21:16 13 January 2026
Robots replacing people in Polish Investment Zone
Companies managing Poland’s special economic zones recorded a strong year under the Polska Strefa Inwestycji. In 2025, they issued 646 support decisions — one of the best results in recent years — and declared investment outlays rose to PLN 22 billion. Major projects included data centers, battery materials, and manufacturing investments, with the Wałbrzych, Katowice, Pomeranian, and Łódź zones leading the rankings.
Despite higher capital spending, the number of new jobs promised fell to a record low of just 3,600. Experts say this reflects structural change: automation and robotization mean modern investments are less labor-intensive, while Poland also faces demographic constraints and low unemployment. Growth was driven largely by Polish SMEs and reinvestments rather than greenfield projects by foreign giants. Going forward, zones are focusing on defense and dual-use projects, while also preparing to offset revenue losses as older permits expire after 2026.
(pb.pl)
