Social Sustainability
#25Key Findings
Poland performs relatively poorly in international comparison (rank 25) in the area of social sustainability.
Public spending on education has declined in recent years. Increasingly strict state control and low pay have made it difficult to attract new teachers. Childcare has been a key focus, with more than 90% of children 3 and above enrolled as of 2021.
Anti-poverty measures have been another strong focus. The government froze household energy prices, and offered low-interest loans for housing, with limited success. Healthcare quality is improving, but the system is underfunded, with many hospitals facing financial problems and staffing shortages. Private health insurance is becoming more popular.
Gender inequalities are diminishing largely due to socioeconomic changes. Government policy has emphasized traditional family roles, offering generous family financial benefits. Millions of Ukrainians have entered the country during the war, and have been granted work permits and social benefits. The PiS otherwise framed migration as a threat to national identity and security.
Public spending on education has declined in recent years. Increasingly strict state control and low pay have made it difficult to attract new teachers. Childcare has been a key focus, with more than 90% of children 3 and above enrolled as of 2021.
Anti-poverty measures have been another strong focus. The government froze household energy prices, and offered low-interest loans for housing, with limited success. Healthcare quality is improving, but the system is underfunded, with many hospitals facing financial problems and staffing shortages. Private health insurance is becoming more popular.
Gender inequalities are diminishing largely due to socioeconomic changes. Government policy has emphasized traditional family roles, offering generous family financial benefits. Millions of Ukrainians have entered the country during the war, and have been granted work permits and social benefits. The PiS otherwise framed migration as a threat to national identity and security.
Graph View
Graph View
To what extent do policies and regulations in the education system hinder or facilitate high-quality education and training?
10
9
9
Education policies are fully aligned with the goal of ensuring high-quality education and training.
8
7
6
7
6
Education policies are largely aligned with the goal of ensuring high-quality education and training.
5
4
3
4
3
Education policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of ensuring high-quality education and training.
2
1
1
Education policies are not at all aligned with the goal of ensuring high-quality education and training.
The general conditions of the educational system in Poland have been challenging. Public spending on education decreased from 5.6% to 4.9% of GDP between 2004 and 2021 (Eurostat 2023). While local governments manage education funding, the national government provides them with resources through the state budget. However, local governments were reported to cover nearly 30% of education costs from their own funds as early as 2019 (Polityka Insight/Fundacja Przyjazny Kraj 2021). The Ministry of Education and Science, led by Przemysław Czarnek, attempted to centralize control and expand the powers of regional supervisors.
Increasingly strict state control and an unfavorable pay system have made it difficult to attract new teachers. In 2022, the number of teacher vacancies reached 20,000, with the figure peaking at 30,000 in 2023. Retired teachers and overtime work partly mitigated the shortage. The pay gap between public and private schools widened, with private schools offering better financial incentives. In public schools, it takes 42 years to reach the top salary range, and the starting salary for teachers was below €20,000 per year on a purchasing power parity basis (European Commission 2023). Additionally, rigid curricula have hindered educational innovation.
In collaboration with the Educational Research Institute, the Ministry of Education and Science has monitored labor market demands and published annual reports on shifting labor market needs. These reports have helped companies and schools align training and subsidies with market demand. Further education opportunities in the form of courses and postgraduate studies have been made available, supported by government and EU funding. About 7.6% of the adult population participated in lifelong learning in 2022, compared to the EU average of 11.9% (Euridice 2023).
Education for sustainable development is incorporated into the core curriculum for kindergarten through secondary school, covering subjects like science, technology, biology, chemistry, geography and social studies. Higher education institutions have also added “green” knowledge to their curricula.
Citations:
Eurostat. 2023. “Total General Government Expenditure on ‘Education,’ 2021 (% of GDP).” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Total_general_government_expenditure_on_%27education%27,_2021_(%25_of_GDP)_.png
European Commission. 2023. “Teachers’ and School Heads’ Salaries and Allowances in Europe 2021/2022.” https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4b900c13-6977-11ee-9220-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Euridice. 2023. “Poland.” https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/main-providers
Polityka Insight/Fundacja Przyjazny Kraj. 2021. “Usługi publiczne w kryzysie: edukacja do zmiany.” https://www.politykainsight.pl/bibliotekaraportow/2111945,1,uslugi-publiczne-w-kryzysie-edukacja-do-zmiany.read
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/cf8409f1-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/cf8409f1-en
https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/pisa-scores-by-country
https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/national-reforms-school-education
Increasingly strict state control and an unfavorable pay system have made it difficult to attract new teachers. In 2022, the number of teacher vacancies reached 20,000, with the figure peaking at 30,000 in 2023. Retired teachers and overtime work partly mitigated the shortage. The pay gap between public and private schools widened, with private schools offering better financial incentives. In public schools, it takes 42 years to reach the top salary range, and the starting salary for teachers was below €20,000 per year on a purchasing power parity basis (European Commission 2023). Additionally, rigid curricula have hindered educational innovation.
In collaboration with the Educational Research Institute, the Ministry of Education and Science has monitored labor market demands and published annual reports on shifting labor market needs. These reports have helped companies and schools align training and subsidies with market demand. Further education opportunities in the form of courses and postgraduate studies have been made available, supported by government and EU funding. About 7.6% of the adult population participated in lifelong learning in 2022, compared to the EU average of 11.9% (Euridice 2023).
