80 percent more Asians in the Polish labor market

In 2021, over 114,500 work permits for citizens of Asian countries were issued, according to the data of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy. This is an increase of as much as 80 percent y/y and by 67 percent more than in the pre-pandemic 2019. The analysis of Personnel Service experts shows that citizens of 32 out of 40 analyzed countries recorded an increased interest in working in Poland. The record holders are Uzbeks and Turks, who have almost tripled the number of permits obtained. The growing demand for foreigners concerned not only Asians. In total, in 2021, a record number of over 504,000 work permits for foreigners was issued.

The largest number of work permits in 2021 were granted to Indians (15,300), and their number increased by 87 percent within 12 months. Right behind them, for the first time on the podium, were citizens from Uzbekistan, who obtained a record 15,000 permits. This is almost a threefold increase compared to the previous year (5,800 in 2020). An 80 percent increase was recorded by employees from the Philippines, who obtained 13,200 permits.

"Increases of 90 percent for Nepalese and Indian citizens are very optimistic because the labor market is waiting for foreigners who will keep pace with the development of the Polish labor market and fill the employment gaps that arise as a result of this growth," Krzysztof Inglot, labor market expert, Personnel Service, said.

(WBJ)