Hidden unemployment at Polish universities

News Tank Academic - Brussels - Opinion #459942 - Published on 11/11/26 at 12:55
© SIRIS
Zofia Sawicka - © SIRIS

In an opinion piece for News Tank on 11/11/2026, Zofia Sawicka, Head of the consultancy and research firm specialising in higher education, SIRIS Academic, in Poland, reflects on the structural shortcomings of the Polish higher education system, particularly concerning human resources management, the employment of academic staff and the quality of teaching and research.

In this opinion, entitled "Hidden unemployment at Polish universities", Sawicka noted that the number of academic staff had risen by 20 per cent since 2000, whilst the population aged 20-24 had fallen by 45 % (from 3.7 to 1.7 million). Poland has 13 students per academic staff member, which is half the figure recorded in 2000.

The total wage bill is set to rise by 57% between 2021 and 2025 as a result of statutory pay rises…

© SIRIS
Zofia Sawicka - © SIRIS

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