In Poland of 2025 it is difficult to find a topic more hot than immigration. The media are full of harsh disputes, politicians are divided into camps, and society seems to be more and more conflicted. Some see in immigrants a threat to national security and identity, others – a chance for development. But what if for a moment we put off emotions and look at hard data? One thing becomes clear: immigrants play an important and increasing role in Poland’s economic development.
Demographic clock bomb Tyka (especially in Poland)
Before we get to immigration, let’s face it: Poland faces a demographic disasterwhich may decide about our economic and social future.
Europe is aging – and we are at the forefront of this infamous race. Bruegel data shows that an increasing proportion of EU inhabitants exceed the retirement age, while the number of people of working age decreases like a scarf in the wind. This problem is particularly strongly striking Poland – it is estimated that by 2050 the number of working people will fall in our country by over 20% (compared to 2023).
But this is not the end of bad news. From 2022, our country has been recording the largest decline in the population throughout the European Union – In 2022, over 123,000 people lost us. The population of Poland in 2024 fell below 37 million and according to Euobserver will continue to decrease.
And here are the most disturbing data: in 2019, 22% of Poland’s inhabitants were over 65 years old, and by 2050 this percentage is to reach one-third (China-Vo.Eu). This is not only mathematics – this means dramatically greater expenses for retirement and healthcare, and at the same time real staff shortages in the entire economy.
The question is: who will work to keep the system?
Is immigration a response to demographic problems?
The answer may surprise. In the face of these changes, migration becomes a big chance. Poland is already accepting record numbers of foreigners today – and not only from Ukraine.
According to ZUS data from 2023, over 1.09 million foreigners had active pension insurance in Poland – this 6.74% of all insured. The largest groups in 2025 are citizens:
- Ukraine (997 thousand),
- Belarus (143 thousand),
- India (24 thousand),
- Georgia (24,000),
- Russia (18 thousand).
These are not abstract numbers – they are over a million people who get up every day in the morning and go to work, filling the gaps on the Polish labor market. From warehouses, through Uber and Bolt, your favorite Indian restaurant and Georgian bakery, to Warsaw IT and doctor’s offices.
Immigrants in Poland and economic growth
Let’s move on to hard economic facts, and put all speculation aside.
The work of migrants directly translates into GDP growth, higher consumption and greater revenues from taxes and contributions. According to the latest Deloitte and UNHCR (2025) analysis, Only refugees from Ukraine generated as much as 2.7% of Polish GDP in 2024. This is not a mistake – almost 3% of all wealth developed in Poland.
These conclusions are also confirmed by the BGK report, according to which the presence of immigrants increased the annual consumption in Poland by several billion zlotys. Each zloty spent by an immigrant for shopping, rent or services is a zloty that drives the Polish economy. VAT and PIT revenues have also increased significantly.
In short: immigrants do not “cost” – they earn. And not just for yourself.
Lazy immigrants? Let’s look at the data
One of the most common arguments of opponents of immigration is to say that foreigners come “to social” and avoid work. Meanwhile, statistics absolutely contradict these myths.
According to the said Deloitte report, the employment rate among refugees from Ukraine is about 69%. For comparison, this indicator among Polish citizens is about 75%. The difference is only 6 percentage points – taking into account the language, cultural and legal barriers that the newcomers face.
Who are migrants coming to Poland?
We often have a simplified image of a migrant as a physical employee, meanwhile the reality is a bit more complex.
The study of the National Bank of Poland from 2023 shows that 42–48% of migrants from Ukraine have a university degree. In the case of Belarusians and Indians, these interest is probably even higher – many of them come to work in specialist industries: IT, engineering, marketing, medicine.
The problem is that they work very often below their qualifications. Not because of the lack of willingness to work, but due to bureaucratic obstacles to recognizing diplomas and professional experience.
At the same time, a very large part of the employment of Ukrainian citizens focuses in sectors that in Poland suffer from chronic hand shortage to work: industrial processing, transport, storage and construction. What is key – the authors of the aforementioned BGK report emphasize that Their presence did not cause a decrease in wages or an increase in unemployment among Poles.
Migrants = new entrepreneurs
In addition to working full -time, migrants also set up their own companies.
According to data from the Polish Economic Institute (PI), from the beginning of the intensification of the war in Ukraine in 2022 to the end of 2024, the citizens of this country founded in Poland:
Ukrainian model of integration – an example to follow
Why is I talking about immigrants from Ukraine all the time? Among all groups of immigrant it is Ukrainians are the best example of successful economic integration. What’s more, according to Politico, they constitute about 75% of all immigrants in Poland.
According to Deloitte, Pie and NBP reports, migrants from Ukraine:
- have a high education,
- are professionally active,
- They learn the language quickly,
- They undertake a business.
This is an example of well -functioning integration, which serves both sides: Migrants and the Polish economy. It is worth emphasizing that, according to Politico, Ukrainians constitute About 75% of all immigrants in PolandThis is proof that well -managed immigration can serve both sides – both migrants looking for a better life and the economy taking new talents and hands to work.
Time for strategic thinking
But take it easy, we can’t rest on our laurels yet. Poland – next to Portugal, Italy and Greece – belongs to the countries that will record the strongest decrease in the number of people of working age in the next three decades. Experts of the Citizens’ Development Forum warn that although immigration can significantly slow down this process, Poland still does not have a long -term strategy for attracting and maintaining employees from abroad. As a result, some migrants pack their suitcases after a few years and go to other EU countries – taking their skills, experience and … taxes with them.
Migration is a process that is already underway. The question does not sound Do you keep herbut how to regulate her wisely, plan it and use.
We need the most:
- Migration policy, which facilitates integration and employment Instead of setting bureaucratic obstacles.
- Language and educational support for immigrantswhich will accelerate their integration.
- Simplifying the process of recognizing professional qualificationsthat educated people would not be wasted in the work below their abilities.
Otherwise, we will waste the potential of thousands of people who could power the Polish economy – and we all feel the effects. As the Warsaw Enterprise Institute (WEI) emphasizes, treating legal migration as a threat instead of a chance is a risk that our country – struggling with a record drop in the population – simply cannot afford.
At a time when emotions obscure the facts, it is worth remembering one simple truth: immigrants are not a “cost” for you – they are his activist. In the face of an aging society, the growing costs of the pension system and deficiencies on the labor market, they can become a flywheel for the future of Poland.
The question is: will we be wise enough to use it, or will we allow fear and prejudice to destroy our chance to improve well -being?
