2:45 22 May 2026
Pay grows, headcount shrinks again
Average gross monthly pay in Poland's enterprise sector reached PLN 9,530.74 in April 2026, a 5.4% increase year-on-year, according to GUS data published Thursday. That figure is the first print above PLN 9,500 and marks a continuation of real wage growth that has been driving consumer demand. Employment in the same sector, however, fell 0.9% year-on-year to 6.4 million full-time equivalents — extending a contraction that has now persisted for several months. Economists note the divergence reflects two trends: companies are shedding lower-paid roles while retaining or better rewarding skilled workers, and some businesses are substituting automation for headcount in response to elevated labour costs. The data will feed into the Monetary Policy Council's deliberations on whether persistent wage pressure justifies keeping interest rates on hold through the summer.
