The report by the Gremi Personal analytical center highlights a significant demographic aspect of the refugee population, with women constituting 78 percent of the refugees, compared to 22 percent men.
Gremi Personal revealed that 94 percent of Ukrainian migrants in Poland were employed before the Russian war, and after nearly two years of conflict, a substantial majority, approximately 64 percent, are working. In 2023, both groups of Ukrainians, refugees and pre-war labor migrants, earned average salaries ranging between PLN 3,000 and 4,000, with a notable portion of refugees earning less than PLN 3,000.
The report also points out the differences in the labor market status of male and female refugees from Ukraine. Despite their lower numbers, male refugees have a better position in the labor market, with higher employment rates and lower unemployment compared to their female counterparts.
Anna Dzhobolda of Gremi Personal explains that the salaries of Ukrainian refugees in Poland mostly depend on the Polish economy's minimum wage increases and are not typically linked to the level of education received in Ukraine. However, she notes that highly skilled Ukrainians with a good command of Polish can compete with Poles for vacant positions.
The minimum wage in Poland has seen a steady increase over the years. In 2019, the minimum wage was PLN 2,250. By 2021, it rose to PLN 2,800, and in 2022, it further increased to PLN 3,010. In 2023, the minimum wage was set at PLN 3,490 at the beginning of the year and then raised to PLN 3,600 in July.
In January this year, the Polish government raised the minimum wage to PLN 4,242.
Source: RMF24, PAP
