Underemployment Among Educated Poles

This chapter presents the issue of underemployment affecting highly educated Poles. It analyzes the extent of underemployment in the Polish labor market and its effect on such factors as income stability, job satisfaction, or life satisfaction. The gender aspect of underemployment (whether women are more likely to be underemployed than men, or vice versa) is also analyzed.

In the paper, data from both primary and secondary sources were used, and statistical methods were applied, i.e., descriptive statistics and OLS regression models. In contrast to unemployment among persons with higher education, which is currently negligible in Poland (with the exception of a specific group of graduates entering the labor market), underemployment constitutes a significant issue. More than 15% of educated Poles would like to work more hours per week and more than 40% work below their level of qualification. Underemployment brings negative consequences for employees, such as lower income, lower financial stability of the family, or lower satisfaction from work and life.