Lodz continues its dynamic development, becoming one of the most innovative centers in Poland. With an overall rating of 7.2/10 in this year’s edition of the Business Environment Assessment Study (BEAS), it climbed 0.6 points in the ranking compared to the previous edition in 2021. With 21 higher education institutions and over 71,000 students, the city is one of the key academic centers in Poland, offering access to a wide pool of qualified graduates annually.
The fourth edition of the Business Environment Assessment Study (BEAS), created by Antal and Cushman & Wakefield, in partnership with Baker McKenzie, PAIH, Pracodawcy RP, Pro Progressio, and Vastint, reveals investment plans of business leaders operating in Polish cities for the years 2023-2025. Poland has long maintained and strengthened its position as a leader in attracting investments, including foreign ones.
Level of planned investments
Lodz, with its rich industrial and cultural heritage, is transforming into a vibrant investment and innovation hub, attracting the attention of both domestic and international entrepreneurs. Thanks to initiatives such as the Special Economic Zone, strategic location, and developed transportation infrastructure, Łódź is attracting new investments. The city has been identified as a location considered for investment for the years 2023-2025 by 11% of the survey respondents.
Lodz is today a significant and dynamically developing economic hub in the Central-Eastern Europe region. Its central location gives the city a momentum for development and makes it attractive to current and potential investors. Key factors for companies include the location and a qualified and competitive workforce, which Lodz has much to offer – considering all career levels – both high and mid-level managers as well as students and graduates. This is influenced by many city-supported activities aimed at creating good living and development conditions – comments Mateusz Sipa, Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Cooperation, Lodz City Hall.
Who will have the best chance of finding employment in Lodz in 2024?
The year 2024 promises to be promising for professionals in Lodz, especially in newly developing sectors such as technology, innovation, and services. There is a significant increase in demand for workers with specialized skills such as customer service, logistics, data analysis, IT, and sales, as well as changes in employee preferences, such as remote work, shaping the city’s job market. Up to 56% of employers declare an increase in employment by at least 6%, which is the best ratio compared to other cities. Only 4% of companies anticipate a decrease in employment levels in the near future, highlighting the stability and growing demand for workers in the region.
The business potential of Lodz is confirmed by the numbers – with over 100 Shared Service Centers (SSCs) and new international investors joining every year, the city can boast an impressive pool of specialists. Currently, over 36,000 employees work in the SSC sector, indicating Lodz’s strong position as a business support center. In 2023, a company from the BPO sector began providing new jobs, standing out for its central location and modern office infrastructure. There is also an observed growth in employee interest, especially in customer service and administration areas, with foreign languages, indicating dynamic development and openness to international cooperation – comments Roman Zabłocki, Business Unit Director at Antal, Engineering & Operations.
Developer activity in the Lodz office market
The Lodz office market is dynamically developing, as confirmed by the latest data – the total volume of office space in Lodz has already exceeded 636,000 square meters, with almost 17,400 square meters currently under construction. This development is characterized by a high susceptibility to the introduction of larger individual projects to the market, which significantly influence the shaping of market data.
Lodz is actively attracting new investors, convincing them of its uniqueness and potential talent pool while ensuring high-quality living and working spaces. Among the most anticipated investments is the next stage of the Fusion project (Echo Investment). The completion is planned for the second half of 2024. This investment will provide a relatively large injection of modern office space, further increasing Lodz’s attractiveness for business. At the same time, this may translate into further, at least temporary, growth in unleased space – emphasizes Zuzanna Krech, Regional Director at Cushman & Wakefield.
Students are drawn to Lodz
Lodz offers a high quality of life with affordable housing prices (the average price per square meter in the primary market is 8,810 PLN) and a rich cultural offer. The city, with over 30 urban parks and the largest urban forest in Poland – Łagiewnicki Forest, is an example of a harmonious combination of urban space with nature. Additionally, Lodz stands out among other cities for its attractive rental prices for students, where the average rent for one room is 950 PLN, making it an attractive place for young people starting their professional careers.
Today, business development largely depends on access to talent. Lodz is one of the most important academic centers in Poland. The city hosts a total of 21 higher education institutions, 7 public and 14 private, as well as 30 research and development institutions. Nearly 72,000 students study at Lodz universities annually, including nearly 5,000 international students, and around 17,000 graduates receive diplomas. Additionally, the developed cultural and entertainment infrastructure, including Atlas Arena with concert offerings, and the recently opened Orientarium, contribute to the quality of life in the city – comments Krzysztof Witkowski, President of the Management Board of Virako, Investor in Monopolis.
About BEAS
The “Business Environment Assessment Study” survey was conducted using the CAWI method among 1,290 decision-makers of companies in Poland from July 31 to August 25, 2023. Reports developed as part of this and previous editions of the project are available on a new, interactive portal enabling comparison of key indicators for cities and downloading selected sets of data: www.investmentpotential.pl
About ANTAL
Antal is a leading company in the CEE region, providing solutions in permanent recruitment, HR consulting, and outsourcing. The basis of our success lies in the high quality of services offered and the people, whose capital is the knowledge accumulated over 26 years of the company’s operation. We create methods and tools that exceed customer expectations and market standards, while also being a leader in sustainable transformation in the industry. The scope of our support is very wide – from implementing comprehensive permanent recruitment processes, through outsourcing services, including RPO and contracting, to Employer Branding activities, HR Consulting, as well as providing comprehensive market research and analysis services. Visit our website: www.antal.pl
About CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global firm providing services to owners and tenants of commercial real estate. It employs approximately 52,000 people in around 400 offices and 60 countries worldwide. In 2022, its revenues amounted to USD 10.1 billion. The company’s key services include property, facility, and project management, brokerage services, capital markets transactions, and valuations. For its culture and actions supporting diversity, equal treatment, and inclusivity, as well as ESG and other initiatives, Cushman & Wakefield receives numerous awards and recognitions in industry and business competitions. Additional information can be found on the website: www.cushmanwakefield.com
Martyna Petrus
PR Specialist, Antal
