Integration of Ukrainians in Poland: Income Growth and Improved Living Conditions

The level of integration of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland continues to rise for the third consecutive year. According to a study conducted by the National Bank of Poland (NBP) among 4,000 Ukrainians in various voivodeships, more and more Ukrainian citizens have stable jobs, and their salaries are increasing in line with the economic trends in the country.

This is reported by AgroReview

Income Growth and Improved Employment Conditions

Ukrainians living in Poland are demonstrating a gradual increase in financial independence. Their average salary is rising at a pace comparable to the dynamics of the Polish economy, with the highest incomes recorded in the IT, construction, and transport sectors. However, the study also revealed that the wage gap between men and women from Ukraine is significantly higher than the national average.

The survey shows that an increasing number of Ukrainians are finding stable employment, the unemployment rate among refugees is decreasing, and Ukrainians are less frequently accepting unskilled positions. In 2025, the majority of their income is earned in Poland: for pre-war migrants, this is 92%, and for refugees — 78%. At the same time, about 36% of refugees are still working outside their field of expertise.

“The fact that a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees in Poland continues to work in positions that do not match their qualifications indicates substantial losses in human capital. These are individuals with real professional experience, qualifications, and potential that is currently not being fully utilized. As soon as a person gets the opportunity to work in their field, their economic activity and involvement in the life of the country increase rapidly,” says Tomasz Bogdovich, CEO of Gremi Personal.

Housing Independence and Language Adaptation

There is also an increase in the independence of Ukrainians in resolving housing issues: 81% of respondents provide their own housing without external assistance, of which 72% rent and 9% purchase their own homes. Collective centers are primarily inhabited by people over the age of 45.

Language adaptation is also improving: already 63% of respondents speak Polish well or fluently, while only 4% have no knowledge of Polish. Over the past three years, the family structure of Ukrainian migrants has changed somewhat — the number of those living with partners has increased, while the proportion of families with children among refugees is decreasing.

NBP notes a decline in the volume of money transfers to Ukraine, as Ukrainians are increasingly spending their earnings directly in Poland.

Regarding future plans, in 2025, 51% of pre-war immigrants and 24% of refugees plan to stay in Poland permanently. Meanwhile, 56% of refugees and 37% of pre-war migrants have not yet determined their future intentions. The highest number of those wishing to settle in Poland for the long term live in the western voivodeships, while the lowest number is in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Silesian regions.