2017 Edition

Background

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 disorders 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, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. 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. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed and with large investments in defense, energy, and other infrastructure, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Area

312,685 sq km 304,255 sq km 8,430 sq km

land

304,255 sq km

total

312,685 sq km

water

8,430 sq km

Area - comparative

about twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than New Mexico

Climate

temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers

Coastline

440 km

Elevation

173 m lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

highest point

Rysy 2,499 m

mean elevation

173 m

Environment - current issues

decreased emphasis on heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-communist governments has improved environment; air pollution remains serious because of emissions from coal-fired power plants and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

party to

Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geographic coordinates

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography - note

historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

Irrigated land

970 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

3,071 km Belarus 418 km, Czech Republic 796 km, Germany 467 km, Lithuania 104 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia 541 km, Ukraine 535 km

border countries (7)

Belarus 418 km, Czech Republic 796 km, Germany 467 km, Lithuania 104 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia 541 km, Ukraine 535 km

total

3,071 km

Land use

48.2% arable land 36.2%; permanent crops 1.3%; permanent pasture 10.7% 30.6% 21.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

48.2%

forest

30.6%

other

21.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Europe, east of Germany

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm defined by international treaties

exclusive economic zone

defined by international treaties

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding

Natural resources

coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land

Population - distribution

population concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk

Terrain

mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border

Age structure

14.76% (male 2,919,353/female 2,757,923) 10.7% (male 2,113,358/female 2,003,033) 43.48% (male 8,447,418/female 8,283,757) 14.21% (male 2,586,097/female 2,880,031) 16.86% (male 2,560,847/female 3,924,452) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

14.76% (male 2,919,353/female 2,757,923)

15-24 years

10.7% (male 2,113,358/female 2,003,033)

25-54 years

43.48% (male 8,447,418/female 8,283,757)

55-64 years

14.21% (male 2,586,097/female 2,880,031)

65 years and over

16.86% (male 2,560,847/female 3,924,452) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

9.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

43.9 21.4 22.5 4.5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

22.5

potential support ratio

4.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.9

youth dependency ratio

21.4

Drinking water source

urban: 99.3% of population rural: 96.9% of population total: 98.3% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural

3.1% of population

total

1.7% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.7% of population

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Polish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7% represents ethnicity declared first (2011 est.)

note

represents ethnicity declared first (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Polish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.3% data represents the language spoken at home; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Poland ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2009 recognizing Kashub as a regional language, Czech, Hebrew, Yiddish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, and Ukrainian as national minority languages, and Karaim, Lemko, Romani (Polska Roma and Bergitka Roma), and Tatar as ethnic minority languages (2011 est.)

note

data represents the language spoken at home; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Poland ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2009 recognizing Kashub as a regional language, Czech, Hebrew, Yiddish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, and Ukrainian as national minority languages, and Karaim, Lemko, Romani (Polska Roma and Bergitka Roma), and Tatar as ethnic minority languages (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

77.8 years 73.9 years 81.8 years (2017 est.)

female

81.8 years (2017 est.)

male

73.9 years

total population

77.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.9% 99.7% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.7% (2015 est.)

male

99.9%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate tickborne encephalitis (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne disease

tickborne encephalitis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

WARSAW (capital) 1.722 million; Krakow 760,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

40.7 years 39 years 42.4 years (2017 est.)

female

42.4 years (2017 est.)

male

39 years

total

40.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.4 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Pole(s) Polish

adjective

Polish

noun

Pole(s)

Net migration rate

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.1% (2016)

Physicians density

2.27 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

38,476,269 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk

Population growth rate

-0.13% (2017 est.)

Religions

Catholic 87.2% (includes Roman Catholic 86.9% and Greek Catholic, Armenian Catholic, and Byzantine-Slavic Catholic .3%), Orthodox 1.3% (almost all are Polish Autocephalous Orthodox), Protestant 0.4% (mainly Augsburg Evangelical and Pentacostal), other 0.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist, Hare Krishna, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon), unspecified 10.8% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 96.7% of population total: 97.2% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 3.3% of population total: 2.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

3.3% of population

total

2.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 17 years (2013)

female

17 years (2013)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.35 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20.8% 20.7% 20.9% (2015 est.)

female

20.9% (2015 est.)

male

20.7%

total

20.8%

Urbanization

60.5% of total population (2017) 0.02% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.02% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