Education for sustainable development is incorporated into the core curriculum for kindergarten through secondary school, covering subjects like science, technology, biology, chemistry, geography and social studies. Higher education institutions have also added “green” knowledge to their curricula.
Citations:
Eurostat. 2023. “Total General Government Expenditure on ‘Education,’ 2021 (% of GDP).” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Total_general_government_expenditure_on_%27education%27,_2021_(%25_of_GDP)_.png
European Commission. 2023. “Teachers’ and School Heads’ Salaries and Allowances in Europe 2021/2022.” https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4b900c13-6977-11ee-9220-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Euridice. 2023. “Poland.” https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/main-providers
Polityka Insight/Fundacja Przyjazny Kraj. 2021. “Usługi publiczne w kryzysie: edukacja do zmiany.” https://www.politykainsight.pl/bibliotekaraportow/2111945,1,uslugi-publiczne-w-kryzysie-edukacja-do-zmiany.read
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/cf8409f1-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/cf8409f1-en
https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/pisa-scores-by-country
https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/national-reforms-school-education
To what extent does the current policy approach in the education system hinder or facilitate equitable access to high-quality education and training?
10
9
9
Education policies are fully aligned with the goal of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education and training.
8
7
6
7
6
Education policies are largely aligned with the goal of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education and training.
5
4
3
4
3
Education policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education and training.
2
1
1
Education policies are not at all aligned with the goal of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education and training.
Poland has made efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable educational system, ensuring that students have equal access to educational opportunities regardless of their socioeconomic background. The country provides 12 years of compulsory education, including primary and lower secondary education. Additionally, measures are in place to support students with special educational needs. Poland has a predominantly public education system, meaning the government funds education. This helps reduce financial barriers to access.
The PiS government made significant efforts to increase the availability of childcare, making this one of the most important elements of its family-oriented policies. In 2021, more than 90% of pupils from age three to the starting age of compulsory education at the primary level were enrolled in early childhood education, a figure close to the EU average (Eurostat 2023). Over the last decade, the number of available places in preschools in Poland has been increasing. Residents of large cities and surrounding areas, as well as those in the western counties of Poland, have easier access to preschools than do other populations. Conversely, underfunded preschools are primarily located in the counties of the Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodships, which are among the country’s poorest regions.
The government introduced the Family Care Capital Act, which, as of April 1, 2022 provided subsidies for children under three years old to attend childcare institutions. The funds are transferred directly to municipalities, private entities, foundations, associations and individuals. The goal is to facilitate access to childcare institutions, particularly in areas that lack public services.
Despite these efforts, challenges related to equitable access have persisted. Socioeconomic factors continue to influence educational outcomes, and there are regional disparities in the quality of education. Additionally, issues such as the availability of resources, teacher quality and infrastructure affect the overall equity of the system. Among the biggest challenges have been access to higher education institutions due to high living costs in cities, along with insufficient support schemes for students.
Poland has also recognized the importance of providing second-chance education opportunities for individuals who may have left the formal education system with low skill levels. All types of adult schools – primary, secondary and post-secondary – are run by the state. In the case of post-secondary schools, most are private (Statistics Poland 2023). The state has established adult education centers (Ośrodki Kształcenia Ustawicznego Dorosłych, OKUD) that offer a variety of courses and programs aimed at adults who wish to improve their skills or obtain additional qualifications. There is also an emphasis on vocational education and training (VET). However, the validation of non-formal and informal learning systems does not work efficiently (Eurydice 2023).
Citations:
Euridice. 2023. “Poland.” https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/main-providers
Eurostat. 2023. “Share of pupils from age 3 years to the starting age of compulsory education at primary level who are enrolled in early childhood education.” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Share_of_pupils_from_age_3_years_to_the_starting_age_of_compulsory_education_at_primary_level_who_are_enrolled_in_early_childhood_education,_2021_(%25)_ET2023.png
Statistics Poland. 2023. “Education in the School Year 2022/2023 (Preliminary Data).” https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/education/education/education-in-the-school-year-20222023-preliminary-data,13,1.html
The PiS government made significant efforts to increase the availability of childcare, making this one of the most important elements of its family-oriented policies. In 2021, more than 90% of pupils from age three to the starting age of compulsory education at the primary level were enrolled in early childhood education, a figure close to the EU average (Eurostat 2023). Over the last decade, the number of available places in preschools in Poland has been increasing. Residents of large cities and surrounding areas, as well as those in the western counties of Poland, have easier access to preschools than do other populations. Conversely, underfunded preschools are primarily located in the counties of the Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodships, which are among the country’s poorest regions.
The government introduced the Family Care Capital Act, which, as of April 1, 2022 provided subsidies for children under three years old to attend childcare institutions. The funds are transferred directly to municipalities, private entities, foundations, associations and individuals. The goal is to facilitate access to childcare institutions, particularly in areas that lack public services.
Despite these efforts, challenges related to equitable access have persisted. Socioeconomic factors continue to influence educational outcomes, and there are regional disparities in the quality of education. Additionally, issues such as the availability of resources, teacher quality and infrastructure affect the overall equity of the system. Among the biggest challenges have been access to higher education institutions due to high living costs in cities, along with insufficient support schemes for students.
Poland has also recognized the importance of providing second-chance education opportunities for individuals who may have left the formal education system with low skill levels. All types of adult schools – primary, secondary and post-secondary – are run by the state. In the case of post-secondary schools, most are private (Statistics Poland 2023). The state has established adult education centers (Ośrodki Kształcenia Ustawicznego Dorosłych, OKUD) that offer a variety of courses and programs aimed at adults who wish to improve their skills or obtain additional qualifications. There is also an emphasis on vocational education and training (VET). However, the validation of non-formal and informal learning systems does not work efficiently (Eurydice 2023).
