The Wielkopolska Region is one of the most economically developed regions in Poland, consistently taking (according to a number of economic statistical indicators) the 3rd position in the country. It is characterized by a high concentration of foreign capital engaged in the region and high investment outlays per capita. The economic situation of the region is a consequence of its steady development with a significant degree of industrialization and a high level of technology. The factors supporting rapid economic development still include the high potential of local human capital, as well as good transport connections, an extensive business environment and traditions of industrial and commercial culture.

 

Features of the region's economy

Science plays an important role in the dynamic development of the region and an increase in its economic competitiveness, which, together with business and local governments, transforms Wielkopolska into an innovative region, developing its economy based on knowledge. Wielkopolska is developing advanced technologies, including: the areas of IT, automotive industry and highly specialized services. There have also been proposals for new pillars of the region's development based on renewable energy sources and the use of hydrogen. The challenges resulting from climate change and their economic and social consequences are the basis for the currently implemented restructuring processes of the region's economic potential. Smart Specializations of Wielkopolska remain priority areas for the development of the region's economy from the point of view of pursuing pro-innovation policy:

1. Bio-based raw materials and food for conscious recipients,
2. Interiors of the future,
3. The industry of tomorrow,
4. Specialized logistics processes,
5. ICT-based development, 
6. Modern medical technologies.

 

Economic activity of the population in the Wielkopolska Region

In the first quarter of 2024, the professionally active population included 1,677 thousand people (a decrease by 1.1%, as compared to the same period in 2023). There were 1,140,000 economically inactive people ( an increase by 2.2%). The professional activity rate was 59.9%, 4th position in the country.

 

Indicators of the general economic situation of the region

• labor productivity in industry, measured by the value of sold production per employee, in June 2024 amounted to PLN 62.5 thousand (in current prices), i.e. by 2.5% higher (in constant prices) than a year before;
• labor productivity in construction, measured by the value of production sold per employee in the section, in June 2024 amounted to PLN 81.2 thousand, i.e. 13.2% lower than the year before;
• The value of retail sales by commercial and non-trading enterprises remained stable (in June 2024, it increased by 11.5%, as compared to the same period in 2023). Annual average 24.8%.

 

Gross domestic product

GDP volume (projection in % according to Statistics Poland data for 2021/verified 2023.)

1. Masovian Region – 22.6% (including the Warsaw capital region: 17.3%)
2. Silesian Region – 12.0%
3. Wielkopolska Region – 9.9%;

The GDP of the Wielkopolska Region is comparable to or higher than the GDP of a number of European Union countries (Bulgaria, Lithuania or Slovenia) and a number of developed European regions (Picardy/France, Marche/Italy or Styria/Austria).

 

Entities of the national economy in the REGON register

In June 2024, the REGON register for the Wielkopolska Region included 511,742 entities of the national economy (excluding individual farms in the agricultural sector), including 372.8 thousand natural persons running a business - 3rd position in the country (after the Masovian and Silesian regions) (GROWTH by 3.0% per year)).

The size of national economy entities by the number of employees:

• less than 10 employees: 96.7%;
• 10-49 employees: 2.7%;
• 50-249 employees: 0.5%;
• over 250 employees: 0.1%.
• 96.3% of entities belonged to the private sector.
• Number of commercial companies: 65.4 thousand (2nd position in the country)
• 86.0% capital companies (joint-stock companies/limited liability companies);
• 14.0% partnerships (partnership companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships and limited joint-stock partnerships);
• Number of civil partnerships: 26.2 thousand.  
• Number of commercial companies with foreign capital: 6.1 thousand.

 

Average employment in the enterprise sector

in June 2024 it amounted to 855.1 thousand people and decreased slightly, as compared to the average level in 2023 by 0.4%

Sectors with the highest employment levels:

• industrial processing (36.3%), 
• trade; repair of motor vehicles (34.6%) and 
• transport and storage (10.5%). 

Sectors with the lowest employment levels:

• mining and mineral extraction (0.4%) and
• real estate market services (0.78% of total employees). 

 

General characteristics of registered unemployment

The Wielkopolska Region is characterized by the lowest level of unemployment in Poland. At the end of June 2024, there were 45.6 thousand unemployed in the records of district labour offices. - the unemployment rate was 2.9%. The Wielkopolska Region consistently had the lowest unemployment rate (national average - 4.9%).

 

Remuneration

The average monthly gross salary in the enterprise sector in June 2024 was PLN 7,301.98 and maintained a slight upward trend throughout the year (12th position in the country). 

1. The sectors of the economy with the highest level of gross remuneration remained: information and communication (PLN 13.7 thousand), production and supply of electricity and other heat carriers (PLN 10.2 thousand) and professional, scientific and technical activities (9 PLN 6,000). 
2. The lowest salaries were recorded in the accommodation and catering sector (PLN 5.5 thousand).  

 

Economic situation of the region

Constant trends in the pace of economic development:

• retail sector, 
• construction sector. 

Indicators of a positive economic climate:

• wholesale trade sector

Periodic indicators of a negative economic climate

• accommodation and catering sector,
• transport and warehousing sector,
• information and communication sector.