Poland - PL - POL - POL - Europe

Last updated: July 16, 2025
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  • Memorial monument at the Plaszow forced labor and concentration camp south of Krakow, Poland. Most of the prisoners at the Nazi-run camp were Polish Jews. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are estimated to have been murdered at Plaszow during World War II.

    Memorial monument at the Plaszow forced labor and concentration camp south of Krakow, Poland. Most of the prisoners at the Nazi-run camp were Polish Jews. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are estimated to have been murdered at Plaszow during World War II.

  • Saint Anne's Church outside the Palace at Wilanow in Warsaw, Poland.

    Saint Anne's Church outside the Palace at Wilanow in Warsaw, Poland.

  • Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, was originally built around 1000 A.D., and the current structure was begun in the 14th century. Also known as the Royal Basilica, the cathedral served as a coronation site for the Polish kings and a royal burial ground. Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II, performed his first mass in this church.

    Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, was originally built around 1000 A.D., and the current structure was begun in the 14th century. Also known as the Royal Basilica, the cathedral served as a coronation site for the Polish kings and a royal burial ground. Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II, performed his first mass in this church.

  • The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the tallest building in Poland, is 231 m (757 ft) tall, including a 43 m spire. The Soviet Union built it between 1952 and 1955 as a gift to Poland, and it was considered a symbol of Soviet domination during the Cold War. The building currently serves as an exhibition center and office complex.

    The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the tallest building in Poland, is 231 m (757 ft) tall, including a 43 m spire. The Soviet Union built it between 1952 and 1955 as a gift to Poland, and it was considered a symbol of Soviet domination during the Cold War. The building currently serves as an exhibition center and office complex.

  • This bronze Frederic Chopin Monument was erected in 1926 in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw, Poland.

    This bronze Frederic Chopin Monument was erected in 1926 in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw, Poland.

  • Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.

    Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.

  • The barbican in Warsaw's Old Town.

    The barbican in Warsaw's Old Town.

  • The inner harbor of Gdansk, Poland, with a medieval port crane that was used to hoist cargo and fit masts. Built in 1367, the crane (called Krantor) was rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century.

    The inner harbor of Gdansk, Poland, with a medieval port crane that was used to hoist cargo and fit masts. Built in 1367, the crane (called Krantor) was rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century.

  • The Green Gate in Gdansk, Poland, was built between 1568 and 1571 at the end of the city's Long Market, and it served as the residence of visiting Polish monarchs.

    The Green Gate in Gdansk, Poland, was built between 1568 and 1571 at the end of the city's Long Market, and it served as the residence of visiting Polish monarchs.

  • Saint Mary's Church in Gdansk, Poland, as seen from Mariacka (Saint Mary's Gate). The church, built between 1343 and 1502, is the largest brick church in the world and can hold 25,000 people.

    Saint Mary's Church in Gdansk, Poland, as seen from Mariacka (Saint Mary's Gate). The church, built between 1343 and 1502, is the largest brick church in the world and can hold 25,000 people.

  • The Golden Gate in Gdansk, Poland, built between 1612 and 1614, leads to Long Street and Long Market on the Royal Road.

    The Golden Gate in Gdansk, Poland, built between 1612 and 1614, leads to Long Street and Long Market on the Royal Road.

  • The Town Hall in Gdansk, Poland, was first constructed in the 14th century, but the current structure dates to the late 16th century.

    The Town Hall in Gdansk, Poland, was first constructed in the 14th century, but the current structure dates to the late 16th century.

  • The Neptune Fountain in Gdansk, Poland, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was first erected as a statue in 1549 and then converted into a fountain in 1633.

    The Neptune Fountain in Gdansk, Poland, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was first erected as a statue in 1549 and then converted into a fountain in 1633.

  • An altar constructed of salt in the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland. The mine was continuously in use from the 13th century until 2007. Today it is a popular tourist site.

    An altar constructed of salt in the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland. The mine was continuously in use from the 13th century until 2007. Today it is a popular tourist site.

  • Entrance to the Auschwitz I concentration camp in Poland. The slogan over the gate translates as "Work makes you free." At the end of World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at this and surrounding camps.

    Entrance to the Auschwitz I concentration camp in Poland. The slogan over the gate translates as "Work makes you free." At the end of World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at this and surrounding camps.

  • The entrance building to the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland. Nazi Germany built it during World War II, and over 1 million people died at this camp and satellite camps.

    The entrance building to the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland. Nazi Germany built it during World War II, and over 1 million people died at this camp and satellite camps.

