Today, the situation is entirely different. Labor migrants have become one of the most frequently used topics in political disputes, and opinions about them are often simplified, emotional, and leveraged during election campaigns. This phenomenon is not unique to Poland – similar processes can be observed across Europe – but in Poland, public debate has taken on a particularly dynamic form.
Understanding this process requires looking both at economic changes and at how politics uses migration issues in the fight for voters.
For most of its recent history, Poland was a country of emigration rather than immigration. Millions of Poles went abroad for work to countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, or Ireland. Only in the second decade of the 21st century did the situation begin to reverse.
Rapid economic growth and an aging population meant that the Polish labor market needed increasing numbers of foreign workers. The largest group became Ukrainian citizens, who started arriving in significant numbers after 2014 and even more so after the full-scale war in 2022.
Today, the scale of the phenomenon is huge. According to various analyses, around 1.5 million Ukrainians live and work in Poland, accounting for roughly 5% of the entire workforce.
From an economic standpoint, labor migration has become a key factor in stabilizing the labor market. In many industries – from logistics to manufacturing – the absence of foreign workers would pose serious operational challenges for companies.
At the same time, as the number of migrants increased, the topic began to appear more frequently in political debates.
Migration is one of the topics that easily mobilizes voters’ emotions. In many European countries, political parties discovered that issues related to foreigners can be used to mobilize electorates – particularly during election periods.
Poland is no exception. In recent years, migration has appeared in politicians’ statements in various forms.
Some politicians have expressed skepticism or alarm. During election campaigns, statements suggested that migrants could be a burden on social services or competition for Polish workers. Public debate also included calls to limit benefits for foreigners.
On the other hand, many politicians have highlighted migrants’ importance to the economy. For example, Radosław Sikorski noted in a parliamentary speech that Ukrainian migrants show very high labor market participation and, since 2022, have established over 120,000 companies in Poland, creating jobs and paying taxes.
Such statements show the diversity of the narrative around labor migration – from concern and criticism to emphasis on economic benefits.
Public debate often repeats persistent stereotypes about migrants. One of the most common is the belief that foreigners “take jobs away” from locals or lower wages.
Data generally contradict these claims. Analyses show that migrants primarily enter sectors already experiencing labor shortages, such as manufacturing, transport, construction, or agriculture.
Another popular argument is that migrants burden the welfare system. In the case of Ukrainians, however, data show the opposite. According to parliamentary presentations in 2024, economic activity by Ukrainians in Poland generated roughly PLN 5 billion in income tax, PLN 12.7 billion in social security contributions, and about PLN 4 billion in VAT.
Thus, migrants not only cover public support costs but also generate additional revenues for the state budget.
A striking example of shifting public opinion is the reaction to the influx of Ukrainian refugees after the Russian invasion in 2022.
In the first months of the war, social solidarity was overwhelming – over 90% of Poles supported assistance for refugees. Over time, however, support declined. By 2024, around 57% of respondents still expressed a positive attitude toward refugee aid.
This shift was partly due to crisis fatigue but also intensified political debate. During election campaigns, migration issues were often used to mobilize voters by emphasizing perceived threats or costs associated with foreigners.
In recent years, labor migration has featured in disputes between different centers of power. One example was President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of legislation extending certain benefits for Ukrainian refugees. The President argued that support should be more closely linked to employment and tax contributions.
This decision drew criticism from parts of the government and experts, who pointed out that most adult Ukrainians in Poland already work and do not heavily rely on public support.
These examples illustrate how labor migration increasingly becomes part of broader political disputes over the state’s social model and public policy.
The paradox is that political narratives often diverge from economic data.
Economic analyses indicate that the presence of Ukrainian migrants contributed to a 2.7% GDP growth in Poland in 2024, and their economic activity increases tax revenue and stabilizes the labor market.
At the same time, many employers emphasize that without foreign workers, some companies would face serious difficulties fulfilling contracts.
This highlights the tension between economic realities and political messaging.
Labor migration will likely remain a key political issue in Poland for the coming years. Several factors explain this trend.
First, like many European countries, Poland is aging and will require increasing numbers of foreign workers.
Second, migration touches on sensitive social issues: labor markets, welfare systems, security, and cultural identity.
Third, this topic is easily used in election campaigns because it evokes strong emotions.
Debate on labor migration is often simplified and emotional. Data, however, reveal a more complex picture.
Most migrants in Poland work, pay taxes, and fill labor shortages. Their presence has a real impact on GDP growth and market stability.
This does not mean migration is free of challenges. Social integration, housing, education, and public services require long-term policy attention.
Effective public debate should be based on facts, not solely on emotions.
