Swedish companies in Poland – more than 100 years of investment in people and knowledge
Economic relations between Poland and Sweden are in a completely different place today than they were 20 years ago. The SPCC report, prepared in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden, presents the scale of Swedish companies’ activities in Poland and the changes that have taken place in trade relations since Poland’s accession to the EU.
The report is part of a comprehensive publication summarising the presence of Scandinavian companies in Poland, prepared on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the SPCC.
Swedish investment in Poland
Swedish investments in Poland on a larger scale appeared as early as the beginning of the 20th century. Today, over 700 companies with Swedish origin operate in Poland, with investments worth EUR 5.5 billion and employment reaching approximately 109,000 people. Swedish investors treat Poland loyally as a long-term place of engagement and systematically reinvest over 90% of their profits, significantly more than investors from other countries (for comparison, the average reinvestment rate for all investors is 58%). Discussions with representatives of Swedish companies show that the vast majority plan to continue to develop here and make capital investments over the next five years. This proves that Poland has been and continues to be treated by Swedish companies as a long-term commitment.
current value of Swedish investments in Poland, having increased by 40% over the past five years
Percentage of profits generated in Poland that Swedish investors reinvest
Total trade turnover between Poland and Sweden
Number of individuals employed by Swedish companies in Poland
Trade exchange
Since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, trade between Poland and Sweden surged nearly 400%, increasing from EUR 4.2 billion to EUR 20.6 billion by 2023. This increase encompasses both goods and services. Poland noted a substantial trade surplus with Sweden, which stood at EUR 2.6 billion in 2023. The trade benefits extend beyond direct exporters to encompass the entire supply chain, which generates 1% of GDP and supports around 150,000 jobs.
Transfer of knowledge and know-how benefiting both sides of the Baltic Sea
Swedish companies rank among the top foreign investors in terms of R&D spending, outperformed only by companies from Germany, France and the USA. In the broader Polish economy, 1,5% of the workforce is involved in research and development, compared to 4,5% in Swedish-owned companies. This results in a knowledge transfer to the Polish economy.
Swedish investors convey production know-how to the Polish market through various channels. These companies also pass on part of their know-how to suppliers and collaborators and work alongside them to enhance the quality of the products they deliver. The accumulation of human capital through training using Swedish methodologies and the advancement of Polish employees to international managerial roles is essential.
