Economy

Economic situation of The Wielkopolska Region

The Wielkopolska Region is one of the most economically developed regions in Poland, consistently occupying (according to a range of economic statistical indicators) the 3rd position in the country. It is characterised by a high concentration of foreign capital involved in the region and high investment expenditures per capita. The region's economic situation is a consequence of its even development with a significant degree of industrialisation and a high technological level. The factors conducive to rapid economic development include the great potential of local human capital, a good transport network, an extensive business environment, as well as industrial and commercial culture traditions.

Features of the region's economy

An important role in the dynamic development of the region and the growth of its economic competitiveness is played by science, which, together with business and local self-governments, transforms Wielkopolska into an innovative region, developing its economy based on knowledge. Wielkopolska develops advanced technologies in the fields such as IT, the automotive industry and highly specialised services. There are also proposals for new pillars for the region's development based on renewable energy sources and the use of hydrogen. The challenges related to climate change and its economic and social consequences are the basis for the currently implemented processes of restructuring the region's economic potential. From the point of view of pursuing pro-innovation policy, priority areas for the development of the region's economy remain the Smart Specialisations of Wielkopolska:

• Bioresources and food for conscious consumers,
• Interiors of the future,
• Industry of tomorrow,
• Specialised logistics processes,
• ICT-based development, 
• Modern medical technologies. 

Selected economic indicators for the region

Economic activity of the population in the Wielkopolska Region

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the economically active population comprised 1,690 thousand persons (a decrease of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2023).  The economic activity rate was 68.3% for the male population and 52.0% for the female population. There were 1,131 thousand economically inactive persons (an increase by 2.4%).

Gross domestic product

GDP volume (projection in % according to Statistics Poland data for 2023): PLN 3,401.6 billion / USD 852.8 billion

1. The Mazowieckie Region - 23.7% (including Warsaw, the capital city region: 18.3%)
2. The Śląskie Region - 11.9%
3. The Wielkopolska Region - 9.8% (PLN 333.6 billion / USD 83.6 billion);

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

Leading economic sectors - contribution to GVA (gross value added)

1. Industrial production and derivatives: 29.3% (3rd position in the country); 

2. trade; repair of motor vehicles, transport and storage, accommodation and catering, information and communication: 28.8% (3rd position in the country);
3. services: 22.6% (4th position in the country);
4. financial and insurance activities and real estate services 7.9% (3rd position in the country);
5. construction 7.7% (3rd position in the country).

National economy entities in the National Official Business Register/REGON (March 2025)

520,949 national economy entities (excluding individual farms in the agricultural sector 3rd position in the country, after the Mazowieckie and Śląskie regions)      

• 96.7% employ fewer than 10 employees;
• 96.3% of the entities belong to the private sector.

Number of commercial companies: 66.9 thousand (2nd position in the country);

• 86.0% capital companies (joint stock companies/limited liability companies);
• 14.0% partnerships (partnerships, general partnerships, limited partnerships and
• limited joint-stock partnerships);

Number of commercial companies with foreign capital: 6.2 thousand.

Average employment in the corporate sector (March 2025)

862.5 thousand persons (2nd position in the country after the Mazowieckie Region)

Sectors with the highest employment levels:

• industrial processing (36.2%),
• trade; repair of motor vehicles (34.7%) and
• transport and storage (10.4%).

Sectors with the lowest employment levels:

• mining and quarrying (0.4%) and
• real estate services (0.8% of total employment).

General characteristics of registered unemployment (March 2025)

lowest in Poland, with an unemployment rate of 3.3% (against a national average of 5.4%).

Remuneration (March 2025 )

average gross monthly remuneration in the corporate sector - PLN 8,105.56 gross (10th position in the country).

• Sectors of the economy with the highest remuneration levels:

1. information and communication,
2. generation and supply of electricity and other heat carriers, and
3. mining and quarrying.

• Sector of the economy with the lowest remuneration level:
• accommodation and catering. 

General economic situation of the region

Development trends

• industrial processing;
• information and communication;
• wholesale trade;
• transport and storage.

Decline trends

• accommodation and catering;
• construction.