The end of the year is always a time to recap what is happening in the market. Companies are planning and forecasting what the next year may bring. Are you looking for the most promising markets right now? Considering expanding your business into Poland?
In this article, we take a closer look at the largest and fastest-growing industries in Poland, focusing on sectors with strong potential for growth and investment.
Economic overview of Poland
Starting from the overview, Poland is the 20th world economy and the 6th European economy, and it is still increasing. As we can read in the GUS report (Q3 2025), Poland recorded 3.7% GDP growth.
For comparison, the average GDP growth in Europe is 0.3%. It seems that growing your business in Poland can bring many benefits. But which sectors are the most promising?
Key sectors in Poland
Services Sector
The biggest segment in Poland is the services sector, accounting for about 65% of the total market size, including IT, BPO, and SSC services. This can be divided into B2B and B2C services, such as IT, taxes, law, marketing, and construction-related services. It is difficult to clearly define one specific target group.
The services sector in Poland is not only the largest but also an excellent market for investment. Any solutions that streamline workflows and improve efficiency in service industries are likely to be in high demand.
This is especially true given Poland’s very low unemployment rate of 3.2%, which means available labor is scarce. Automation and tools that reduce employee workload, optimize processes, and improve productivity are therefore highly valued. There is still significant room for introducing new systems and innovative solutions in Polish service industries.
Manufacturing Sector
In second place is the manufacturing sector, contributing approximately 16.6% of GDP. This sector includes many subsectors, some of which are more promising than others. For this reason, a brief overview of this group is necessary.
Construction Sector
The third sector is construction, accounting for 5.4% of GDP. It remains one of the most important sectors of the economy, both in Poland and globally. It strongly influences other industries, often driving them upward or pulling them down.
Currently, the real estate market in Poland has slowed, but ongoing infrastructure investments, including road and railway development, continue to support the construction sector.
All companies in the construction industry generate a total of PLN 378.48 billion in revenue. There are 45,912 organizations in the sector. The number of companies grows by about 2,660 per year, while total revenues increase by PLN 28.52 billion annually. The average annual growth rate (CAGR) is 7.0%.
What is the unemployment rate in Poland?
Annual average unemployment rate in Poland:
-
2025: 5.4% (January–November)
-
2024: 5.1%
-
2023: 5.2%
-
2022: 5.4%
-
2021: 5.9%
-
2020: 6.0%
-
2019: 5.5%
-
2018: 6.1%
-
2017: 7.3%
-
2016: 9.1%
Let’s take a closer look at the unemployment landscape. As mentioned earlier, the unemployment rate in Poland remains very low. According to the Eurostat report, average unemployment in Poland stands at just 3.2%. The Polish Central Statistical Office reported it at 5.4% in 2025.
For comparison:
-
Estonia: 7.4%
-
Lithuania: 7.0%
-
Latvia: 6.4%
-
Sweden: 8.7%
-
EU average: 6.4%
In terms of labor costs, Poland remains highly competitive, ranking 4th in Europe, with average annual employee compensation of €34,405.15.
Poland’s low unemployment rate and strong economic conditions create a favorable environment for business development. Numerous reports highlight which sectors are the most promising for investment. Above, I have outlined the key sectors and explained why they deserve the most attention from investors.
What are the most developing sectors in Poland?
When it comes to the fastest-growing sector, manufacturing once again takes the top spot. There are over 37,000 companies operating in this sector, generating almost PLN 2 billion in revenue. The number of organizations increases by an average of 771 companies per year, while the average annual growth rate (CAGR) is 3.80%.
The industry shows a clear concentration of revenues among its largest players. The top 10% of companies generate more than PLN 67.97 million, while the top 20% exceed PLN 24.3 million. At the same time, 50% of companies achieve revenues above PLN 3.68 million, highlighting a wide range of company sizes and financial potential.
The average company revenue in 2024 stood at PLN 3.68 million, reflecting a steady growth trend of around PLN 121,000 per year since 2017. These figures point to a stable and developing industry, offering investment opportunities for both leading and mid-sized businesses.
Key industries in the manufacturing sector (by revenue)
Poland’s industries in the manufacturing sector. Source: BizRaport – Szukaj branży PKD
Food Industry
The leader in the manufacturing sector is the food industry, generating PLN 344.1 billion and recording year-on-year growth of PLN 13.05 billion. High and stable demand for food products makes this sector a safe and predictable investment area.
With 4,478 operating companies, the market is competitive and dynamic, supporting continuous development and innovation in product offerings.
Automotive Industry
The automotive sector generates PLN 161.6 billion in revenue but records a decline of PLN 8.73 billion year-on-year. With 749 companies operating in the sector, the market shows a high level of concentration.
This structure creates opportunities for consolidation and recovery under improved economic conditions, offering moderate but realistic growth potential.
Metal Products
The metal products sector is developing at a stable pace, achieving PLN 144.3 billion in revenues and a year-on-year increase of PLN 5.59 billion. With 6,802 companies, the sector is highly diversified and shows strong potential for innovation in production and processing.
Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
Electrical equipment manufacturing is growing dynamically, with revenues of PLN 121.4 billion and a year-on-year increase of PLN 10.46 billion. Investments in energy infrastructure, automation, and industrial technologies are key growth drivers.
The presence of 1,109 companies ensures competition while still allowing room for specialization and niche development.
Rubber and Plastic Products
The rubber and plastic products sector maintains stable revenues of PLN 116.7 billion, with a positive growth of PLN 1.24 billion year-on-year. Demand from the automotive and construction industries supports further development.
With 2,575 operating companies, the sector offers space for technological expansion and growth in specialized segments.
Chemical Industry
The chemical industry remains an important part of the economy, generating PLN 104 billion in revenue, despite a slight year-on-year decline of PLN 25.65 million. With 1,756 companies, there are clear opportunities for niche development and specialization, which may support stabilization and future recovery.
Pharma and medical device industry in Poland is also going strong as we covered in our 2025 update.
Summary of sector trends in Poland
Polish industries present a mix of growth opportunities and challenges. The food sector leads clearly, generating PLN 344.1 billion across 4,478 companies, with strong year-on-year growth. Construction is another major force, with nearly 46,000 companies generating PLN 378.48 billion and growing at an average rate of 7% per year.
Manufacturing segments such as electrical equipment, metal products, and rubber and plastic goods continue to expand, showing healthy revenue growth and room for innovation. In contrast, the automotive and chemical sectors face pressure, underlining the need for cautious strategic planning.
The financial and insurance sector remains stable, generating over PLN 255 billion, while utilities (electricity, gas, and air conditioning supply) show minimal revenue growth despite an increasing number of companies. And the fintech sector in Poland is on the rise.
Overall, momentum is strongest in food, construction, and innovative manufacturing, while sectors such as automotive and chemicals require closer analysis and careful positioning.
What will the 2026 bring?
This is a question every entrepreneur would like answered. While we can only estimate and predict, one thing is certain: the new year is often the right moment to expand into new markets, including the Polish one.
If you would like to learn more, book a call with our CEO, Dominik Wantuch. He will explain the market specifics and show how Architecture of Sales can support your expansion strategy in Poland.
Sources:
Ewelina Piechota
I am a B2B Sales Specialist with over 13 years of experience, passionate about building strong and lasting business relationships. I thrive in working with people and value a true partnership approach in sales — focusing on understanding client needs and creating solutions that bring mutual success.
Newsletter
Subscribe for more
Subscribe to our newsletter to get unique insights into the Polish market.
No strings attached, you can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
