Younger Poles receiving disability pensions signal worsening health, experts warn

Poland is grappling with a concerning trend: its disability pensioners are getting younger. A recent report from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reveals a systematic decline in the average age of individuals receiving disability pensions for the first time. While the year-on-year decrease may seem small, the long-term pattern is clear and points to a potentially worsening public health landscape.

Experts believe that a growing number of mental health disorders is a key driver behind this phenomenon. This category shows one of the lowest average ages among those declared completely unable to work. Łukasz Kozłowski of the Polish Employers' Federation notes that this trend is unusual and suggests a decline in the overall health of the population. He dismisses the idea that structural changes in the benefits system are to blame, as the effective retirement age has not decreased.

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This is indeed a trend that is worth analyzing carefully. The decreasing average age of people receiving a disability pension may indicate a worsening state of health of the society. This is not a phenomenon that should be expected under normal circumstances.

The data indicates that mental disorders accounted for 13.5% of first-time disability rulings in 2025, up from 13% the previous year. Individuals with these conditions are, on average, younger than other beneficiaries. Specifically, the lowest average age (43.6 years) for those deemed completely unable to work was recorded in cases related to mental disorders. These conditions have been a primary reason for initial disability rulings for several years, presenting a significant challenge for the social insurance system as these individuals remain outside the workforce for extended periods.

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The share of rulings issued due to mental disorders is growing. In 2025, they constituted 13.5% of all first-time rulings, and a year earlier it was 13%. If people affected by these conditions are, on average, younger than other beneficiaries, then such a trend may lower the average age of people receiving disability pensions.