  • Barracks at the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp. After World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at the camp.

    Barracks at the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp. After World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at the camp.

  • The interior courtyard of Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland.

    The interior courtyard of Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland.

  • The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Stanislaw and Vaclav, also known as the Wawel Cathedral, in Krakow, Poland.

    The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Stanislaw and Vaclav, also known as the Wawel Cathedral, in Krakow, Poland.

  • Memorial monument at the Plaszow forced labor and concentration camp south of Krakow, Poland. Most of the prisoners at the Nazi-run camp were Polish Jews. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are estimated to have been murdered at Plaszow during World War II.

    Memorial monument at the Plaszow forced labor and concentration camp south of Krakow, Poland. Most of the prisoners at the Nazi-run camp were Polish Jews. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are estimated to have been murdered at Plaszow during World War II.

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  • The Palac na Wodzie (Palace on the Water) located in the Park Lazienkowsi (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw, Poland. Built in the 17th century, the structure was remodeled in the 18th century and became a royal residence. The palace stands on an artificial island in Lazienki Lake.
  • Saint Anne's Church outside the Palace at Wilanow in Warsaw, Poland.
  • Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, was originally built around 1000 A.D., and the current structure was begun in the 14th century. Also known as the Royal Basilica, the cathedral served as a coronation site for the Polish kings and a royal burial ground. Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II, performed his first mass in this church.
  • The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the tallest building in Poland, is 231 m (757 ft) tall, including a 43 m spire. The Soviet Union built it between 1952 and 1955 as a gift to Poland, and it was considered a symbol of Soviet domination during the Cold War. The building currently serves as an exhibition center and office complex.
  • This bronze Frederic Chopin Monument was erected in 1926 in the Park Lazienkowski (Royal Baths Park) in Warsaw, Poland.
  • Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.
  • The barbican in Warsaw's Old Town.
  • The inner harbor of Gdansk, Poland, with a medieval port crane that was used to hoist cargo and fit masts. Built in 1367, the crane (called Krantor) was rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century.
  • The Green Gate in Gdansk, Poland, was built between 1568 and 1571 at the end of the city's Long Market, and it served as the residence of visiting Polish monarchs.
  • Saint Mary's Church in Gdansk, Poland, as seen from Mariacka (Saint Mary's Gate). The church, built between 1343 and 1502, is the largest brick church in the world and can hold 25,000 people.
  • The Golden Gate in Gdansk, Poland, built between 1612 and 1614, leads to Long Street and Long Market on the Royal Road.
  • The Town Hall in Gdansk, Poland, was first constructed in the 14th century, but the current structure dates to the late 16th century.
  • The Neptune Fountain in Gdansk, Poland, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was first erected as a statue in 1549 and then converted into a fountain in 1633.
  • An altar constructed of salt in the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland. The mine was continuously in use from the 13th century until 2007. Today it is a popular tourist site.
  • Entrance to the Auschwitz I concentration camp in Poland. The slogan over the gate translates as "Work makes you free." At the end of World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at this and surrounding camps.
  • The entrance building to the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland. Nazi Germany built it during World War II, and over 1 million people died at this camp and satellite camps.
  • Barracks at the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp. After World War II, the Polish Government established a memorial museum to honor the more than 1 million victims who died at the camp.
  • The interior courtyard of Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland.
  • The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Stanislaw and Vaclav, also known as the Wawel Cathedral, in Krakow, Poland.
  • Memorial monument at the Plaszow forced labor and concentration camp south of Krakow, Poland. Most of the prisoners at the Nazi-run camp were Polish Jews. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are estimated to have been murdered at Plaszow during World War II.

Poland Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Daniel LAWTON (since 20 January 2025)

embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, 00-540 Warsaw

mailing address: 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010

telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000

FAX: [48] (22) 504-2088

email address and website:
acswarsaw@state.gov

https://pl.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Krakow

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.2% (male 2,830,048/female 2,676,300)

15-64 years: 65.9% (male 12,513,402/female 13,036,977)

65 years and over: 19.8% (2024 est.) (male 3,097,965/female 4,591,618)
2024 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Poland. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

flooding

Area - comparative

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

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

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription; professional soldiers serve on a permanent basis (for an unspecified period of time) or on a contract basis (for a specified period of time); initial contract period is 24 months (2025)

note 1: as of 2024, women made up about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel

note 2: in 2022, Poland announced a new 12-month voluntary military service program with recruits going through a one-month basic training period with a military unit, followed by 11 months of specialized training; upon completion of service, the volunteers would be allowed to join the Territorial Defense Forces or the active reserve, and have priority to join the professional army and be given preference for employment in the public sector; the program is part of an effort to increase the size of the Polish military

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 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.

