In July, the service sector saw a notable rise in job vacancies, according to the latest Job Offers Barometer. This trend, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the year, with the exception of February, has accelerated in recent months, reflecting a broader economic recovery. The Barometer, prepared by the Department of Economics and Finance at WSIiZ in Rzeszów and the Bureau of Investment and Economic Cycles, showed a slight increase in overall job postings, with the index rising to 259.8 points in July from 258.7 points in June.
The report highlights that job vacancies increased in half of the Polish provinces, particularly in regions with higher unemployment rates. The Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Świętokrzyskie, and Zachodniopomorskie provinces saw the most significant growth, while regions like Wielkopolskie, Lubelskie, and Podlaskie experienced declines.
The service sector, in particular, recorded the most substantial growth in new job postings, marking a return to pre-2022 levels, although still slightly below the peak from that year. The demand for physical labor has also been on the rise, continuing a six-month upward trend, with the number of job vacancies reaching a new historical high in July.
On the other hand, the demand for professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been decreasing for the past four months, although the decline has been modest. Despite this, certain areas like e-commerce, research and development (R&D), and construction have seen an increase in job postings.
The report also notes a continued decrease in job opportunities for IT administrators, safety and security personnel, and engineers, reflecting ongoing economic challenges in these sectors. In contrast, the job market for programmers appears to be stabilizing after a period of significant decline earlier this year.
Overall, the data suggests a mixed picture for Poland’s labor market, with strong growth in some areas counterbalanced by declines in others, particularly in more specialized and technical fields.