Introduction
Unemployment rates represent the share of unemployed persons in the total labour force. These data provide insights into labour market dynamics across age groups and demographic segments, highlighting both challenges and opportunities within the Poland labour market.
The data are seasonally and calendar adjusted to ensure comparability across countries. All values are updated monthly, typically released around six weeks after the reference period once national statistical offices publish their final results.
Overall Unemployment Rate
In September 2025, Poland's overall unemployment rate amounted to 3.2% (0 y/y), representing approximately 569,000 unemployed persons. This development suggests that post-pandemic labour markets have largely normalised, with limited cyclical fluctuations. For comparison, the unemployment rate in the European Union was 6% in September 2025.
Unemployment by Age
In September 2025, youth unemployment (ages 15-24) in Poland increased to 13% (+0.1 y/y), representing approximately 123,000 unemployed youth, reflecting ongoing challenges for new labour market entrants, particularly in sectors with slower recovery or reduced hiring for entry-level roles. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for mature workers (ages 25 and over) rose to 2.6% (+0.1 y/y) in September 2025, representing approximately 446,000 unemployed mature workers, suggesting constraints in matching skilled workers with available positions or reduced demand in key employment sectors. Youth rates remain higher than mature workers due to the transition from education to employment, while established skills and work experience support lower unemployment among older workers.
Unemployment by Gender
In September 2025, the unemployment rate for males in Poland amounted to 2.9% (0 y/y), representing approximately 258,000 unemployed males, indicating broadly stable labour market outcomes for male workers. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for females rose to 3.6% (+0.1 y/y) in September 2025, representing approximately 253,000 unemployed females, reflecting ongoing barriers in sectors where women remain underrepresented or where structural constraints limit access to quality employment opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
OECD publishes unemployment statistics monthly, based on harmonised Labour Force Surveys conducted in all EU member states. The data are seasonally and calendar adjusted to ensure comparability across countries and are usually released about six weeks after the reference month.
The Labour Force Survey is a household survey conducted across all EU member states according to harmonised methodology. It provides detailed information on employment, unemployment, and labour force participation, covering all persons aged 15 and over. The LFS follows International Labour Organization (ILO) definitions, ensuring comparability across countries. OECD aggregates these national data into monthly series, applying seasonal and calendar adjustments for cross-country analysis.
Unemployment is measured according to ILO standards, counting persons who are: (1) without work during the reference week, (2) currently available for work, and (3) actively seeking employment. The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force (employed plus unemployed). This differs from registered unemployment, which counts only those registered with employment services.
Several factors shape unemployment dynamics in Poland:
- Economic cycles: Recessions typically increase unemployment, while expansions create jobs
- Structural factors: Skills mismatches, labour market rigidities, and regional disparities
- Demographic trends: Ageing populations, migration flows, and changes in labour force participation
- Policy measures: Active labour market policies, education and training systems, and employment protection legislation
- Sectoral shifts: Changes in industrial composition, technological disruption, and automation
- Global economic conditions: Trade patterns, foreign investment, and international competitiveness
As of the latest available data, Poland's unemployment rate compares to other European countries as follows:
- Poland: 3.2%
- Austria: 5.5%
- Belgium: 5.9%
- Czechia: 3%
- Denmark: 6.1%
- France: 7.6%
- Italy: 6.1%
- Netherlands: 4%
- Poland: 3.2%
- Spain: 10.5%
- Sweden: 8.7%
- United Kingdom: 5%
- European Union: 6%
Unemployment in Countries
Explore unemployment data in specific countries — choose a country to see detailed analysis.
Methodology and Data Sources
All charts and indicators update automatically based on OECD's monthly unemployment statistics, typically released monthly. The data are derived from Labour Force Surveys conducted across all EU member states, seasonally and calendar adjusted for comparability. Unemployment rates are calculated as the percentage of unemployed persons (those without a job, available for work, and actively seeking employment) relative to the labour force.