ByadminSalary and employment in the health sector: latest stats
The General Statistical Office of Poland published data on the labour market and wages in 2019. The largest increase in wages was recorded in the category “Health and social assistance”, but the average wage in this sector has not yet reached the level of the average wage in the economy.
In particular, the average salary in the category “Health and Social Assistance” increased by 9.8% in 2019. At the same time, the average gross salary in the national economy increased by 7.2%. However, the average salary in the economy in 2019 was PLN 4,918.17 and in healthcare – PLN 4,847.04.
Employment in Healthcare: information is disappointing
Information on employment in the health sector is disappointing so far. Employment in this area increased by only 0.3% in 2019 compared with 2018. In such categories as “Transport” and “Information and Communications” this indicator increased by 3.7%, which is not surprising as the average salary in these sectors is the highest in the country – over PLN 8,400.
Meanwhile, according to the General Statistical Office, Poland has the lowest rates in the EU in terms of the number of doctors, nurses, midwives and other health workers per capita. This means that the current salary level, despite the impressive growth, is not very attractive for candidates.
Will the crisis change this situation? Healthcare institutions were an attractive employer in 2009-2011, when Poland was struggling with the aftermath of the financial crisis (as the only EU country without a recession), – unlike many other industries, healthcare workers were hired rather than fired.
The data of the General Directorate of Statistics of Poland for May 2020 indicate that this time the situation will repeat itself. Employment has generally declined and wages have also declined. However, in the health sector the minimum wage has increased and is expected to rise further. This means that the average salary in the health and social care sector in 2020-2021 can reach the one in the economy and even exceed it.
Profession Barometer 2020 Report
There is a shortage of doctors, physiotherapists, nurses and caregivers for the elderly or disabled this year, according to the 2020 Profession Barometer. The study was prepared by the labour office of the Malopolskie Voivodeship in the framework of the nationwide survey “Activity barometer”, conducted at the request of the Minister of Family Affairs, Labour and Social Policy.
Experts believe that the main reason for the growing shortage of medical workers is the aging of the Polish population. “For 4 years in a row, there has been a shortage of qualified personnel in the healthcare sector,” says the “Barometer”.
Hospitals and other health care facilities in smaller communities report the largest staff shortages. The fact is that, medical specialists often work in several institutions in Poland, usually public and private, and sooner or later decide to start their own business, including because of the desire to receive more income than the employer can offer them.
There is a growing need for doctors this year in most voivodeships, and in some districts there is even a rapid increase in demand due to the retirement of doctors and their migration, according to the report.
How serious is it?
The information on staff shortages in Polish healthcare is not new. The General Medical Council estimates that Poland needs 68,000 doctors of various specialties. According to the General Statistical Office of Poland, there are only 23 specialists per 10 thousand of the population. This is the worst result in the EU. In addition, the average age of specialists is increasing. For example, the average age of a surgeon in Poland is 60 years.