Citations:
Euridice. 2023. “Poland.” https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/poland/main-providers
Eurostat. 2023. “Share of pupils from age 3 years to the starting age of compulsory education at primary level who are enrolled in early childhood education.” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Share_of_pupils_from_age_3_years_to_the_starting_age_of_compulsory_education_at_primary_level_who_are_enrolled_in_early_childhood_education,_2021_(%25)_ET2023.png
Statistics Poland. 2023. “Education in the School Year 2022/2023 (Preliminary Data).” https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/education/education/education-in-the-school-year-20222023-preliminary-data,13,1.html
Graph View
To what extent do existing institutions ensure equal access to essential services and basic income support for those in need?
10
9
9
Existing essential public services and basic income support are fully aligned with the goal of ensuring equal access for those in need.
8
7
6
7
6
Existing essential public services and basic income support are largely aligned with the goal of ensuring equal access for those in need.
5
4
3
4
3
Existing essential public services and basic income support are only somewhat aligned with the goal of ensuring equal access for those in need.
2
1
1
Existing essential public services and basic income support are not at all aligned with the goal of ensuring equal access for those in need.
One of the key objectives outlined in the policies of the PiS government was combating poverty in all its manifestations, along with promotion of what it called a solidaristic state. Various initiatives were undertaken to introduce effective tools to assist citizens in meeting their existential and social needs. Notably, in 2022, 4.7% of the population, or approximately 1.7 million individuals, were deemed to be in extreme poverty. By the fourth quarter of 2022, the extreme poverty threshold was PLN 835 per month for a single-person household and PLN 2,254 for a four-person family (comprising two adults and two children aged 14 or under). However, Polish legislators also introduced the concept of legal poverty, corresponding to income thresholds that qualified individuals for financial assistance through social support. In 2022, this threshold was PLN 776 for a single-person household, and PLN 600 per person within a family. About 7% of the population in Poland were deemed to be in conditions of legal poverty, and assistance was not indexed according to the inflation rate, as in the case of pensions (GUS 2023).
The Polish government implemented specific measures to support citizens in response to these challenges. Among these measures was the introduction of an “energy shield,” which involved a freeze on household electricity prices. Simultaneously, an extensive information campaign alleviated concerns associated with escalating inflation rates. Seeking to address the issue of housing accessibility, the government launched the “Housing to Start” program, and in 2023, the “Safe Loan at 2%” initiative was introduced.
Unfortunately, the heightened demand for housing following the onset of the war in Ukraine led to a surge in housing prices. Inflation, in turn, adversely affected household creditworthiness, prompting some Poles to return temporarily to living with their parents. Only toward the end of 2023 did a modest improvement and an uptick in the number of granted housing loans become perceptible.
Turning to digital infrastructure development and its implications for accessing financial and health services, it becomes evident that older individuals have been somewhat overlooked in these initiatives. Most such services, being available exclusively online, have tended to favor younger demographics and those with higher educational backgrounds. The prevailing slogan, “You can handle everything from home,” was exaggerated, if not superficial.
Citations:
GUS. 2023. “Zasięg ubóstwa ekonomicznego w Polsce w 2022r.” Warszawa https://stat.gov.pl/files/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5487/14/10/1/zasieg_ubostwa_ekonomicznego_w_polsce_w_2022_roku.pdf
The Polish government implemented specific measures to support citizens in response to these challenges. Among these measures was the introduction of an “energy shield,” which involved a freeze on household electricity prices. Simultaneously, an extensive information campaign alleviated concerns associated with escalating inflation rates. Seeking to address the issue of housing accessibility, the government launched the “Housing to Start” program, and in 2023, the “Safe Loan at 2%” initiative was introduced.
Unfortunately, the heightened demand for housing following the onset of the war in Ukraine led to a surge in housing prices. Inflation, in turn, adversely affected household creditworthiness, prompting some Poles to return temporarily to living with their parents. Only toward the end of 2023 did a modest improvement and an uptick in the number of granted housing loans become perceptible.
Turning to digital infrastructure development and its implications for accessing financial and health services, it becomes evident that older individuals have been somewhat overlooked in these initiatives. Most such services, being available exclusively online, have tended to favor younger demographics and those with higher educational backgrounds. The prevailing slogan, “You can handle everything from home,” was exaggerated, if not superficial.
Citations:
GUS. 2023. “Zasięg ubóstwa ekonomicznego w Polsce w 2022r.” Warszawa https://stat.gov.pl/files/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5487/14/10/1/zasieg_ubostwa_ekonomicznego_w_polsce_w_2022_roku.pdf
To what extent do existing institutions and policies ensure high-quality services and basic income support?
10
9
9
Existing essential public services and basic income support are fully aligned with the goal of satisfying basic human needs.
8
7
6
7
6
Existing essential public services and basic income support are largely aligned with the goal of satisfying basic human needs.
5
4
3
4
3
Existing essential public services and basic income support are only somewhat aligned with the goal of satisfying basic human needs.
2
1
1
Existing essential public services and basic income support are not at all aligned with the goal of satisfying basic human needs.
