This increase is notably pronounced in the construction sector for Ukrainian men and in services and trade for Ukrainian women.
The trend gained momentum after the start of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
Nearly 60,000 new solo entrepreneurship registrations have been made by Ukrainians over the past two-and-a-half years.
During the initial months of 2022, Ukrainian nationals registered hundreds of new businesses in Poland, with registrations peaking in July 2023, when 3,116 new businesses were recorded.
Men have predominantly set up these businesses, particularly in construction and information and communication sectors.
Women, meanwhile, have been significant contributors in service-oriented sectors such as hairdressing and retail.
As of mid-2024, Ukrainians accounted for 11.2 percent of all new businesses in Poland, owning 77 percent of foreign-registered enterprises.
The breakdown shows a clear preference: 23 percent of new businesses by Ukrainian men were in construction, with significant activities also in transportation, storage and communication sectors.
For Ukrainian women, 30 percent of their businesses were in other services, with a notable presence in the retail sector.
The Warsaw-based Polish Economic Institute (PIE) think tank says that starting a business may be a viable alternative to employment for many Ukrainians in Poland.
However, it remains unclear how many have chosen this path voluntarily versus being encouraged by employers. Self-employed contract workers tend to simplify compliance and reduce costs for their employers.
There has also been an increase in the number of Ukrainians working in the "gray zone," or the off-the-books tax-evading segment of the economy.
As of the end of June, over 771,000 Ukrainians were registered with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), yet reports from the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) indicate a rise in illegal employment among Ukrainians, reaching 16 percent in 2023, up from 11 percent the previous year.
(rt/gs)
Source: polskieradio24.pl