60.5% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesia), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavia-Pomerania), Lodzkie (Lodz), Lubelskie (Lublin), Lubuskie (Lubusz), Malopolskie (Lesser Poland), Mazowieckie (Masovia), Opolskie (Opole), Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia), Podlaskie, Pomorskie (Pomerania), Slaskie (Silesia), Swietokrzyskie (Holy Cross), Warminsko-Mazurskie (Warmia-Masuria), Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland), Zachodniopomorskie (West Pomerania)

Capital

Warsaw 52 15 N, 21 00 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

52 15 N, 21 00 E

name

Warsaw

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no both parents must be citizens of Poland no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

both parents must be citizens of Poland

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1997, approved by referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997 proposed by at least one-fifth of Sejm deputies, by the Senate, or by the president of the republic; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in the Sejm and absolute majority vote in the Senate; amendments to articles relating to sovereignty, personal freedoms, and constitutional amendment procedures also require passage by majority vote in a referendum; amended 2006, 2009, 2015 (2016)

amendments

proposed by at least one-fifth of Sejm deputies, by the Senate, or by the president of the republic; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in the Sejm and absolute majority vote in the Senate; amendments to articles relating to sovereignty, personal freedoms, and constitutional amendment procedures also require passage by majority vote in a referendum; amended 2006, 2009, 2015 (2016)

history

several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1997, approved by referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997

Country name

Republic of Poland Poland Rzeczpospolita Polska Polska name derives from the Polanians, a west Slavic tribe that united several surrounding Slavic groups (9th-10th centuries A.D.) and who passed on their name to the country; the name of the tribe likely comes from the Slavic "pole" (field or plain), indicating the flat nature of their country

conventional long form

Republic of Poland

conventional short form

Poland

etymology

name derives from the Polanians, a west Slavic tribe that united several surrounding Slavic groups (9th-10th centuries A.D.) and who passed on their name to the country; the name of the tribe likely comes from the Slavic "pole" (field or plain), indicating the flat nature of their country

local long form

Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form

Polska

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Paul Wayne JONES (since 7 October 2015) Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) [48] (22) 504-2000 [48] (22) 504-2688 Krakow

chief of mission

Ambassador Paul Wayne JONES (since 7 October 2015)

consulate(s) general

Krakow

embassy

Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw

FAX

[48] (22) 504-2688

mailing address

American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)

telephone

[48] (22) 504-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Piotr Antoni WILCZEK (since 18 January 2017) 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 499-1700 [1] (202) 328-6271 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Piotr Antoni WILCZEK (since 18 January 2017)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 328-6271

telephone

[1] (202) 499-1700

Executive branch

President Andrzej DUDA (since 6 August 2015) Prime Minister Mateusz MORAWIECKI (since 11 December 2017); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr GLINSKI (since 16 November 2015), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Higher Education Jaroslaw GOWIN (since 16 November 2015), Beata SZYDLO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Policy (since 11 December 2017) Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and approved by the Sejm president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 and 24 May 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote in runoff - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and approved by the Sejm

chief of state

President Andrzej DUDA (since 6 August 2015)

election results

Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote in runoff - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 and 24 May 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm

head of government

Prime Minister Mateusz MORAWIECKI (since 11 December 2017); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr GLINSKI (since 16 November 2015), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Higher Education Jaroslaw GOWIN (since 16 November 2015), Beata SZYDLO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Policy (since 11 December 2017)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; colors derive from the Polish emblem - a white eagle on a red field similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

note

similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)

11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates

966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Sad Najwyzszy (consists of the president of the Supreme Court and 116 judges organized in criminal, civil, labor and social insurance, and military chambers) president of the Supreme Court nominated by the General Assembly of the Supreme Court and selected by the president of Poland; other judges nominated by the 25-member National Judiciary Council, and appointed by the president of Poland; judges appointed until retirement, usually at age 65, but tenure can be extended Constitutional Tribunal; State Tribunal; administrative courts; regional and appellate courts subdivided into military, civil, criminal, labor, and family courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Sad Najwyzszy (consists of the president of the Supreme Court and 116 judges organized in criminal, civil, labor and social insurance, and military chambers)

judge selection and term of office

president of the Supreme Court nominated by the General Assembly of the Supreme Court and selected by the president of Poland; other judges nominated by the 25-member National Judiciary Council, and appointed by the president of Poland; judges appointed until retirement, usually at age 65, but tenure can be extended

subordinate courts

Constitutional Tribunal; State Tribunal; administrative courts; regional and appellate courts subdivided into military, civil, criminal, labor, and family courts

