| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 0.0 | 3.83 | 3.99 | 2.9 | 3.28 | 0.2 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 2.4 |
| CPI % | 117.49 | 27.27 | 2.69 | 3.05 | 1.67 | 11.4 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3 | 12.98 | 15.91 | 9.05 | 6.79 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 41.38 | 44.28 | 51.7 | 52.29 | 49.5 | 55.1 | 58.8 | 65.7 | 69.6 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | -1.48 | -3.45 | -4.46 | -4.55 | -1.77 | 1.5 | 0.3 | -0.7 | -1.1 | -0.9 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
Poland's history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. By the mid-16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in Central and Eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorder weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union Solidarity that over time became a political force with over 10 million members. Free elections in 1989 and 1990 won Solidarity control of the parliament and the presidency, bringing the communist era to a close. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.
Area: 312,685 sq km km2
Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land
Groups: Polish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7% (2011 est.)
Languages: Polish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 70.7%, refused to answer 20.9%, no religion 6.9%; less than 1 percent: Orthodox, Jehovah Witness, Evangelic of Augsburg, Greek Catholic, Pentecostal, other Protestant, not stated, old Catholic Mariavite Church, other Christians, Islam, Buddhist, Polish Catholic Church, other, Baptist Union of Poland, Pagan, Seventh Day Adventist, Hindu, other Catholic (2021 est.)
Capital: Warsaw
Government type: parliamentary republic
Chief of state: President Karol NAWROCKI (since 6 August 2025)
Head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 11 December 2023)
Description: - bicameral
high-income, diversified, EU-member economy; significant growth in GDP, trade, and investment since joining EU in 2004; private consumption and EU-funded public investments driving GDP growth; increased social spending, flooding recovery costs, and defense spending have added to public debt
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 2.6% (2024 est.), Industry: 26.4% (2024 est.), Services: 59.9% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 25%, UK 6%, Czechia 6%, France 6%, Italy 5% (2023)
Export commodities: vehicle parts/accessories, electric batteries, plastic products, cars, seats (2023)
Import partners: Germany 22%, China 12%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4%, USA 4% (2023)
Import commodities: crude petroleum, cars, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, plastic products (2023)
Central Europe, east of Germany
Military expenditure: 2025: 4.5% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.