Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion forced millions of Ukrainians to flee westward, Poland remains one of their primary destinations. Over time, Ukrainian migrants have become an essential part of the Polish workforce and increasingly active entrepreneurs, with more than 123,000 Ukrainian-owned businesses established in the country.
According to Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS), nearly 714,200 Ukrainians were employed in Poland by the end of 2024, representing about 67% of all foreign workers. Their presence spans multiple sectors of the economy. The service sector employs the largest number, with roughly 152,200 Ukrainian workers, followed closely by manufacturing, where about 146,700 Ukrainians work and make up roughly three-quarters of all foreign employees in that industry.
Construction is another major employer, with around 93,600 Ukrainian workers, while transport and logistics—vital to Poland’s export-oriented economy—employed nearly 87,900 Ukrainians by the end of 2022.
Alongside employment, entrepreneurship among Ukrainians has grown rapidly. A report by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE) indicates that between 2022 and 2025 Ukrainians registered more than 123,000 businesses in Poland. About 109,100 of these were sole proprietorships, accounting for roughly one in ten such businesses created in Poland during that period.
Analysts suggest this trend partly reflects the structure of the labor market, where migrants are often offered temporary or lower-paid roles that may not match their qualifications. Running their own businesses can provide greater independence and allow them to better use their skills and professional experience.
In addition to sole proprietorships, Ukrainians established approximately 14,500 limited-liability companies over those four years, representing more than 6% of all such firms in Poland. Employment levels among Ukrainians remain high: about 90% of pre-war migrants are employed, while roughly 75% of refugees have jobs—both figures significantly above the approximately 57% employment rate recorded among Polish citizens in the third quarter of 2025.
Economic analysts note that Ukrainian entrepreneurship contributes positively to Poland’s economic growth and GDP. Surveys also suggest most Polish business owners are not concerned about competition from Ukrainian companies; more than half say the impact on their own businesses is minimal.
Poland’s role for Ukrainians goes beyond economic integration. As a neighboring country, it has become a major refuge for those fleeing Russia’s aggression. Data from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) indicates that about 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees currently live outside Ukraine, with close to one million residing in Poland. Around 12% of these refugees come from Russian-occupied regions in eastern Ukraine.
Poland has often been praised for effectively integrating Ukrainian refugees into its labor market. UNHCR representatives have highlighted the country’s strong public and governmental support since 2022, describing it as a notable example of refugee assistance.
There are also measurable economic benefits. Estimates suggest Ukrainian refugees contributed roughly 2.7% of Poland’s GDP in 2024. Analysts emphasize that continued investment in employment opportunities, education, and skills development could further benefit both Poland and, eventually, Ukraine itself.
Previous UN research has similarly indicated that Ukrainian migrants and refugees have contributed more to Poland’s economy than they have taken from it, reinforcing their growing role in the country’s economic and social landscape.
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