditional employment contracts remain dominant.

Remote and hybrid work options, which spiked in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, have declined since reaching a peak in 2023. Hybrid work is still more common than fully remote roles, though both have been gradually falling in favor as employers push for a return to the office. Mobile job roles, particularly for street vendors, drivers, and waste loaders, have remained stable at around 15% in 2024.

Outlook

As the Polish labour market continues to adjust to ongoing changes, including the growing importance of digital skills and the rise of flexible work models, job seekers and employers alike will need to remain agile. With a broad range of sectors showing signs of recovery, particularly in services and manual labor, Poland’s job market is gradually climbing out of its post-pandemic slump. However, challenges remain for sectors requiring specialized education, where vacancies are still falling.

Authors: Robert Pater and Herman Cherniaiev
Source: WSIiZ and BIEC