Page last updated on January 31, 2014
Poland's history as a state begins 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 ten 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 European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.
Central Europe, east of Germany
total: 312,685 sq km
country comparison to the world: 70
land: 304,255 sq km
water: 8,430 sq km
slightly smaller than New Mexico
total: 3,047 km
border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land
arable land: 35.49%
permanent crops: 1.25%
other: 63.26% (2011)
total: 11.96 cu km/yr (31%/60%/10%)
per capita: 312.3 cu m/yr (2009)
situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide 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; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government
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
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)
Polish (official) 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
Roman Catholic 89.8% [about 75% practicing], Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)
38,383,809 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,881,605/female 2,721,614)
15-24 years: 12.3% (male 2,412,546/female 2,313,222)
25-54 years: 44.1% (male 8,506,429/female 8,408,872)
55-64 years: 14.5% (male 2,632,058/female 2,952,063)
65 years and over: 14.5% (male 2,142,246/female 3,413,154) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 41.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 21.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 20.4 %
potential support ratio: 4.9 (2013)
total: 39.1 years
male: 37.5 years
female: 40.9 years (2013 est.)
-0.09% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
9.88 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
urban population: 60.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
WARSAW (capital) 1.71 million; Krakow 756,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 176
total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 169
male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 76.45 years
country comparison to the world: 77
male: 72.53 years
female: 80.62 years (2013 est.)
1.32 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
6.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 91
2.07 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
6.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
27,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
degree of risk: intermediate
vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
25.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
5.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.9%
female: 99.6% (2011 est.)
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2010)
total: 26.5%
country comparison to the world: 36
male: 24.1%
female: 30% (2012)
conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form: Poland
local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form: Polska
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
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)
11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1997, approved by referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997; amended 2006, 2009 (2013)
civil law system; changes gradually being introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (since 6 August 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 16 November 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Janusz PIECHOCINSKI (since 6 December 2012) and Elzbieta BIENKOWSKA (since 27 November 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 June and 4 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm
election results: Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI elected president; percent of popular vote - Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI 53%, Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI 47%
bicameral legislature consists of an upper house, the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the Sejm (460 seats; members elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly
elections: Senate - last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held by October 2015); Sejm - last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held by October 2015)
election results and current seat distribution: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PO 63, PiS 29, PSL 2, SP 2, independents 4; as of 25 January 2014 - PO 62, PiS 30, PSL 2, SP 2, independents 4; Sejm - percent of vote by party - PO 39.2%, PiS 29.9%, RP 10%, PSL 8.4%, SLD 8.2%, other 4.3%; seats by party - PO 206, PiS 137, RP 43, PSL 28, SLD 25, SP 19, independent 1, German minority 1; as of 25 January 2014 - PO 203, PiS 136, TR 36, PSL 33, SLD 26, SP 17, independent 8, German Minority 1
note: the German minority is exempt from the 5% threshold requirement for seats to the Sejm
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, normally at age 65, but tenure can be extended
subordinate courts: Constitutional Tribunal; regional and appellate courts subdivided into military, civil, criminal, labor, and family courts
Civic Platform or PO [Donald TUSK, chairman; Rafal GRUPINSKI, parliamentary caucus leader]
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ]
Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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
chief of mission: Ambassador Ryszard SCHNEPF (since 28 September 2012)
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen MULL (since 24 October 2012)
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)
telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000
FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688
consulate(s) general: Krakow
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
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
Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and Poland's economy was the only one in the European Union to avoid a recession through the 2008-09 economic downturn. Although EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy since 2004, GDP per capita remains significantly below the EU average while unemployment continues to exceed the EU average. The government of Prime Minister Donald TUSK steered the Polish economy through the economic downturn by skillfully managing public finances without stifling economic growth and adopted controversial pension and tax reforms to further shore up public finances. While the Polish economy has performed well over the past five years, growth slowed in 2012, in part due to the ongoing economic difficulties in the euro zone. The key policy challenge is to provide support to the economy through monetary easing, while maintaining the pace of structural fiscal consolidation. Poland's economic performance could improve over the longer term if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure and its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, red tape, and a burdensome tax system keep the private sector from realizing its full potential.
$792.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$483.2 billion (2012 est.)
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$20,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
17.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
household consumption: 61.2%
government consumption: 17.8%
investment in fixed capital: 19.3%
investment in inventories: 1.6%
exports of goods and services: 46%
imports of goods and services: -45.6%
agriculture: 4%
industry: 32.2%
services: 63.8% (2012 est.)
potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
1.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
18.17 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
agriculture: 12.9%
industry: 30.2%
services: 57% (2010)
12.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 27.1% (2009 est.)
34.1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 92
revenues: $88.31 billion
expenditures: $97.65 billion (2012 est.)
18.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
-1.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
48.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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
3.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
4.25% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
8.73% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$156.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$293.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$328.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$168.1 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 36
$-18.14 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
$191 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6%
Germany 26%, UK 7%, Czech Republic 6.5%, France 6%, Russia 5.2%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4.6% (2012)
$197.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9% (2011 est.)
Germany 27.3%, Russia 12.2%, Netherlands 5.9%, China 5.4%, Italy 5.2%, Czech Republic 4.3%, France 4.2% (2012)
$108.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$364.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$246.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$70.28 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
zlotych (PLN) per US dollar -
153.4 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
155 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
12.64 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 16
9.803 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
33.36 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
89.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
2.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
3.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
27,680 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
3,615 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
547,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
156.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 63
636,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
576,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
68,970 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
137,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
6.193 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
14.38 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
25.01 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
37.38 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
92 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 57
307.9 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
6.125 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 28
50.84 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 27
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
domestic: mobile-cellular service available since 1993 and provided by three nation-wide networks with a fourth provider beginning operations in late 2006; coverage is generally good with some gaps in the east; fixed-line service lags in rural areas
international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2011)
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)
13.265 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
22.452 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 19
126 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 47
total: 87
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 36
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 6 (2013)
total: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m:
gas 14,198 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products 777 km (2013)
total: 19,428 km
country comparison to the world: 15
broad gauge: 399 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 19,029 km 1.435-m gauge (11,805 km electrified) (2007)
total: 412,035 km
country comparison to the world: 15
paved: 280,719 km (includes 2,418 km of expressways)
unpaved: 131,316 km (2012)
3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 117
by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1
registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas 34, Cyprus 24, Liberia 13, Malta 21, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Vanuatu 9) (2010)
major seaport(s): Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie
river port(s): Szczecin (River Oder)
Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation Forces, Special Forces (2013)
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)
males age 16-49: 9,531,855
females age 16-49: 9,298,593 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 7,817,556
females age 16-49: 7,766,361 (2010 est.)
male: 221,889
female: 211,172 (2010 est.)
1.91% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 141
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
refugees (country of origin): 14,938 (Russia) (2012)
stateless persons: 10,825 (2012)
