In April 2026, business confidence indicators across most sectors of the Polish economy pointed to stabilisation or an improvement in corporate sentiment. The strongest improvement was recorded in accommodation and food services, while a clear deterioration was seen in transport and warehousing, according to the latest survey by Statistics Poland (GUS).<\/p>\n
In manufacturing, the general business climate indicator rose to minus 4.4 points in April, up from minus 5.2 points a month earlier. Although the improvement was modest, it suggests that industrial companies assessed their current situation slightly more positively than in March. Construction also posted a mild improvement, with the indicator reaching minus 2.4 points compared with minus 2.8 points in the previous month.<\/p>\n
The picture was less upbeat in trade. In wholesale trade, the indicator fell from plus 2.5 points to plus 1.7 points. This still signals a positive assessment of market conditions, but weaker than a month earlier. Retail trade, meanwhile, remained unchanged at minus 1.3 points, pointing more to stagnation than to a clear recovery.<\/p>\n
The sharpest deterioration was recorded in transport and warehousing. The indicator for this sector dropped to minus 5.6 points from minus 3.4 points in March, making it the most pessimistic sector in the survey. Forecasts were particularly weak, with the expectations component falling to minus 9.8 points.<\/p>\n
At the other end of the spectrum, accommodation and food services saw the strongest improvement of all sectors covered by the survey. The indicator jumped to plus 10.2 points in April from plus 3.7 points a month earlier. This may reflect seasonal demand as well as more favourable expectations for the coming months. The forward-looking component for the sector rose sharply to plus 18.2 points.<\/p>\n
Companies in information and communication, as well as in finance and insurance, also continued to report relatively strong conditions. In information and communication, the indicator stood at plus 9.6 points in April, down slightly from plus 10.7 points in March, which still points to solid sentiment despite a mild decline. Financial and insurance activities remained the strongest-performing area in the entire survey. The indicator improved to plus 29.3 points from plus 26.8 points a month earlier and stayed above its long-term average.<\/p>\n
The survey also shows that in most sectors, companies were more likely to report stabilisation or improvement in their current situation than in their expectations for the months ahead. In forecasts, signals of stabilisation or deterioration appeared more frequently. This suggests that businesses view present conditions somewhat more favourably than the outlook for the next quarter.<\/p>\n
The war in Ukraine remains a risk factor for business activity, although most firms described its impact as either negligible or absent. Transport and warehousing remained the most exposed sector, with more than 12% of respondents reporting serious consequences or a threat to business stability. A similar share was recorded in wholesale trade. The most frequently cited consequence of the war was higher costs, followed by weaker sales and disruptions in supply chains.<\/p>\n
Cost pressure continues to be one of the main challenges for companies. Across most of the sectors covered, firms expect further increases in the prices of services, materials and raw materials in both the short and longer term. Entrepreneurs identified energy and fuel prices as the factor likely to have the strongest impact on operating costs over the next quarter. In many sectors, particularly transport, construction and wholesale trade, more than 90% of respondents pointed to this issue. Labour costs, component and service prices, and rental costs were also seen as important burdens.<\/p>\n
Companies are also taking a cautious view of financing conditions. Some businesses expect that, over the next 12 months, current and anticipated changes in credit availability or financing costs could lead them to postpone investment decisions and reduce employment or output. At the same time, most responses were marked by caution and a lack of firm judgment, highlighting the high level of uncertainty surrounding the broader economic outlook.<\/p>\n
Source: Statistics Poland (GUS).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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