Various social issues have been addressed via social assistance programs, including disability, homelessness, poverty, social exclusion (marginalization) and unemployment. The organizational units responsible for providing social assistance are well-structured, albeit underpaid, and include regional centers for social policy, county family assistance centers and social assistance centers.
In 2022 and 2023, Poland experienced significant turmoil, characterized by rampant inflation and political instability. Benefits related to incapacity to work or having children sharply declined in value. The well-known 500+ per child benefit effectively dwindled to PLN 335, and the fixed allowance provided to the poorest individuals who are unable to work (PLN 710) realistically fell to approximately 560 PLN between January 2022 and March 2023. It is important to note that individuals in households relying on social benefits (excluding pensions) constitute the population that is most vulnerable to extreme poverty. The government was unable to increase the value of these benefits, which led to prolonged structural poverty.
Another group affected by poverty was the residents of smaller towns and villages, where various factors overlapped. Among other things, this included energy poverty that affected up to 10% of the population. In smaller communities, residents also faced challenges related to transportation poverty. The state does not ensure access to public transportation, with difficulties thus periodically affecting around 14 million people. Moreover, the transportation provided by local authorities has not resolved this issue. Consequently, a significant number of Poles choose personal cars as their main means of transportation. The average age of these cars is 15 to 17 years, with deleterious consequences for the environment.
A significant problem has also emerged with regard to child poverty. After years of decline from the 2015 rate of 9%, 2022 was the first year that did not see a change in the scale of child poverty, with the rate remaining at 5%. This stability was attributed to the 500+ program, but it necessitates annual indexing rather than political maneuvers implemented before elections. Digital and financial services are mostly accessible, but certain groups, especially older people, have limited access.
In 2022 and 2023, Poland experienced significant turmoil, characterized by rampant inflation and political instability. Benefits related to incapacity to work or having children sharply declined in value. The well-known 500+ per child benefit effectively dwindled to PLN 335, and the fixed allowance provided to the poorest individuals who are unable to work (PLN 710) realistically fell to approximately 560 PLN between January 2022 and March 2023. It is important to note that individuals in households relying on social benefits (excluding pensions) constitute the population that is most vulnerable to extreme poverty. The government was unable to increase the value of these benefits, which led to prolonged structural poverty.
Another group affected by poverty was the residents of smaller towns and villages, where various factors overlapped. Among other things, this included energy poverty that affected up to 10% of the population. In smaller communities, residents also faced challenges related to transportation poverty. The state does not ensure access to public transportation, with difficulties thus periodically affecting around 14 million people. Moreover, the transportation provided by local authorities has not resolved this issue. Consequently, a significant number of Poles choose personal cars as their main means of transportation. The average age of these cars is 15 to 17 years, with deleterious consequences for the environment.
A significant problem has also emerged with regard to child poverty. After years of decline from the 2015 rate of 9%, 2022 was the first year that did not see a change in the scale of child poverty, with the rate remaining at 5%. This stability was attributed to the 500+ program, but it necessitates annual indexing rather than political maneuvers implemented before elections. Digital and financial services are mostly accessible, but certain groups, especially older people, have limited access.
Graph View
To what extent does current health policy hinder or facilitate health system resilience?
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9
9
Health policies are fully aligned with the goal of achieving a resilient health system.
8
7
6
7
6
Health policies are largely aligned with the goal of achieving a resilient health system.
5
4
3
4
3
Health policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of achieving a resilient health system.
2
1
1
Health policies are not at all aligned with the goal of achieving a resilient health system.
Poland’s healthcare system relies heavily on government ownership of most hospitals and clinics, with public control at the regional level. The National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia, NFZ) serves as the sole payer and government-operated insurer. Despite this extensive coverage, the system faces significant challenges.
The healthcare system in Poland is characterized by one of the EU’s lowest levels of public financing, and faces systemic issues. Approximately 20% of Polish hospitals, particularly those at the county level, face financial problems and significant debts due to the need to provide services beyond their contracted agreements. Other pressing issues include the fragmented nature of the healthcare system, the duplication of services, staffing shortages and long waiting times for services. As a result, patients incur substantial costs, particularly for medications, which comprise about two-thirds of overall healthcare expenses.
Poland also faces rising rates of cancer, cardiac issues and obesity, especially among children. The country is ranked at 32nd place in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, a drop from 31st in 2021. It is weakest in the categories of choice (32nd) and science and technology (31st). These rankings reflect problematic issues with regard to patient-centered care, inadequate infrastructure and limited scientific impact.
Despite these challenges, Poland’s healthcare system remains relatively stable, earning an 11th-place ranking in the category of fiscal sustainability. This stability is attributed to the country’s 17th-place position in national solvency, 11th-place position in public healthcare spending and 8th-place position with regard to the growth of public healthcare spending. The consistent funding level since 2015 – around 6.5% of GDP – has contributed to this stability. Stringent price controls and access limitations have helped manage spending growth, though this has come with notable drawbacks for patients (The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity 2023).
The pandemic accelerated the implementation of digital tools in healthcare. The Internetowe Konto Pacjenta (IKP), an online patient account system, allows over 17 million Poles to manage prescriptions and referrals, select or change doctors, and access their medical records. This initiative, part of the React-EU program, now covers more than half the population.
The system’s inflexibility and inefficiency were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to the introduction of the e-Gabinet program to improve accessibility and efficiency in the primary healthcare sector (POZ). In 2023, the Dostępność Plus project aimed to remove barriers to accessing medical products and services, such as communication aids and training. The enhancement of teleinformatics infrastructure has improved the public’s access to medical services, providing quicker and easier access to treatment history and medical documentation for medical personnel and citizens.
