Unemployment rate in Poland
Poland: Unemployment rate was 3.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment rate in Poland, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Poland recorded 3.0% for unemployment rate in 2025.
That represents a change of up 6.0% on the previous year and down 60.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Poland peaked at 20.2% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 2023.
Poland ranks 148th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment rate in Poland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 13.6% | — |
| 1992 | 13.6% | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 14.4% | +5.5% |
| 1994 | 14.8% | +3.0% |
| 1995 | 13.7% | -7.6% |
| 1996 | 12.7% | -7.4% |
| 1997 | 11.0% | -13.6% |
| 1998 | 9.9% | -9.4% |
| 1999 | 12.3% | +23.7% |
| 2000 | 14.9% | +21.5% |
| 2001 | 18.4% | +23.5% |
| 2002 | 20.2% | +9.6% |
| 2003 | 19.9% | -1.5% |
| 2004 | 18.8% | -5.4% |
| 2005 | 17.6% | -6.5% |
| 2006 | 13.8% | -21.6% |
| 2007 | 9.6% | -30.8% |
| 2008 | 7.1% | -26.0% |
| 2009 | 8.1% | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 9.6% | +17.8% |
| 2011 | 9.6% | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 10.0% | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 10.3% | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 9.0% | -12.8% |
| 2015 | 7.5% | -16.7% |
| 2016 | 6.1% | -17.8% |
| 2017 | 4.9% | -20.7% |
| 2018 | 3.8% | -21.2% |
| 2019 | 3.3% | -14.8% |
| 2020 | 3.2% | -3.4% |
| 2021 | 3.3% | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 2.8% | -14.0% |
| 2023 | 2.7% | -2.4% |
| 2024 | 2.8% | +2.3% |
| 2025 | 3.0% | +6.0% |
Poland compared with similar countries
- Poland's 3.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.0%, 59% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Poland's 3.0% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.6%, 54% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.9% | 9.9% | 14.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 14.8% | 7.1% | 20.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.4% | 3.3% | 10.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.0% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Poland
More work & labour data for Poland
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.03 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1.03 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.04 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.28 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.0452 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 22,799 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 9,591 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 9,786 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 9,544 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 19,330 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Poland?
- Unemployment rate in Poland was 3.0% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Poland?
- The highest recorded value was 20.2% in 2002.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Poland?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 2023.
- How does Poland rank for unemployment rate?
- Poland ranks 148th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Poland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 60.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Poland data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.