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative, administrative, and other governmental acts; constitutional law rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the Sejm (460 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the designation National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the 2 houses meet jointly the German minority is exempt from the 5% threshold requirement for seats to the Sejm Senate - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019); Sejm - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PiS 61, PO 34, PSL 1, independent 4; Sejm - percent of vote by party - PiS 37.6%, PO 24.1%, K15 8.8%, N 7.6%, PSL 5.1% other 16.8%; seats by party - PiS 235, PO 138, K15 42, N 28, PSL 16, German minority 1

description

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the Sejm (460 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the designation National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the 2 houses meet jointly

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PiS 61, PO 34, PSL 1, independent 4; Sejm - percent of vote by party - PiS 37.6%, PO 24.1%, K15 8.8%, N 7.6%, PSL 5.1% other 16.8%; seats by party - PiS 235, PO 138, K15 42, N 28, PSL 16, German minority 1

elections

Senate - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019); Sejm - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019)

note

the German minority is exempt from the 5% threshold requirement for seats to the Sejm

National anthem

"Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka) Jozef WYBICKI/traditional adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied

lyrics/music

Jozef WYBICKI/traditional

name

"Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)

note

adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied

National holiday

Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

National symbol(s)

white eagle; national colors: white, red

white eagle; national colors

white, red

Political parties and leaders

Civic Platform or PO [Grzegorz SCHETYNA] Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Wlodzimierz CZARZASTY] German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Ryszard GALLA] Kukiz 15 or K15 [Pawel KUKIZ] Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI] Liberty (formerly the Coalition for the Renewal of the Republic-Liberty and Hope or KORWiN) [Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE] Nowoczesna ("Modern") or N [Katarzyna LUBNAUER] Polish People's Party or PSL [Wladyslaw KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ] Razem (Together) [collective leadership]

Political pressure groups and leaders

All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ [Jan GUZ] (trade union) Independent Self-Governing Trade Union or Solidarity [Piotr DUDA] Roman Catholic Church [Archbishop Wojciech POLAK, Archbishop Stanislaw GADECKI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy

Budget

$79.75 billion $91.45 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$91.45 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$79.75 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2016) 2% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.74% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.92% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-959 million (2016 est.) $-2.949 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$347.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $330.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.8 (2015) 33.7 (2008)

Economy - overview

Poland has the sixth-largest economy in the EU and has long had a reputation as a business-friendly country with largely sound macroeconomic policies. Since 1990, Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization. During the 2008-09 economic slowdown Poland was the only EU country to avoid a recession, in part because of the government’s loose fiscal policy combined with a commitment to rein in spending in the medium-term. However, since 2015 Warsaw’s prioritization of spending on social welfare programs has prompted investors to decrease Poland’s economic growth projections for the next few years. The Polish economy performed well during the 2014-16 period, with the real GDP growth rate exceeding 3%, in part because of the government’s fiscal prudence. Poland’s economic growth in 2017 is projected by some credit rating agencies to slow, however, because of Poland’s government’s increase in social spending since 2015, including the provision of cash transfers for low income families, families with more than one child, and the reduction of the retirement age which will take effect in October 2017. The government has tried to introduce new taxes and boost tax compliance to offset the costs of the social spending programs and relieve upward pressure on the budget deficit. Some credit ratings agencies estimate that Poland will exceed the EU’s 3%-of-GDP limit on budget deficits, possibly impacting its access to future EU funds. Poland faces several systemic challenges, which include addressing some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure, business environment, rigid labor code, commercial court system, government red tape, and burdensome tax system, especially for entrepreneurs. Additional long-term challenges include diversifying Poland’s energy mix, strengthening investments in innovation, research, and development, as well as stemming the outflow of educated young Poles to other EU member states, especially in light of a coming demographic contraction due to emigration, persistently low fertility rates, and the aging of the Solidarity-era baby boom generation.

Exchange rates

zlotych (PLN) per US dollar - 3.9459 (2016 est.) 3.9459 (2015 est.) 3.7721 (2014 est.) 3.1538 (2013 est.) 3.26 (2012 est.)

Exports

$195.7 billion (2016 est.) $191.1 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% (2012 est.)

Exports - partners

Germany 27.3%, UK 6.6%, Czech Republic 6.6%, France 5.4%, Italy 4.8%, Netherlands 4.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

58.6% 17.9% 18.1% 1.5% 52.3% -48.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

52.3%

government consumption

17.9%

household consumption

58.6%

imports of goods and services

-48.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.1%

investment in inventories

1.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.4% 40.2% 64.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.4%

industry

40.2%

services

64.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,700 (2016 est.) $27,000 (2015 est.) $25,900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) 3.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$469.3 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.051 trillion (2016 est.) $1.011 trillion (2015 est.) $963.1 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

19.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 19.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 18.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3% 23.9% (2015 est.)

highest 10%

23.9% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%

3%

Imports

$193.6 billion (2016 est.) $188.6 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9% (2011 est.)