Citations:
The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. 2023. “Poland: #32 in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation.” https://freopp.org/poland-32-in-the-2022-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation-f5226a985068
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/f597c810-en.pdf?expires=1709477587&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=F96D8B9A016F82630A2CF29EF2293BFF
The healthcare system in Poland is characterized by one of the EU’s lowest levels of public financing, and faces systemic issues. Approximately 20% of Polish hospitals, particularly those at the county level, face financial problems and significant debts due to the need to provide services beyond their contracted agreements. Other pressing issues include the fragmented nature of the healthcare system, the duplication of services, staffing shortages and long waiting times for services. As a result, patients incur substantial costs, particularly for medications, which comprise about two-thirds of overall healthcare expenses.
Poland also faces rising rates of cancer, cardiac issues and obesity, especially among children. The country is ranked at 32nd place in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, a drop from 31st in 2021. It is weakest in the categories of choice (32nd) and science and technology (31st). These rankings reflect problematic issues with regard to patient-centered care, inadequate infrastructure and limited scientific impact.
Despite these challenges, Poland’s healthcare system remains relatively stable, earning an 11th-place ranking in the category of fiscal sustainability. This stability is attributed to the country’s 17th-place position in national solvency, 11th-place position in public healthcare spending and 8th-place position with regard to the growth of public healthcare spending. The consistent funding level since 2015 – around 6.5% of GDP – has contributed to this stability. Stringent price controls and access limitations have helped manage spending growth, though this has come with notable drawbacks for patients (The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity 2023).
The pandemic accelerated the implementation of digital tools in healthcare. The Internetowe Konto Pacjenta (IKP), an online patient account system, allows over 17 million Poles to manage prescriptions and referrals, select or change doctors, and access their medical records. This initiative, part of the React-EU program, now covers more than half the population.
The system’s inflexibility and inefficiency were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to the introduction of the e-Gabinet program to improve accessibility and efficiency in the primary healthcare sector (POZ). In 2023, the Dostępność Plus project aimed to remove barriers to accessing medical products and services, such as communication aids and training. The enhancement of teleinformatics infrastructure has improved the public’s access to medical services, providing quicker and easier access to treatment history and medical documentation for medical personnel and citizens.
Citations:
The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. 2023. “Poland: #32 in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation.” https://freopp.org/poland-32-in-the-2022-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation-f5226a985068
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/f597c810-en.pdf?expires=1709477587&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=F96D8B9A016F82630A2CF29EF2293BFF
To what extent does current health policy hinder or facilitate achieving high-quality healthcare?
10
9
9
Health policies are fully aligned with the goal of achieving high-quality healthcare.
8
7
6
7
6
Health policies are largely aligned with the goal of achieving high-quality healthcare.
5
4
3
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Health policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of achieving high-quality healthcare.
2
1
1
Health policies are not at all aligned with the goal of achieving high-quality healthcare.
High-quality healthcare is gradually being implemented. Polish specialists achieve excellent results in some areas such as ophthalmology, performing breakthrough procedures and forming teams with international renown in other fields. The Act on Healthcare and Patient Safety came into effect on January 1, 2024, imposing requirements for hospitals to obtain authorization and accreditation.
From the patient’s perspective, an essential focus in this area is prevention. Although only 2% of total health expenditures have been allocated to prevention in recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on this area from the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund. In 2023, 10 preventive programs were conducted in Poland. In 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 40+ program was introduced, allowing diagnostic tests based on gender for individuals aged 40 and above (extended until June 30, 2024). To address the changing needs of the world and growing concerns about the youngest generation, the “Treatment of e-addictions in children” pilot program was launched. This program applies to children and adolescents up to the completion of secondary school and encompasses psychological and therapeutic counseling as well as participation in group or family sessions.
On June 1, 2023, Poland initiated a program for universal, free vaccinations for teenagers against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Additionally, efforts are being made to coordinate patient care, with a current focus on pregnant women and obese individuals in the cardiology and oncology fields, for example. The National Oncology Network introduced a new model of organization and management of oncological care in 2024.
Citations:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9779126/
From the patient’s perspective, an essential focus in this area is prevention. Although only 2% of total health expenditures have been allocated to prevention in recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on this area from the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund. In 2023, 10 preventive programs were conducted in Poland. In 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 40+ program was introduced, allowing diagnostic tests based on gender for individuals aged 40 and above (extended until June 30, 2024). To address the changing needs of the world and growing concerns about the youngest generation, the “Treatment of e-addictions in children” pilot program was launched. This program applies to children and adolescents up to the completion of secondary school and encompasses psychological and therapeutic counseling as well as participation in group or family sessions.
On June 1, 2023, Poland initiated a program for universal, free vaccinations for teenagers against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Additionally, efforts are being made to coordinate patient care, with a current focus on pregnant women and obese individuals in the cardiology and oncology fields, for example. The National Oncology Network introduced a new model of organization and management of oncological care in 2024.
Citations:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9779126/
To what extent does current health policy hinder or facilitate equitable access to high-quality healthcare?
10
9
9
Health policies are fully aligned with the goal of achieving equitable access to high-quality healthcare.
8
7
6
7
6
Health policies are largely aligned with the goal of achieving equitable access to high-quality healthcare.