Environment - current issues

air pollution (despite environmental policy improvements) because of coal-burning in homes and power plants; acid rain leading to forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources; disposal of hazardous wastes

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic- Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Military expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2022)
2.2% of GDP (2021)
2.2% of GDP (2020)

Population below poverty line

11.8% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.4% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 22.8% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

vehicle parts/accessories, electric batteries, plastic products, cars, seats (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Germany 25%, UK 6%, Czechia 6%, France 6%, Italy 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

16 provinces or voivodships (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)

Agricultural products

sugar beets, milk, wheat, maize, potatoes, triticale, apples, rapeseed, barley, rye (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Polish Armed Forces (Polskie Siły Zbrojne): Land Forces (Wojska Ladowe), Navy (Marynarka Wojenna), Air Force (Sily Powietrzne), Special Forces (Wojska Specjalne), Territorial Defense Forces (Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej), Cyberspace Defense Forces (Wojska Obrony Cyberprzestrzeni)

Ministry of Interior and Administration: Polish National Police (Policja); Border Guard (Straż Graniczna or SG) (2025)

Budget

revenues: $234.98 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $250.097 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Warsaw

geographic coordinates: 52 15 N, 21 00 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the origin of the name is unknown; Warszawa was the name of a fishing village, and several legends link the city's founding to a man named Wars or Warsz

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, cars, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, plastic products (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

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

Coastline

440 km

Constitution

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

amendment process: 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

Exchange rates

zlotych (PLN) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
3.981 (2024 est.)
4.204 (2023 est.)
4.458 (2022 est.)
3.862 (2021 est.)
3.9 (2020 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andrzej DUDA (since 6 August 2015)

head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 11 December 2023)

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

election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm; all presidential candidates resign their party affiliation

most recent election date: 18 May 2025, with the second round on 1 June 2025

election results:
2025: Karol NAWROCKI elected president in second round; percent of vote - Karol NAWROCKI (PiS) 50.9%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49.1%; NAWROCKI takes office 6 August 2025

2025: First round Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 31.4%, Karol NAWROCKI 29.5% (PiS), Slawomir MENTZEN 14.8%, Grzegorz BRAUN 6.3%, and Szymon HOLOWNIA 5.0%; second round to be held on 1 June 2025; 

2020: Andrzej DUDA reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49%

2015: Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5%

 

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; colors derive from the Polish emblem, a white eagle on a red field

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

Illicit drugs

USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025)

Independence

11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 14 April 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)

Industries

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Sad Najwyzszy (consists of the first president of the Supreme Court and 120 justices organized in criminal, civil, labor and social insurance, and extraordinary appeals and public affairs and disciplinary chambers); Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 15 judges, including the court president and vice president)

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 Judicial Council and appointed by the president of Poland; judges serve until retirement, usually at age 65, but tenure can be extended; Constitutional Tribunal judges chosen by the Sejm for single 9-year terms

subordinate courts: administrative courts; military courts; local, regional and appellate courts subdivided into military, civil, criminal, labor, and family courts

Land boundaries

total: 2,865 km

border countries (6): Belarus 375 km; Czechia 699 km; Germany 467 km; Lithuania 100 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 209 km; Slovakia 517 km; Ukraine 498 km

Land use

agricultural land: 46.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 36.5% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 1.2% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.6% (2022 est.)

forest: 31.1% (2022 est.)

other: 22.6% (2022 est.)

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

legislative structure: bicameral

note: the designation "National Assembly" (or Zgromadzenie Narodowe) is only used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly

Literacy

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2021)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties

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, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National holiday

Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Nationality

noun: Pole(s)

adjective: Polish

Natural resources

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

Geography - note

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

Economic overview

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

Political parties

AGROunion or AU
Center for Poland or CdP
Civic Platform or PO
Confederation of the Polish Crown or KKP
Kukiz' 15 or K'15
Labor Union or UP
Law and Justice or PiS
Left Together or LR
Modern or .N
National Movement or NN
New Hope or RN
New Left or NL
Poland 2050 or PL2050
Polish Initiative or iPL
Polish People's Party or PSL
Polish Socialist Party or PPS
Renewal of the Republic of Poland or ON RP
Sovereign Poland or SP
The Greens or Zieloni
Union of European Democrats or UED
Yes! For Poland or T!DPL

Railways

total: 19,461 km (2020) 11,946 km electrified

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Terrain

mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border

Government type

parliamentary republic

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Poland

conventional short form: Poland

local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form: Polska

former: Polish People's Republic

etymology: the name probably comes from the Slavic word pole (field or plain), indicating the flat nature of the country

Location

Central Europe, east of Germany

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

1,327 sq km (2016)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Bogdan Adam KLICH (since 21 November 2024)

chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 499-1700

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2152

email address and website:
washington.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl

https://www.gov.pl/web/usa-en/embassy-washington

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Internet users

percent of population: 86% (2023 est.)

