Foreign Workers in Poland Rise 7.2% to 1.14 Million as Labour Demand Grows

THE number of foreigners working in Poland increased by 7.2% in 2025 to reach 1.14 million, according to new figures released by Statistics Poland (GUS).

The data show that foreign nationals now account for nearly seven percent of all workers in the country, highlighting Poland’s growing dependence on international labour to support its economy.

Ukrainians remained the largest group of foreign workers in Poland, accounting for 67.6% of the total number. As of December 31, 2025, there were 771,800 Ukrainians employed in the country.

Belarusians formed the second-largest group with 118,900 workers, followed by Georgians with 24,210. Indians numbered 23,004, while there were 19,261 Colombians and 15,053 Filipinos working in Poland.

Among the major nationalities, Colombians recorded the highest growth rate in 2025, with their numbers rising by 21.3%. Indians followed with a 9.1% increase, while the number of Ukrainian workers grew by 8.1%.

Poland has traditionally been known as a country from which people emigrated in search of better opportunities abroad. However, over the last decade, the country has experienced a significant rise in immigration, making it one of the leading destinations for migrants in Europe.

Between 2017 and 2022, Poland issued more first residence permits to immigrants from outside the European Union than any other EU member state. The arrival of large numbers of Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further increased those figures.

By sector, foreign workers had the highest presence in administrative and support service activities, where they represented 25.3% of employment. This category includes employment agencies and job placement services.

Foreign nationals also accounted for 17.8% of workers in accommodation and food service activities, while they made up 15.1% of employment in transport and storage.

Much of the increase in immigration occurred during the rule of the Law and Justice (PiS) government between 2015 and 2023, despite its anti-migration rhetoric. The current coalition government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk took office promising to reduce immigration levels.

Under the Tusk administration, Poland issued the lowest number of residence permits to non-European Union immigrants in a decade during 2024. In 2025, the government introduced stricter entry requirements for foreign workers and students and increased deportations of foreigners who broke the law.

Despite these measures, the number of foreign workers has continued to rise as Poland’s expanding economy and ageing population continue to create strong demand for labour.