Poland is one of the EU States in which the unemployment level remains high, despite the recorded decrease. At the end of September 2007, the number of the unemployed registered at the labour offices was 1 777 800 (including 1 059 000 women), of which 43,6% were people living in rural areas. At the same time, the unemployment rate was equal to 11,6% of the labour force.
Unemployment rates in all 16 voivodeships are shown on the map below:
The high tax wedge is frequently seen as one of the main reasons for such a high unemployment rate. These costs of labour include high taxation, resulting from the need to pay contributions to the Social Insurance Institution in order to finance the pension systems and social expenditure.
In September 2007, the highest unemployment rate was recorded in the following voivodeships:
- Warmińsko-Mazurskie (Olsztyn): 19,0%;
- Zachodnio-Pomorskie (Szczecin): 16,7%;
- Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Bydgoszcz): 15,2%.
The lowest unemployment rate was recorded in the following voivodeships:
- Wielkopolskie (Poznań): 8,3%;
- Małopolskie (Kraków): 9,0%;
- Mazowieckie (Warszawa): 9,5%;