Internet country code

.pl

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 956,635 (Ukraine) (as of 15 December 2023)

stateless persons: 1,435 (2022)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$809.201 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Total renewable water resources

60.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 17 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 60.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: -0.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run public TV operates 2 national channels supplemented by 16 regional and several niche channels; privately owned entities operate several national TV networks and some special interest channels; many privately owned local channels; roughly half of all households are linked to satellite or cable TV systems with access to foreign TV; state-run public radio operates 5 national networks and 17 regional stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks, several commercial stations, and many privately owned local radio stations (2019)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)

lyrics/music: Jozef WYBICKI/traditional

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
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Poland. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

1.798 million WARSAW (capital), 769,000 Krakow (2023)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

4.03 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

6.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

National symbol(s)

white crowned eagle

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.9 years (2020 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

62.3% (2014)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 57.7% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 19% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 17.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.2% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 58.1% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -52.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 51.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 21.6 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 30.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 3.3 (2024 est.)

Citizenship

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

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

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

SP

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

note: represents ethnicity declared first

Religions

Catholic 84.6% (Roman Catholic 84.6% and other Catholic 0.3%), Orthodox 1.3% (almost all are Polish Autocephalous Orthodox), Protestant 0.4% (mainly Augsburg Evangelical and Pentecostal), other 0.3%, unspecified 13% (2022 est.)

Languages

Polish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Księga Faktów Świata, niezbędne źródło podstawowych informacji. (Polish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note 1: shares of languages sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; data represent language spoken at home

note 2: Poland also recognizes 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
Polish audio sample

Imports - partners

Germany 22%, China 12%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4%, USA 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

mean elevation: 173 m

Health expenditure

6.7% of GDP (2022)

10.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Military - note

Poland’s geographic location on NATO’s eastern flank and its history of foreign invasion underpin the Polish military’s heavy focus on territorial and border defense and supporting its NATO and EU security commitments; its chief concern is Russian aggression against neighboring Ukraine since 2014, which has led to efforts to boost border defenses and military capabilities and to increase the NATO and US military presence in Poland

since 2014, Poland has been hosting several NATO military formations designed to enhance the defense of Poland and NATO’s eastern flank, including a US-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative, NATO fighter detachments at Malbork Air Base, a NATO-led divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Northeast), which coordinates training and preparation activities of its respective subordinate battlegroups in Poland and Lithuania, and a corps-level NATO field headquarters (Multinational Corps Northeast); since 2022, the US has established a permanent corps headquarters in Poland to command US rotational forces in Europe; Poland also participates in a variety of EU and NATO military deployments in Africa, the Baltic States, Southern Europe, and the Middle East; Poland provided considerable support to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, where more than 30,000 military personnel served over a 20-year period before the mission ended in 2021 (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 210,000 including air, ground, naval, special forces, and Territorial Defense Forces (2024)

note: a new national defense law in 2022 set a goal to double the size of Poland’s armed forces to 300,000 personnel, including 250,000 professional soldiers and 50,000 territorials

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory consists of a mix of some Soviet-era and a growing amount of more modern, NATO-compatible weapons systems; in recent years, the leading suppliers of armaments have included several European countries, South Korea, and the US; Poland has a domestic defense sector that produces or provides upgrades to a wide variety of weapons systems, particularly ground systems such as tanks and other armored vehicles; it also cooperates with the European and US defense sectors (2024)

note: in late 2018, Poland announced a 7-year (through 2026) approximately $50 billion defense modernization plan that would include such items as 5th generation combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, rocket artillery, helicopters, submarines, frigates, and improved cyber security; in 2022-2023, it signed large military weapons contracts with South Korea, the UK, and the US

Military deployments

210 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); up to 180 Latvia (NATO); 190 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 230 Romania (NATO) (2024)

note 1: Poland has obligated about 2,500 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units; units affiliated with the multinational brigade remain within the structures of the armed forces of their respective countries until the brigade is activated for participation in an international operation

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 1.96 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 5.87 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 1.39 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 10.863 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,866,746 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.4% (2015 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 18.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 6.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 18.83 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 299.04 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 46.62 megatons (2020 est.)

