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Survey: Poles tighten Christmas budgets

09.12.2025 15:20
Poles plan to spend an average of PLN 1,387 (EUR 328) on Christmas this year, down PLN 66 (EUR 16) from 2024 and continuing a two-year decline in festive budgets, according to a nationwide survey.
A Christmas market in the historic Nikiszowiec district of Katowice, southern Poland, where this years edition features a drone show and special light installations alongside the usual craft stalls, local food and artistic performances, 6 December 2025.
A Christmas market in the historic Nikiszowiec district of Katowice, southern Poland, where this year’s edition features a drone show and special light installations alongside the usual craft stalls, local food and artistic performances, 6 December 2025.Photo: PAP/Kasia Zaremba

The trend reflects cautious household spending amid rising living costs and slower wage growth.

Based on official wage data, an employee earning the national average would need roughly 4.8 working days to cover the planned holiday outlay – slightly less than last year and notably below 2023 levels, when nearly seven days were required.

Minimum-wage earners would need around 8.5 days.

Higher-paid sectors accumulate the festive sum far faster.

Employees in information and communications take about three days to earn the amount, while those in agriculture, forestry and fishing need just over three.

Miners and employees in energy and technical professions are close behind at around 3.5 to 3.6 days.

For most mid-income sectors – such as construction, transport, warehousing, manufacturing and cultural services – the figure sits at around five days.

Staff in hospitality face the longest stretch, needing more than six days of work due to comparatively low average wages.

The current statutory minimum monthly wage in Poland is PLN 4,666 (EUR 1,103) gross.

Meanwhile, recent data from the national statistics office indicate that the average monthly wage in October stood at PLN 8,865.12 (EUR 2,095) gross.

The spending estimate is based on the annual Christmas barometer prepared by lender Provident, while the wage-to-cost calculations draw on analysis by job agency Personnel Service.

(ał)

Source: Personnel Service