5
4
3
4
3
Health policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of achieving equitable access to high-quality healthcare.
2
1
1
Health policies are not at all aligned with the goal of achieving equitable access to high-quality healthcare.
In Poland, policies and regulations ensure equal access to healthcare in terms of timeliness, quality and scope, irrespective of socioeconomic status, age, gender or ethnicity. However, challenges persist, and achieving complete equity remains an ongoing goal.
Access to healthcare can vary between urban and rural areas, with some regions facing challenges related to healthcare infrastructure, specialist availability and medical facilities.
According to reports from Watch Health Care (2023), the average waiting time for specialist appointments in Poland has increased by almost two months in recent years. In 2022, the longest queues for specialist doctors were observed for orthodontists (11.7 months) and pediatric neurologists (11 months). The waiting time for a single healthcare service averaged 3.5 months in 2023 (Watch Health Care 2023). Insufficient accessibility to specialists and medical examinations has led to a significant increase in the popularity of private health insurance. By the end of 2022, the number of private health insurance policies reached 4.23 million, 9.2% more than the previous year (Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń 2023).
Citations:
Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń. 2023. “Ponad 4 miliony Polaków korzysta z prywatnych ubezpieczeń zdrowotnych.” https://piu.org.pl/prywatne-ubezpieczenia-zdrowotne-ma-ponad-4-mln-polakow/
Watch Healtch Care. 2023. “Barometr. Raport dotyczący zmian dostępności do gwarantowanych świadczeń zdrowotnych w Polsce.” Nr 01/09.
Access to healthcare can vary between urban and rural areas, with some regions facing challenges related to healthcare infrastructure, specialist availability and medical facilities.
According to reports from Watch Health Care (2023), the average waiting time for specialist appointments in Poland has increased by almost two months in recent years. In 2022, the longest queues for specialist doctors were observed for orthodontists (11.7 months) and pediatric neurologists (11 months). The waiting time for a single healthcare service averaged 3.5 months in 2023 (Watch Health Care 2023). Insufficient accessibility to specialists and medical examinations has led to a significant increase in the popularity of private health insurance. By the end of 2022, the number of private health insurance policies reached 4.23 million, 9.2% more than the previous year (Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń 2023).
Citations:
Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń. 2023. “Ponad 4 miliony Polaków korzysta z prywatnych ubezpieczeń zdrowotnych.” https://piu.org.pl/prywatne-ubezpieczenia-zdrowotne-ma-ponad-4-mln-polakow/
Watch Healtch Care. 2023. “Barometr. Raport dotyczący zmian dostępności do gwarantowanych świadczeń zdrowotnych w Polsce.” Nr 01/09.
Graph View
How committed is the government to ensuring gender equality in all respects?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of ensuring gender equality.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of ensuring gender equality.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of ensuring gender equality.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of ensuring gender equality.
Gender inequalities in Poland are diminishing, as reflected by numerous socioeconomic indicators. However, this progress is primarily due to broader societal shifts and increasing economic prosperity rather than deliberate public policies or strategies. As early as the 1990s, studies indicated that Polish women faced discrimination despite constitutional guarantees of equality. Between 2001 and 2005, the new leftist coalition government appointed the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Status of Women and Men, with the status of a secretary of state. A decade later, changes to the electoral system mandated that electoral committees include at least 35% female candidates on their lists.
The Polish Economic Institute (2023) reports that women have experienced significant improvements in their living conditions in recent years, including better health and longer life expectancies. Women also have a higher average level of educational attainment than men, although through different educational paths. In 2021, women held 43% of managerial positions, the second-highest percentage in the EU, and the wage gap had decreased to 4.5%.
Despite the conservative PiS government’s adherence to traditional gender roles and its failure to implement gender equality policies, minor changes supporting equal opportunities have occurred mainly due to the implementation of EU laws. However, on January 27, 2021, amendments to Poland’s abortion law made the country one of the most restrictive in Europe, sparking widespread protests against the government. Documented cases of harassment and reported deaths of pregnant women due to the chilling effect on doctors followed.
According to a Kantar poll for “Fakty” TVN and TVN24 in September 2023, 49% of Poles believed that the situation of women in Poland had worsened during the eight years of Law and Justice rule, while 27% believed it had improved (TVN 2023). In the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, Poland was ranked 60th out of 146 countries, an increase of 17 places compared to 2022. The country held the top position in terms of the percentage of women covered by healthcare but was ranked 73rd in terms of women’s political empowerment (World Economic Forum 2023).
In the 2023 parliamentary elections, women obtained a record 29.6% of Sejm seats. In the new liberal government sworn in December 2023, female leaders of women’s strikes, including Agnieszka Ewa Dziemianowicz-Bąk and Barbara Anna Nowacka, were appointed as ministers, respectively leading the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of National Education. Additionally, a new minister for equality was appointed to oversee the government’s policy on equality issues, including combating discrimination based on various factors.
