Polish Business Services Sector Prioritizes Efficiency Over Hiring

Poland's business services sector is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting its focus from expanding employment to boosting efficiency, according to a report by the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL).

“

Data indicates a shift in business services in Poland towards a model based on efficiency.

Mariusz Mulas, ABSL's vice president for business analysis, noted that export per employee increased by $10,000 last year to $96,700. This rise is driven by a growing proportion of mid-office and knowledge-intensive processes, which now constitute 63% and nearly 60% of operations, respectively. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is enabling companies to move up the value chain while maintaining stable employment levels.

“

AI development allows us to move up the value chain while stabilizing employment levels.

As of March, the sector employed 500,500 people, a modest 1.8% increase from the previous year. This growth rate is lower than previously forecast, suggesting a deliberate strategy to scale "value and operational intelligence" rather than sheer headcount. Janusz Dziurzyński, ABSL president in Poland, highlighted that this sector is pioneering productivity standards based on AI and new labor market demands that will soon define the competitiveness of the entire Polish economy.

“

We are now scaling primarily value and operational intelligence that builds entire value chains.

The business services sector's contribution to Poland's GDP has reached a record 6.1%, with its share in total enterprise employment at 7.8%. Future projections indicate continued growth in value, with a baseline scenario anticipating 0-0.5% employment increase this year alongside an 8-10% export growth. However, by 2027, a potential 2% decrease in employment is predicted due to advancing automation of simpler processes and offshoring to lower-cost markets. Despite this, the sector expects to see 35-45 new centers opening annually, focusing on knowledge-intensive and digital services.

“

This is where AI-based productivity standards, talent trends, and new labor market requirements are emerging, which will soon define the competitiveness of the entire Polish business.