Chorzów used to be one of the most important cities in the largest Polish economic area (the Upper Silesian Industry Area) with extensive industry in coal mining, steel, chemistry, manufacturing, and energy sectors.
Many heavy-industry establishments were closed or scaled down in the last two decades because of environmental issues in the center of a highly urbanized area, and also because of decades-long lack of investment.
Others were restructured and modernized.
Wedged between a dozen of other cities, the population has been decreasing.
The city character has been evolving towards the service economy as new industrial development takes mostly place at the border of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union.
The Unemployment rate is high (12.6% on 2007-12-31) but decreasing; the workforce is generally highly technically skilled.

Major industrial establishments are:
Huta Batory – steel
Huta Kościuszko SA – steel
Chorzów Power Station
Zakłady Chemiczne Hajduki SA – carbochemistry
Zakłady Azotowe SA – nitrogen fixation and methanol
Alstom-Konstal – transport manufacturing and construction
KWK Polska Wirek, rejon Prezydent – coal mine
ProLogis – logistics
Messer – technical gases
Chorzów used to be one of the most important cities in the largest Polish economic area (the Upper Silesian Industry Area) with extensive industry in coal mining, steel, chemistry, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Many heavy-industry establishments were closed or scaled down in the last two decades because of environmental issues in the center of a highly urbanized area, and also because of decades-long lack of investment. Others were restructured and modernized. Wedged between a dozen of other cities, the population has been decreasing. The city character has been evolving towards the service economy as new industrial development takes mostly place at the border of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union. The Unemployment rate is high (12.6% on 2007-12-31) but decreasing; the workforce is generally highly technically skilled.
Major industrial establishments are:
Huta Batory – steel
Huta Kościuszko SA – steel
Chorzów Power Station
Zakłady Chemiczne Hajduki SA – carbochemistry
Zakłady Azotowe SA – nitrogen fixation and methanol
Alstom-Konstal – transport manufacturing and construction
KWK Polska Wirek, rejon Prezydent – coal mine
ProLogis – logistics
Messer – technical gases
Chorzów