Ukrainians return to Poland. The economy has a affirmative impulse

According to the latest Eurostat data, Poland again attracts more Ukrainians. Over the last year, their number has increased by over 40,000, and the trend can persist. The change in the direction of migration is clear and has concrete consequences for the Polish economy. More and more analyses indicate that the presence of immigrants, especially Ukrainian citizens, has a real impact on GDP growth and the stableness of the labour market.

Immigration of Ukrainians to Poland is increasing again

Although Germany has been the main mark for refugees from Ukraine for a long time, we are now seeing a reversal of the trend. Poland, which inactive dominated statistic in 2022, for any time lost to western neighbours. Now things are changing again. In March 2025 there were already 992,000 Ukrainian citizens in our country. That's over 40,000 higher than a year ago.

By comparison, in Germany, the number of Ukrainians fell by over 100,000 at the same time. This may mean not only expanding the attractiveness of Poland as a mark country, but besides improving surviving and working conditions for immigrants. It is worth noting that akin increases are besides recorded by Slovakia, Hungary or Spain, but it is Poland and Germany that inactive concentrate half of all Ukrainians in the EU.

Polish economy uses immigration

The impact of Ukrainian presence on the Polish economy is clearly positive. According to the National Bank of Poland data, immigrants contribute to GDP growth. Between 2021 and 1923, they accounted for about 0.5 percent points of growth per year. In the case of refugees from Ukraine who arrived after 2022, this contribution amounted to 0.8 percent points, which translated into almost 30% of full economical growth in the period under consideration.

The following figures are given by the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego – receipts to the budget for taxes and contributions of citizens Ukraine reached PLN 15.1 billion in 2024. At the same time, for each 800 PLN transferred in the form of a benefit 800+ the state gained 5.4 PLN from their taxes. The financial balance is so definitely positive.

The function of Ukrainians in the labour market

Ukrainians are mainly present in key sectors of the Polish economy – transport, construction and industry. These are sectors that are most affected by staff shortages and request flexible workers. As the study of the Polish economical Institute shows, without the presence of foreigners 20 percent of companies would gotta limit their activity.

Moreover, only 13% of companies would be able to replace the missing workers with Poles. The effects would be felt immediately – extending the execution time of orders, reducing the quality of services and even threatening the continuity of business. In industries specified as TSL or construction, the deficiency of foreigners would mean a real hazard of losing contracts.

Ukrainians do not charge the system

Concerns about excessive burden on the welfare strategy or the Social safety Office are unjustified. According to the data, only 0.33% of economical migrants stay unemployed and pension benefits are collected only 0.18% of them. The costs of these pensions are symbolic – they represent little than 0.08% of the full sum of ZUS payments.

Immigration from Ukraine is not only a social or political issue, but above all an economical one. Data leaves no uncertainty – Ukrainians work, pay taxes, and their presence truly supports the improvement of the economy. Poland is again a place for them to live and work. If the current trend continues, the number of Ukrainians in our country may again exceed 1 million, and the economy will feel even stronger.