2023-11-20-莱坊-Katowice_city_attractiveness_and_office_market_Q3_2023_5页_6mb

Strong Cities Report Summary: Katowice

City Attractiveness

• Katowice ranked 1st in Poland in Business Insider's city ranking and 2nd in the Schuman Foundation's "Europolis" ranking for the best city to live in, emphasizing quality of life and ecological aspects.
• Population: approximately 279,100 residents in the city area (164.7 sq km), with a Greater Katowice area population of 2.279 million.
• Investment and sustainability awards: Received a silver award for sustainable development (2023), 6th place in Poland's "Top 10 Large European Cities of the Future" ranking, and recognition as a "Special Economic Zone." Quality of life indicators highlight low unemployment rate (1.1%) and high per capita GDP growth.

Office Market

• Office stock at Q3 2023: Total stock of 748,500 sq m, with high vacancy rate (23.2%), up from previous quarters.
• New supply and demand: Over 47,200 sq m taken up in Q1-Q3 2023, but high new construction (e.g., Craft building) increased vacancy; asking rents range from EUR 8-14.5 sq m/month in city center to lower rates outside.
• Comparison: Ranked as the fourth largest regional office market in Poland, with vacancy rate among the highest among major cities like Kraków and Wrocław.

HR Perspective

• Labor market trends in IT contracting: High demand for experienced IT freelancers, driven by layoffs from the pandemic and recessive economic conditions, but demand remains strong in areas like finance and security.
• Work preferences: Emphasis on flexibility and work-life balance; top-desired IT roles include software tester, frontend developer, and DevOps, with pay rates ranging from PLN 105-155 PLN/h for junior to 185-250 PLN/h for senior positions.
• Future outlook: Economy expected to stabilize in 2024, with cautious business planning affecting IT project budgets.