The Polish HR services market continues to grow steadily and is increasingly responding to employers’ changing needs. The latest report, “HR Services Market 2025,” prepared by the Polish HR Forum (PFHR), shows that the combined turnover of member companies reached PLN 7.6 billion in 2025. This result confirms that the HR sector is one of the key elements of labor market infrastructure in Poland.

Over one million people find employment through agencies each year

Employment agencies in Poland support more than one million people annually in finding work. At the end of 2025, there were 8,286 employment agencies operating in Poland. Despite a 3% year-on-year decline in the number of entities, the market remains dynamic—1,493 new agencies were registered during the year, and 1,756 were removed from the register.

- For years, we have emphasized that such high turnover of market entities does not help maintain high service standards. More than 30% of entities registered in the National Register of Employment Agencies are sole proprietors. This is problematic if they provide temporary work services, which require significant financial outlays and involve a range of responsibilities – emphasizes Anna Wicha, President of the Polish HR Forum. – The market is highly fragmented, which makes it harder to monitor. Given the growing demand for flexible employment solutions, we must constantly remember that this must go hand in hand with a responsible approach to running this business – she adds.

Temporary work: 6% growth

The turnover of member companies in the temporary work segment amounted to nearly PLN 4.8 billion in 2025. The estimated value of the entire Polish market is around PLN 7.4 billion, which means a 6% year-on-year increase. We recorded the same growth in the number of employed workers. In PFHR member companies, as many as 82% of people perform temporary work under an employment contract (for the overall market, this figure is 38%). Additionally, the number of hours worked by temporary workers is also increasing.

– For the first time in 2 years, we are seeing growth in FTE, i.e., the number of hours worked by temporary workers converted into full-time equivalents. It began in the second quarter of last year, and everything indicates that it will continue this year as well. This is a very positive signal not only for agencies but also for the entire market. Companies are looking to the future with greater confidence; macroeconomic data confirm this. After 2024, which was a lost year for investment, things started moving in 2025. Forecasts show that 2026 will be even more interesting in this respect – notes Antonio Carvelli, Management Board Member of the Polish HR Forum.

Foreign workers play an important role—according to Ministry data, they account for nearly half of temporary workers. The largest groups come from Ukraine, Belarus, and Georgia, as well as from South American and Asian countries, including Colombia and the Philippines. – Given demographic changes and the insufficient pace of automation, foreign workers provide enormous support to our labor market. According to ZUS data, around 1.2 million foreigners worked in Poland last year. Let us remember, however, that year-on-year growth in this number is becoming less dynamic. It is increasingly difficult to find candidates from third countries. The legal environment, which keeps changing, does not help either – comments Ewelina Glińska-Kołodziej, Management Board Member of the Polish HR Forum.

Recruitment – a strong end to the year

The recruitment market remains challenging. For many months, we have observed persistent declines in the number of published job offers. Although PFHR member companies closed the whole of 2025 with a 2% decrease in turnover from recruitment services for Polish employers, it is worth noting that the second half of the year inspires optimism. Growth in the third and fourth quarters amounted to 6% and 7% year-on-year, respectively. – This is a long-awaited and very positive signal for the market. Recruitment has picked up in the technology, healthcare, logistics, e-commerce, and industrial sectors. What is more, the net employment forecast for the first quarter of 2026 reached as high as 22%, which is the best result since the end of 2021. Employer sentiment is improving. This is also visible in member companies’ results in RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing). Growth at 11% is a signal that Poland remains an attractive investment location, and the implementation of RPO projects reflects this – comments Szymon Rudnicki, Vice President of the Polish HR Forum.

HR as a labor market stabilizer

The report’s conclusions show that the HR industry is playing an increasingly important role in stabilizing the labor market during periods of economic uncertainty. Flexible forms of employment, service professionalization, and the growing importance of outsourcing and RPO mean that the HR sector is becoming a strategic business partner.