Citations:
Polish Economic Institute. 2023. Sytuacja kobiet w Polsce z perspektywy społeczno-ekonomicznej. Warszawa. https://pie.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PIE-Raport_Sytuacja_kobiet.pdf
TVN. 2023. “Jak zmieniła się sytuacja kobiet w czasie rządów PiS? Sondaż dla ‘Faktów’ TVN i TVN24.” https://fakty.tvn24.pl/sondaze-dla-faktow-tvn-i-tvn24/jak-zmienila-sie-sytuacja-kobiet-w-czasie-rzadow-pis-sondaz-dla-faktow-tvn-i-tvn24-st7334898
World Economic Forum. 2023. “Global Gender Gap Report 2023.” https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2023/?DAG=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-bmsBhAGEiwAoaQNmokAwUCUHaf6iARqog4XsdEnnplsbT-viAwe-pVvNiLEOopPHE8svhoCxFQQAvD_BwE
The Polish Economic Institute (2023) reports that women have experienced significant improvements in their living conditions in recent years, including better health and longer life expectancies. Women also have a higher average level of educational attainment than men, although through different educational paths. In 2021, women held 43% of managerial positions, the second-highest percentage in the EU, and the wage gap had decreased to 4.5%.
Despite the conservative PiS government’s adherence to traditional gender roles and its failure to implement gender equality policies, minor changes supporting equal opportunities have occurred mainly due to the implementation of EU laws. However, on January 27, 2021, amendments to Poland’s abortion law made the country one of the most restrictive in Europe, sparking widespread protests against the government. Documented cases of harassment and reported deaths of pregnant women due to the chilling effect on doctors followed.
According to a Kantar poll for “Fakty” TVN and TVN24 in September 2023, 49% of Poles believed that the situation of women in Poland had worsened during the eight years of Law and Justice rule, while 27% believed it had improved (TVN 2023). In the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, Poland was ranked 60th out of 146 countries, an increase of 17 places compared to 2022. The country held the top position in terms of the percentage of women covered by healthcare but was ranked 73rd in terms of women’s political empowerment (World Economic Forum 2023).
In the 2023 parliamentary elections, women obtained a record 29.6% of Sejm seats. In the new liberal government sworn in December 2023, female leaders of women’s strikes, including Agnieszka Ewa Dziemianowicz-Bąk and Barbara Anna Nowacka, were appointed as ministers, respectively leading the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of National Education. Additionally, a new minister for equality was appointed to oversee the government’s policy on equality issues, including combating discrimination based on various factors.
Citations:
Polish Economic Institute. 2023. Sytuacja kobiet w Polsce z perspektywy społeczno-ekonomicznej. Warszawa. https://pie.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PIE-Raport_Sytuacja_kobiet.pdf
TVN. 2023. “Jak zmieniła się sytuacja kobiet w czasie rządów PiS? Sondaż dla ‘Faktów’ TVN i TVN24.” https://fakty.tvn24.pl/sondaze-dla-faktow-tvn-i-tvn24/jak-zmienila-sie-sytuacja-kobiet-w-czasie-rzadow-pis-sondaz-dla-faktow-tvn-i-tvn24-st7334898
World Economic Forum. 2023. “Global Gender Gap Report 2023.” https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2023/?DAG=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-bmsBhAGEiwAoaQNmokAwUCUHaf6iARqog4XsdEnnplsbT-viAwe-pVvNiLEOopPHE8svhoCxFQQAvD_BwE
Graph View
To what extent does the current family policy approach support or hinder unpaid family care work?
10
9
9
Family policies are fully aligned with the goal of creating the conditions for strong families.
8
7
6
7
6
Family policies are largely aligned with the goal of creating the conditions for strong families.
5
4
3
4
3
Family policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of creating the conditions for strong families.
2
1
1
Family policies are not at all aligned with the goal of creating family-friendly conditions.
For the formerly governing PiS party, family policy was a political as well as merely a social concept. The official understanding of family narrowed mostly to formalized marriages entailing traditional gender roles. The PiS government’s flagship policies involved generous benefits for families.
Beginning in 2024, the family support program for households with at least one child, previously known as 500+, became the 800+ program. Another initiative aimed at supporting demographics is the Family Care Capital program. Under this program, a family receives PLN 12,000 per child, distributed monthly. Additionally, an extra “incentive” for having a child is a one-time grant for the birth of a child or, in the case of an uninsured mother giving birth, a benefit of PLN 1,000 per month for 12 months.
In Poland, the length of official parental leave is based on the number of children born in a single delivery: 20 weeks for one child, 31 for two, 33 for three, 35 for four and 37 for five or more. The mother must take 16 weeks of this time, and the remaining time can be transferred to the father. Parents also have additional parental leave available for 41 weeks (one child) or 43 weeks (two or more children). The first category of leave provides a 100% allowance, while the second parental leave offers a 70% allowance.
Paid caregiving leave consists of 16 hours, or two days, for a child up to 14 years old, with five days of unpaid caregiving leave provided in the case of serious medical reasons. Each parent can take up to 30 days of medical leave for childcare. Parental leave is designated for working parents, with each entitled to exclusive leave for nine weeks. This leave cannot be transferred, and the total period cannot exceed 41 weeks for one child or 43 weeks for multiple children. Employers cannot refuse the leave request unless this renders the work impossible.
Fathers are also entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave, which can be taken until the child is 12 months old. Children aged three to five are guaranteed a spot in state kindergartens, and six-year-olds are required to attend school. Children up to five years old can attend kindergarten free for five hours daily, with parents paying for any additional hours. Six-year-olds are exempt from kindergarten fees.
Overall, pro-family policies have not resulted in higher birth rates. Financial transfers, especially in lower-income groups, have contributed to the perpetuation of a family model in which caregiving responsibilities are predominantly assigned to women. The employment gap between men and women among individuals aged 25 to 44, particularly after 2015, has also widened. Most alarming is that the Polish population is both aging and decreasing in number. In 2022, over 305,000 children were born, the smallest such figure in decades, and a steadily declining trend has been evident since 2017 (GUS 2023).
