In 2002 sold production increased by 1.5 per cent on average. Of 16 voivodships in 9 similar tendency was recorded - growth from 0.1 per cent to 4.7 per cent. Higher than average increase in sold production occurred in the following voivodships: Malopolskie (by 6.7 per cent), Lubelskie (by 4.7 per cent), Pomorskie (by 4.0 per cent), Podlaskie (by 3.6 per cent) and Silesia (by 3.5 per cent). In Wielkopolskie sold production of industry was by 1.5 per cent up, while in Warminsko - Mazurskie, Mazowieckie and Lubuskie it did not exceed 1 per cent. In other voivodships sold production value declined in comparison with 2001. The most considerable drop in sold production was recorded in Zachodniopomorskie (by 8.5 per cent) and in Podkarpackie (by 4.9 per cent).

Sold production of construction

In 2002 a decline in sold production of construction was recorded (by 9 per cent in current prices). Entities almost from all voivodships contributed to this performance. A rise in construction production (of 2.1 per cent) occurred only in Podlaskie voivodship. In other voivodships a wide range of drops in production were recorded: from several percent (Mazowieckie - 3 per cent, Wielkopolskie - 3.8 per cent) to almost 33 per cent in Lubuskie.

Dwellings completed

In 2002 almost 99.1 thousand dwellings were completed, of which 51.7 thousand in private housing. The largest dwelling investments were carried out in Mazovia (22.7 thousand) Wielkopolska (9.4 thousand), Górny Slask (8.0 thousand) and Dolny Slask (7.1 thousand). The lowest number of dwellings completed was recorded in Opolskie (1.3 thousand). In comparison with 2001, the largest increase in dwellings completed was recorded in Swietokrzyskie (by 51.2 per cent), Podkarpackie (43.6 per cent) and Slaskie (22.2 per cent). Dwelling construction subtracted most in Lubelskie voivodship (a drop of close to 30 per cent in the number of new flats completed).

Average employment in industry

Average employment in industry decreased by 5.6 per cent in 2002. In all regions of Polandsimilar changes were recorded, but their range varied from one another. Employment shrunk most in Swietokrzyskie (by 14 per cent). In other voivodships a drop in employment did not exceed 10 per cent, but there were several regions with the rate close to this level (Lubuskie - 9.2 per cent, Zachodniopomorskie - 9.4 per cent, Lubelskie - 8.2 per cent). Employment in Wielkopolskie and in Mazovia declined at the lowest degree (respectively by 3.3 per cent and 3.5 per cent).

Employment in construction subtracted by 12.3 per cent in 2002 and occurred in all voivodships. The deepest slump in employment in construction enterprises was recorded in Lubuskie and Swietokrzyskie (by over 20 per cent). Employment in Wielkopolska and Górny Slask shrank relatively insignificantly (by several per cent). But most of all drops in employment reached dozen or so per cent.

Average monthly wages and salaries in industry

The highest levels of average monthly wages and salaries in industry were recorded in Mazowieckie (PLN 2,812) and Slaskie (PLN 2,655). Below the average employees were paid in Lubuskie (PLN 1,836), Podkarpackie (PLN 1,916), Podlaskie (PLN 1,915) and Lubelskie (PLN 1,953). Almost in all voivodships wages and salaries increased as compared to a year before (1.7 - 4.7 growth rates). The most substantial rises in wages and salaries occurred in Lódzkie and Opolskie. Only in Zachodniopomorskie average monthly wages and salaries were by 4.4 per cent down in relation to 2001.

In construction average monthly wages and salaries increased by 1.8 per cent in 2002 to PLN 2.082. Higher than average wages and salaries in construction were recorded in Mazowieckie (PLN 2,810), Wielkopolskie (PLN 2,124), Swietokrzyskie (PLN 2,123) and Pomorskie (2,097). Statistically lowest wages and salaries were paid employees of construction enterprises in Lubuskie (PLN 1,722) Also in Lubuskie the most considerable drop in wages and salaries occurred (by 5 per cent).

Unemployment

In 2002 3,217 thousand of unemployed were registered in the labour offices (by 3.3 per cent more than a year before). They accounted for 18.1 of economically active people. In the entire 2002 the number of unemployed increased most in Pomorskie (9.1 per cent), Zachodniopomorskie (8.2 per cent) and Lubuskie (7.2 per cent). Among few voivodships, where registered unemployment decreased were Podkarpackie (by 3.9 per cent), Malopolskie (by 2.3 per cent), Warminsko-Mazurskie (by 1 per cent), Podlaskie (by 0.5 per cent) and Lubelskie (by 0.1 per cent). The highest unemployment rate was recorded in Warminsko-Mazurskie (28.8 per cent), Zachodniopomorskie (26.4 per cent), Lubuskie (25.9 per cent). Unemployment rate of over 20 per cent occurred also in Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Dolnoslaskie. In Malopolskie and Mazovia (13.9 per cent) unemployment turned out to be the lowest.

In the majority of voivodships the share of persons without the right for unemployment benefit accounted for over 80 per cent of total unemployed. The highest indices as regards this relation were recorded in Lubelskie (89 per cent), Slaskie (86.3 per cent) and Podlaskie (85.8 per cent). Lubuskie voivodship was the only one to record the index of persons without the right for unemployment benefit to the total number of unemployed at the level of 76.9 per cent.

In global terms there were 387 unemployed per one work offer in 2002, but the situation varied in the regions. In Swietokrzyskie voivodship there were close to 1.6 thousand persons per one work offer. In Lodzkie or Slaskie it was relatively easier to get a job (200 unemployed per one work offer).

Source: Ministry of Economy, Labour and Social Policy "A study of Poland's economic performance in 2002"