Poland is grappling with a significant rise in youth unemployment, prompting a national discussion among experts about the rapid escalation of this trend.
Poland saw the highest increase in youth unemployment in the entire EU, even though Poland enjoys some of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire bloc.
Eurostat data from May 2025 reveals that the unemployment rate for individuals under 25 in Poland hit 13.5 percent, marking a staggering 27.4 percent year-on-year increase.
There are at least three factors, according to the analysts at ManpowerGroup, that are driving this trend.
The first is the shifting labor market, heavily influenced by the economic slowdown impacting many countries, especially Poland’s key trading partners. Tied to this is the second reason, which has to do with growing geopolitical tensions, such as tariffs and trade conflicts with China. These global pressures are translating into reduced demand for staff.
The other factor is the accelerating pace of automation and digitalization, including the rise of artificial intelligence. This technological shift is diminishing the need for routine and simple tasks, which are often seen in entry-level jobs. As a chorus of headlines out of the United States demonstrates, young people are increasingly struggling to find work. As the New York Times reports, “For Some Recent Graduates, the A.I. Job Apocalypse May Already Be Here.“
Piotr Skierkowski, a labor market expert at ManpowerGroup, highlighted to Bankier.pl that the primary challenge is a mismatch between the requirements and expectations of both employers and young job seekers. This discrepancy extends to salary levels, preferred working methods, and the nature of tasks.
Zuzanna Ilków, an analyst at Useme, emphasizes that young individuals are entering a job market that demands skills they haven’t yet had the chance to acquire. Even entry-level positions frequently require prior experience. Simultaneously, Poland’s education system is struggling to adequately develop practical skills and prepare students for collaborative or project-based work. This deficiency is leading more young people to consider freelancing as an alternative career path.
Ilków, quoted in an article by Katarzyna Wiązowska in Bankier.pl, stated, “According to our report ‘Freelancing After Hours 2025,’ people aged 18-25 most often work in the IT, design, and multimedia industries. For many, this is an alternative way to enter the job market. However, its growing popularity among this age group may signal a deeper problem: the difficulty in finding a first job within traditional forms of work.”
Analysts from Personnel Service are urging proactive measures to prevent a repeat of two decades ago, when a lack of domestic opportunities forced young Poles to seek employment abroad, resulting in a significant talent drain. They note that younger generations, Generation Z and Alphas, are ambitious and eager for professional development.
However, this optimism is clashing with genuine concerns about career progression, securing suitable employment, and even competition from foreign workers. Personnel Service analysts caution that if Poland fails to provide concrete development paths and accessible entry points into the job market, these young workers will not hesitate to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Piotr Skierkowski of Personnel Service suggests that a crucial solution involves increased investment in education and vocational training to equip young people with the necessary skills. He believes this is a critical area for government and non-governmental organizations to address.
Zuzanna Ilków adds that to improve the situation for the youngest adults in the labor market, there’s a need for entry-level positions that incorporate a learning phase, rather than expecting immediate proficiency. She also advocates for “real career counseling, mentoring, and a new approach by employers—one more open to potential than to a ready-made CV.”
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