Poland Corporate Wages Rise Below Forecasts

Poland’s corporate sector wages rose 5.9% year-on-year to PLN 9,266.48 in September 2026, accelerating from 5.6% in August but below market expectations of a 6.1% gain. On a monthly basis, average gross wages increased 0.1%, while wages excluding profit-related payments rose 0.2%. Meanwhile, average paid employment fell 0.8% year-on-year to 6.36 million full-time equivalents, extending the decline to 1.0% in the first nine months of the year. Employment also decreased 0.1% month-on-month. The average gross wage for January-September rose 5.8% year-on-year to PLN 9,353.52. The statutory minimum wage increased 3.0% to PLN 4,806 in January 2026, also contributing to wage growth.

Poland’s corporate sector wages rose 5.6% year-on-year to PLN 9,259.54 in August 2026, slowing from 6.8% in July and coming below market expectations of 6.6%. This marked the softest growth in four months. On a monthly basis, average gross wages fell 2.6%, reversing a 1.1% increase in July, as additional payments, including quarterly, annual and discretionary bonuses, awards and retirement severance payments, declined. Average paid employment fell 0.8% year-on-year to 6.37 million full-time equivalents, while also declining 0.2% month-on-month. Year to date, corporate sector wages have risen 5.9%, while employment has fallen 1.0%. The statutory minimum wage increased 3.0% to PLN 4,806 in January 2026, also contributing to wage growth.

Poland’s corporate sector wages rose 6.8% year-on-year to PLN 9,509.02 in July 2026, beating expectations of 6.2% and accelerating from 5.9% in June. This marked the strongest annual growth since December 2025, driven by faster wage growth across several sectors, including agriculture, forestry and fishing (26.2% vs. 1.9% in June), mining and quarrying (21.9% vs. 2.4%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (13.4% vs. 2.4%), water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation (7.3% vs. 7.1%), and information and communication (7.2% vs. 5.9%). On a monthly basis, average gross wages increased 1.1% in July, slowing from 2.5% in June. The increase was driven by additional payments, including bonuses and awards such as quarterly, annual and discretionary bonuses, as well as Forester’s Day awards, jubilee awards and retirement severance payments. Year to date, corporate sector wages have risen 5.9%.