The number of foreigners registered with Poland’s Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and paying contributions increased by 12,900 in May, reaching 1.329 million. This is the fastest monthly growth since autumn last year, driven mainly by Ukrainian workers who make up 891,500 of the total.
Their presence is crucial for Poland’s labor market and future pension levels. Without foreign contributors, the number of people paying into the system would have been declining for years, and the growth of total contribution revenue would be much slower. This revenue growth directly affects annual indexation of individual pension accounts, meaning higher contributions from foreigners lead to higher indexation for all insured Poles and ultimately larger pensions.
Labor market losing dynamism
While the foreign workforce expands, the domestic labor market shows signs of cooling. According to the latest Randstad Monitor, the average time to find a new job in Poland has risen to 4.5 months – the highest in over 15 years. A year ago it was 3.3 months. The slowdown is particularly severe for people over 50, who spend nearly 9 months searching.
Companies are more cautious with hiring, recruitment processes drag on, and the pool of attractive offers is shrinking. Rotation has dropped sharply: only 15% of employees changed employers in the last six months, down from 19% a year ago. This weakens wage pressure – workers have fewer alternatives to negotiate raises, while firms feel less need to compete for staff.
Other key developments: Fed independence upheld, bank profits down, submarines ordered
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that President Donald Trump could not fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook without due process, effectively protecting the Fed’s independence. The decision limits the president’s ability to directly influence monetary policy, though he still appoints new members.
In Poland, banks reported net profit of 4.4 billion złoty in May – the best month since November 2025, but still 0.7% higher than a year ago. Cumulative profit for the first five months of 2026 stands at 17.6 billion złoty, down from 20.9 billion in the same period last year, due to higher taxes and rising administrative costs.
Poland signed a contract with Sweden’s Saab for three new A26 submarines worth 18 billion złoty. The deal includes training, support, and a temporary loan of an older A17 vessel. The submarines will boost Baltic Sea capabilities, with deliveries expected by 2038. The contract also involves industrial cooperation with Polish shipyards and defense firms.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Pixabay/wal_172619
