Poland's registered unemployment rises to 5.9% in July, breaking spring decline

Unemployment rate rises to 5.9%

Poland's estimated registered unemployment rate reached 5.9% in July 2026, up 0.1 percentage points from 5.8% in June, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (MRPiPS). The final reading will be published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS). The increase interrupted a downward trend observed through the spring: the rate stood at 6.1% in February and March, 6.0% in April, 5.9% in May, and 5.8% in June.

The rise came during the summer season, when demand for workers typically increases in tourism, gastronomy, construction, agriculture, and horticulture.

Registered unemployed exceed 907,000

At the end of July, 907,300 people were registered as unemployed in labour offices, an increase of 5,800 (0.6%) from the previous month and 76,500 (9.2%) more than at the end of July 2025. Approximately 98,600 people registered at labour offices in July, 14,800 (17.7%) more than in June but 9,800 (9.1%) fewer than in July 2025.

The most frequently cited reasons for registration were obtaining health insurance (40.8% of interviewed unemployed) and seeking help in finding work (39.7%).

In the same period, approximately 91,600 people were removed from the registers, 6,500 (6.6%) fewer than in June but 17,000 (22.8%) more than in July 2025. The inflow of new registrations exceeded the outflow, driving the total count upward.

MRPiPS attributed the year-over-year increase in deregistrations to more unemployed taking up unsubsidised work and to a larger number removed for failing to contact their local labour office (PUP) at least once every 90 days. Since June 2025, offices have been implementing the labour market and employment services act, which changed the rules for losing unemployed status due to lack of contact.

Job vacancies decline year-over-year

Employers reported 37,800 vacant positions and occupational activation places to labour offices in July. This was 2,900 (8.2%) more than in June but 8,100 (17.6%) fewer than in July 2025. The monthly increase in vacancies was insufficient to offset the rise in registrations.

Regional disparities persist

The estimated unemployment rate ranged from 3.8% in the Wielkopolska voivodeship to 9.3% in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship. Compared with June, the rate fell by 0.1 percentage points in Zachodniopomorskie, rose by 0.1 points in five voivodeships, and remained unchanged in ten.

At the county level, the highest rates were recorded in Szydłowiecki county (22.8%, Mazowieckie), Brzozowski (19.3%, Podkarpackie), and Przysuski (18.4%, Mazowieckie). The lowest were in Poznański county (1.4%), the city of Poznań (1.6%), and Warsaw (1.6%).

Eurostat context

Eurostat data for June 2026, referenced in one article, placed the eurozone unemployment rate at 6.3% and the EU-wide rate at 6.0%, both unchanged from May and from June 2025. Poland's Eurostat-measured unemployment rate was 3.1% in June. Youth unemployment (under 25) stood at 15.5% in the EU and 14.8% in the eurozone, with 2.987 million young unemployed across the EU, including 2.351 million in the eurozone.