Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Europe
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 312,685 sq km
country comparison to the world: 70
land: 304,255 sq km
water: 8,430 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
440 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 35.49%
permanent crops: 1.25%
other: 63.26% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,157 sq km (2007)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61.6 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.96 cu km/yr (31%/60%/10%)
per capita: 312.3 cu m/yr (2009)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
flooding
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Polish (official) 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 89.8% [about 75% practicing], Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38,383,809 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 41.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 21.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 20.4 %
potential support ratio: 4.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39.1 years
male: 37.5 years
female: 40.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.09% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.88 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 60.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
WARSAW (capital) 1.71 million; Krakow 756,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.6 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 176
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.45 years
country comparison to the world: 77
male: 72.53 years
female: 80.62 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.32 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
72.7%
note: 20-49 (1991)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 91
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.07 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 56
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.9%
female: 99.6% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2010)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 26.5%
country comparison to the world: 36
male: 24.1%
female: 30% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form: Poland
local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form: Polska
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1997, approved by referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997; amended 2006, 2009 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Civic Platform or PO [Donald TUSK, chairman; Rafal GRUPINSKI, parliamentary caucus leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white eagle
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$792.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$483.2 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 4%
industry: 32.2%
services: 63.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.17 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 12.9%
industry: 30.2%
services: 57% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.6% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 27.1% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 92
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $88.31 billion
expenditures: $97.65 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.25% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.73% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$156.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$293.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$328.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$168.1 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 36
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-18.14 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$191 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6%
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 26%, UK 7%, Czech Republic 6.5%, France 6%, Russia 5.2%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4.6% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$197.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9% (2011 est.)
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 27.3%, Russia 12.2%, Netherlands 5.9%, China 5.4%, Italy 5.2%, Czech Republic 4.3%, France 4.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$108.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$364.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$246.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$70.28 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
zlotych (PLN) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
153.4 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
155 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.64 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 16
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.803 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.36 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
89.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27,680 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,615 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
547,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
156.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 63
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
636,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
576,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68,970 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
137,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.193 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.38 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.01 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.38 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
92 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 57
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
307.9 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.125 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 28
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50.84 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 27
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.pl
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.265 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.452 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 19
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
126 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 47
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 14,198 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products 777 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie
river port(s): Szczecin (River Oder)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation Forces, Special Forces (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 9,531,855
females age 16-49: 9,298,593 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 7,817,556
females age 16-49: 7,766,361 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 221,889
female: 211,172 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.91% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 141
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 14,938 (Russia) (2012)
stateless persons: 10,825 (2012)