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Wage growth edges up to 7.1%. Employment at a low point, but broader data more encouraging

In November, the average gross wage in the enterprise sector reached PLN 9,078.16, (EUR 2,100 – before taxes) according to the latest release from Statistics Poland (GUS). This represents a slight acceleration in nominal wage growth to 7.1% year on year, up from 6.6% in October.

Marek Skawiński
20.12.2025, 20:52
Hands holding 100 and 200 Polish zloty banknotes above an open wallet. Concept of income, spending, personal finance, or budgeting
Considering the modest rise in nominal wages in November, this means that consumers have higher real earnings than the previous month, which should support economic recovery. Source: Getty Images

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The downward trend in wage growth has persisted since the beginning of 2024, with the exception of Q2 2025. In January last year, year-on-year growth in the average wage was still 12.4%. Minor fluctuations in wage dynamics have occurred historically and should not be overinterpreted – especially given that October’s reading was unusually low.

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We can expect that wage growth in Q4 will be the lowest of the year. On a quarterly basis, wage dynamics have so far been: 8.3% in Q1, 8.9% in Q2, and 7.4% in Q3. At the same time, wage growth in the enterprise sector has aligned over the past two quarters with that in smaller firms and the public sector – that is, across the national economy.

Real wages – adjusted for inflation – remain solidly positive, hovering around 4–5% in recent months. The consumer price index stood at 2.5% year on year in November, down from 2.9% in October. Considering the modest rise in nominal wages in November, this means that consumers have higher real earnings than the previous month, which should support economic recovery.

From a broader perspective, the most interesting data will appear in mid-February next year. In 2026, additional factors will act to restrain wage growth – and, consequently, inflationary pressure. These include relatively modest, by recent standards, 3% increases in public-sector wages and the minimum wage. It remains to be seen how this will affect wage dynamics in the enterprise sector.

Employment in the enterprise sector vs. total employment (BAEL)

In November 2025, average employment in the enterprise sector stood at 6,413.8 thousand full-time equivalents, 0.8% lower than a year earlier. Negative growth in this indicator has persisted throughout 2025, fluctuating between 0.8% and 0.9%. It should be noted, however, that the enterprise sector represents only part of the national economy, covering entities with 10 or more employees.

Broader – and more encouraging – insight into the labor market comes from the Labor Force Survey (BAEL). According to recently published Q3 2025 data, total employment reached 17.36 million people, up 0.5% year on year. This suggests that the public sector and smaller firms are compensating for declines in the enterprise sector.

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Key Takeaways

  1. Enterprise sector employment remains under pressure – In November 2025, average employment in the enterprise sector fell by 0.8% year on year, continuing a mild but persistent downward trend throughout 2025.
  2. Overall labor market more resilient – Broader data from the Labor Force Survey (BAEL) show total employment rising by 0.5% year on year in Q3 2025, indicating that declines in the enterprise sector are being offset by the public sector and smaller firms.
  3. Real wages and inflation support consumption – Despite slower employment growth in large enterprises, real wages remain positive, providing purchasing power that could help sustain economic activity and mitigate downside risks from weaker job dynamics.