The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) has published a new report entitled ‘Labour market, education, competences. Current trends and research results (December 2025)’, which presents the most important directions of change taking place on the Polish labour market, in education systems and in the demand for competences.

The report is a comprehensive analysis combining statistical data, research results and expert commentary, showing how quickly the labour market is changing and what skills will be key for employees and employers in the coming months.

The labour market in numbers

According to data from the Central Statistical Office, in November 2025, the registered unemployment rate was 5.6%, and the average monthly gross salary in the enterprise sector reached over PLN 9,000.

The European Commission's forecasts predict that in 2026, unemployment – calculated according to the BAEL methodology – will remain at around 3.1%, and employment will grow, albeit moderately.

Surveys conducted among companies show that most of them plan to maintain their current employment levels in the first half of 2026, and almost 40% of companies declare their intention to increase salaries.

Key competencies for 2026

According to the report, competencies that go beyond traditional professional qualifications will be crucial for employees in the coming year. Among them, PARP highlights:

• Adaptability – the ability to learn quickly and adapt to change, also presented in the recruitment process.
• Emotional intelligence – the ability to understand and manage one's own and others' emotions, which contributes to effective teamwork.
• Critical thinking – seeking different perspectives and the ability to analyse the consequences of decisions.
• Digital fluency – the ability to work with digital tools and combine them to achieve business goals.
• Ethical judgements in the context of AI – conscious and responsible use of artificial intelligence tools, taking into account social and ethical consequences.

Why is the report important?

Dynamic technological, demographic and economic changes are transforming traditional employment patterns. The PARP report provides valuable guidance for career planners, employers and educational institutions, emphasising the importance of flexibility and continuous competence development.

The full text of the report can be found on the PARP website.