Imports - partners

Germany 28.3%, China 7.9%, Netherlands 6%, Russia 5.8%, Italy 5.3%, France 4.2%, Czech Republic 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.4% (2016 est.)

Industries

machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.6% (2016 est.) -0.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

17.64 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

11.5% 30.4% 57.6% (2015)

agriculture

11.5%

industry

30.4%

services

57.6% (2015)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$261.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $277.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $351.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

17.6% (2015 est.)

Public debt

48.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 44.7% of GDP (2015 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, the data include subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

note

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, the data include subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$114.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $94.91 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$300.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $293.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$64.52 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $61.39 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$224.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $223 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$336.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $337.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$195.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $177.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2016 est.) 10.5% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

296 million Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

4,520 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

490,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

20,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

137.8 million bbl (1 January 2017)

Electricity - consumption

141.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

12.02 billion kWh (2016)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

77.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

18.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

14.02 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

37.32 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

152.1 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

26.78 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

56 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

12.12 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

6.132 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

81.66 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

578,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

135,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

173,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

557,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run public TV operates 2 national channels supplemented by 16 regional channels and several niche channels; privately owned entities operate several national TV networks and a number of special interest channels; many privately owned channels broadcasting locally; roughly half of all households are linked to either satellite or cable TV systems providing access to foreign television networks; state-run public radio operates 5 national networks and 17 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks, several commercial stations broadcasting to multiple cities, and many privately owned local radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.pl

Internet users

28,237,820 73.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

73.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

28,237,820

Telephone system

modernization of the telecommunications network has accelerated with market-based competition; fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the growth in mobile-cellular services several nation-wide networks provide mobile-cellular service; coverage is generally good; fixed-line service lags in rural areas country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2015)

domestic

several nation-wide networks provide mobile-cellular service; coverage is generally good; fixed-line service lags in rural areas

general assessment

modernization of the telecommunications network has accelerated with market-based competition; fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the growth in mobile-cellular services

international

country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

9.345 million 24 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

24 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

9.345 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

55,878,845 145 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

145 (July 2016 est.)

total

55,878,845

Airports

126 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

36

2,438 to 3,047 m

30

914 to 1,523 m

10

over 3,047 m

5

total

87

under 914 m

6 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

21 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

17

total

39

under 914 m

21 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

SP (2016)

Heliports

6 (2013)

Merchant marine

container ship 1, general cargo 13, oil tanker 7, other 131 (2017)

by type

container ship 1, general cargo 13, oil tanker 7, other 131 (2017)

total

152

National air transport system

4,841,128 120,016,466 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

120,016,466 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,841,128

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

92

number of registered air carriers

6

Pipelines

gas 14,198 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products 777 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie Szczecin (River Oder) Swinoujscie

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Swinoujscie

major seaport(s)

Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie

river port(s)

Szczecin (River Oder)

Railways

19,231 km 395 km 1.524-m gauge 18,836 km 1.435-m gauge (11,865 km electrified) (2015)

broad gauge

395 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge

18,836 km 1.435-m gauge (11,865 km electrified) (2015)

total

19,231 km

Roadways

417,026 km 287,650 km (includes 1,492 km of expressways) 129,376 km (2014)

paved

287,650 km (includes 1,492 km of expressways)

total

417,026 km

unpaved

129,376 km (2014)

Waterways

3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2009)

Military branches

Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Special Forces, Territorial Defense Force (2017) Territorial Defense Force only began recruitment in winter 2016

note

Territorial Defense Force only began recruitment in winter 2016

Polish Armed Forces

Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Special Forces, Territorial Defense Force (2017)

Military expenditures

1.99% of GDP (2016) 2.14% of GDP (2015) 1.9% of GDP (2014) 1.77% of GDP (2013) 1.8% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription phased out in 2009-12; service obligation shortened from 12 to 9 months in 2005; women only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers (2013)

Disputes - international

as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Poland has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to restrict illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine

Illicit drugs

despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe

Refugees and internally displaced persons

71,302 applicants for forms of legal stay other than asylum (Ukraine) (2015); 9,864 (Russia) (2016) 10,825 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

71,302 applicants for forms of legal stay other than asylum (Ukraine) (2015); 9,864 (Russia) (2016)

stateless persons

10,825 (2016)