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s): Zalew Szczecinski/Stettiner Haff (shared with Germany) - 900 sq km

Major rivers (by length in km)

Wisla (Vistula) river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km

note: longest river in Poland

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 17 (15 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Krakow (c); Historic Warsaw (c); Medieval Torun (c); Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region (c); Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (c); Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines (c); Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (n); Białowieza Forest (n); Old City of Zamość (c)

Coal

production: 96.72 million metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption: 99.932 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 10.805 million metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 10.041 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 27.758 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 72.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 14.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 4.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Natural gas

production: 5.345 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 20.602 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 747.124 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 15.111 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 91.492 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 24,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 743,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 113 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.64 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

56.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

1.06% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.09% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.15% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Space program overview

space program is integrated within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA); builds satellites, including nano/cube remote sensing (RS) and educational/scientific/technology satellites; researches and develops communications, RS, navigational, and other scientific applications for satellite payloads; creating infrastructure for receiving, storing, processing and distributing data from meteorological and environmental satellites; researches and develops other space-related technologies, including sensors and robotic probes for interplanetary landers, and launcher systems; participates in international space programs and cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, Canada, China, ESA/EU member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, UK, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector with more than 300 active enterprises (2024)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Space agency/agencies

Polish Space Agency (POLSA; established 2014; operational in 2015); Space Research Center (SRC, interdisciplinary research institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences that acted as Poland’s space agency until POLSA was established in 1977) (2024)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 3 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: Land of Extinct Volcanoes; Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa (includes Germany); Holy Cross Mountains (2024)

Ports

total ports: 10 (2024)

large: 2

medium: 2

small: 4

very small: 2

ports with oil terminals: 5

key ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Port Polnochny, Szczecin

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name: Sejm

number of seats: 460 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 10/15/2023

parties elected and seats per party: Law and Justice (PiS) (194); Civic Coalition (KO) (157); The Third Way (65); The New Left (Nowa Lewica) (26); Other (18)

percentage of women in chamber: 31.3%

expected date of next election: October 2027

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name: Senate (Senat)

number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 10/15/2023

parties elected and seats per party: Civic Coalition (KO) (41); Law and Justice (PiS) (34); The Third Way (11); The New Left (Nowa Lewica) (9); Independents (5)

percentage of women in chamber: 19%

expected date of next election: October 2027

National color(s)

white, red

Labor force

18.145 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 9.9% (2024 est.)

male: 10.1% (2024 est.)

female: 9.6% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

-6.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 42.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 41.5 years

female: 44.3 years

Maternal mortality ratio

2 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$185.515 billion (2024 est.)
$193.783 billion (2023 est.)
$166.664 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

50.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental 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

Total fertility rate

1.32 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.5% (2024 est.)
2.7% (2023 est.)
2.8% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 38,746,310 (2024 est.)

male: 18,441,415

female: 20,304,895

Carbon dioxide emissions

264.031 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 132.101 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 95.095 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 36.835 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Area

total : 312,685 sq km

land: 304,255 sq km

water: 8,430 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

18.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.628 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.626 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.545 trillion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

318 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 52.4 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

28.5 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.8% (2024 est.)
11.5% (2023 est.)
14.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

$14.535 billion (2023 est.)
-$15.822 billion (2022 est.)
-$8.97 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$44,400 (2023 est.)
$44,200 (2022 est.)
$41,800 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 10.1 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 21.6% (2025 est.)

male: 25.6% (2025 est.)

female: 17.8% (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.1% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

103.651 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Death rate

12.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

8.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 64.806 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 159.639 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 11.403 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 15.14 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 8.549 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 152 (2023)

by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 6, other 140

Imports

$423.797 billion (2023 est.)
$421.765 billion (2022 est.)
$370.252 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$471.571 billion (2023 est.)
$436.388 billion (2022 est.)
$392.702 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Heliports

16 (2025)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 4.987 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 10.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 5.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 4.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 72.8 years

female: 80.9 years

Real GDP growth rate

0.14% (2023 est.)
5.26% (2022 est.)
6.93% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

-0.57% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.7% (2023 est.)

industry: 30.1% (2023 est.)

services: 57.5% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Education expenditure

4.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

10.5% national budget (2022 est.)

Population growth rate

-1% (2024 est.)
Sources: