Poland is growing, while Norway is losing workers. Norwegian newspaper reports major shift
The Polish economy has caught the attention of one of Norway's largest newspapers. „Aftenposten” describes the country as one of Europe's most dynamic economies, approaching the group of the world's 20 largest economies. At the same time, fewer and fewer Poles are choosing Norway as a destination for labour migration.
Norwegian media once again draw attention to Poland's major economic leap.
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Until recently, Poland was associated in Norway with communism, poverty and mass labour migration. Now, „Aftenposten” points out that the country is undergoing a period of rapid development, while some European economies are struggling with stagnation and industrial problems. Economic indicators have also changed. Poland has overtaken Japan in GDP per capita calculated by purchasing power parity, while income inequality is lower than in Sweden.
Poland is experiencing a golden age. Norwegians describe the sources of its success
Professor Marcin Piątkowski speaks of Poland's „golden age”. The economist from Kozminski University in Warsaw told „Aftenposten” that economic growth over the past 40 years has been exceptional compared with similar countries. He identified several reasons for this process, including the education of society, entrepreneurship and relatively low income inequality.
Economic decisions and European integration also played an important role. Piątkowski pointed to the pragmatism of economic elites and Poland's membership in the European Union, while stressing that the country's development took place without significant natural resources. In his view, the scale of these changes remains largely unnoticed beyond Poland's borders. However, „Aftenposten” shows that Poland is increasingly becoming a place where foreigners do business as well.
Economic decisions and European integration also played an important role. Piątkowski pointed to the pragmatism of economic elites and Poland's membership in the European Union, while stressing that the country's development took place without significant natural resources. In his view, the scale of these changes remains largely unnoticed beyond Poland's borders. However, „Aftenposten” shows that Poland is increasingly becoming a place where foreigners do business as well.
From an article on Poland's economic miracle in the Norwegian newspaper @Aftenposten: "We are experiencing Poland's golden age. Economic growth over the past 40 years has been exceptional compared with similar countries," Professor Marcin Piątkowski, an economist at Kozminski University @KozminskiUni in Warsaw and author of the book "Europe's Growth Champion", told the Norwegian daily. According to Piątkowski, the success is driven by the education of society, entrepreneurship, relatively low income inequality, the pragmatism of economic elites and membership in the European Union. He stressed that Poland achieved an economic miracle without significant natural resources, while the scale of this achievement still remains almost unnoticed abroad." https://t.co/m6Q7E7t7dR
— Marcin Piatkowski (@mmpiatkowski) November 8, 2026
Poland attracts entrepreneurs. Norway is losing workers
The newspaper cited the example of 26-year-old Ukrainian woman Yaryna Samotys. Within two years, she developed a frozen pizza production company in Poland that now employs 30 people and generates annual revenue of EUR 3.5 million. This is one of the cases of foreign entrepreneurs described by „Aftenposten”. Economic changes are also affecting Poland's relations with Norway.
Just over a decade ago, the number of Polish immigrants in Norway was growing by as many as 13,000 people annually. According to Norway's national statistical office, however, in 2025 it increased by only 360 people, the lowest figure since Poland joined the European Union. Rising wages in Poland and a weak NOK are making labour migration to Norway less attractive. For the Norwegian economy, this means a change in one of its previous sources of workers.
Just over a decade ago, the number of Polish immigrants in Norway was growing by as many as 13,000 people annually. According to Norway's national statistical office, however, in 2025 it increased by only 360 people, the lowest figure since Poland joined the European Union. Rising wages in Poland and a weak NOK are making labour migration to Norway less attractive. For the Norwegian economy, this means a change in one of its previous sources of workers.
Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg warned that the number of working-age people in Norway has stopped growing. He identified the shortage of labour as the greatest threat to the economy. For years, some of these shortages were filled by workers from Poland, whose inflow is now significantly weaker.
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