Citations:
GUS. 2023. Ludność. Stan i struktura oraz ruch naturalny w przekroju terytorialnym w 2022 r. Stan w dniu 31 grudnia. Warszawa. https://stat.gov.pl/files/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5468/6/34/1/ludnosc_stan_i_struktura_oraz_ruch_naturalny_w_przekroju_terytorialnym_na_31-12-2022.pdf
Beginning in 2024, the family support program for households with at least one child, previously known as 500+, became the 800+ program. Another initiative aimed at supporting demographics is the Family Care Capital program. Under this program, a family receives PLN 12,000 per child, distributed monthly. Additionally, an extra “incentive” for having a child is a one-time grant for the birth of a child or, in the case of an uninsured mother giving birth, a benefit of PLN 1,000 per month for 12 months.
In Poland, the length of official parental leave is based on the number of children born in a single delivery: 20 weeks for one child, 31 for two, 33 for three, 35 for four and 37 for five or more. The mother must take 16 weeks of this time, and the remaining time can be transferred to the father. Parents also have additional parental leave available for 41 weeks (one child) or 43 weeks (two or more children). The first category of leave provides a 100% allowance, while the second parental leave offers a 70% allowance.
Paid caregiving leave consists of 16 hours, or two days, for a child up to 14 years old, with five days of unpaid caregiving leave provided in the case of serious medical reasons. Each parent can take up to 30 days of medical leave for childcare. Parental leave is designated for working parents, with each entitled to exclusive leave for nine weeks. This leave cannot be transferred, and the total period cannot exceed 41 weeks for one child or 43 weeks for multiple children. Employers cannot refuse the leave request unless this renders the work impossible.
Fathers are also entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave, which can be taken until the child is 12 months old. Children aged three to five are guaranteed a spot in state kindergartens, and six-year-olds are required to attend school. Children up to five years old can attend kindergarten free for five hours daily, with parents paying for any additional hours. Six-year-olds are exempt from kindergarten fees.
Overall, pro-family policies have not resulted in higher birth rates. Financial transfers, especially in lower-income groups, have contributed to the perpetuation of a family model in which caregiving responsibilities are predominantly assigned to women. The employment gap between men and women among individuals aged 25 to 44, particularly after 2015, has also widened. Most alarming is that the Polish population is both aging and decreasing in number. In 2022, over 305,000 children were born, the smallest such figure in decades, and a steadily declining trend has been evident since 2017 (GUS 2023).
Citations:
GUS. 2023. Ludność. Stan i struktura oraz ruch naturalny w przekroju terytorialnym w 2022 r. Stan w dniu 31 grudnia. Warszawa. https://stat.gov.pl/files/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5468/6/34/1/ludnosc_stan_i_struktura_oraz_ruch_naturalny_w_przekroju_terytorialnym_na_31-12-2022.pdf
Graph View
To what extent does the current pension policy approach prevent poverty among senior citizens?
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9
9
Pension policies are fully aligned with the goal of preventing old-age poverty.
8
7
6
7
6
Pension policies are largely aligned with the goal of preventing old-age poverty.
5
4
3
4
3
Pension policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of preventing old-age poverty.
2
1
1
Pension policies are not at all aligned with the goal of preventing old-age poverty.
The current pension system is based on pension contributions paid to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), Poland’s pension authority. There has been a year-on-year reduction in the ratio of benefits to the average salary, declining from 58.1% in 2013 to 50.4% in 2022. The average pension in 2022 was PLN 2,767.47, a 9% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. However, this increase did not offset retirees’ expenses, which rose due to a year-over-year inflation rate that exceeded 18% in March 2023 (Markowski 2024).
The system supports citizens with additional benefits paid alongside or with the main benefit. These include programs for mothers with four or more children, for individuals with disabilities and for those unable to live independently.
Citations:
Markowski, Radoslaw. 2024. “Polish Election of 2023: Mobilization in Defence of Liberal Democracy.” West European Politics [forthcoming].
The system supports citizens with additional benefits paid alongside or with the main benefit. These include programs for mothers with four or more children, for individuals with disabilities and for those unable to live independently.
Citations:
Markowski, Radoslaw. 2024. “Polish Election of 2023: Mobilization in Defence of Liberal Democracy.” West European Politics [forthcoming].
To what extent does the current pension policy approach hinder or promote intergenerational equity?
10
9
9
Pension policies are fully aligned with the goal of achieving intergenerational equity.
8
7
6
7
6
Pension policies are largely aligned with the goal of achieving intergenerational equity.
5
4
3
4
3
Pension policies are only somewhat aligned with the goal of achieving intergenerational equity.
2
1
1
Pension policies are not at all aligned with the goal of achieving intergenerational equity.
In 2019, an additional benefit called the “13th pension” was introduced to the system, equal to the minimum pension amount. Starting in 2023, another additional benefit called the “14th pension” was paid, with its amount determined annually by the government. The payment of these additional benefits burdens the state budget, although the Solidarity Fund is formally responsible for the disbursement. This fund does not have its own independent source of revenue; rather, it borrows resources from the state.
The reduction in the official retirement age in Poland – one of the PiS’ priorities – has resulted in lower pensions, prompting the government to encourage people to work longer. According to average calculations, delaying retirement by one year translates into an 8% increase in the recipient’s pension benefits. Various assessments of the stability of the Polish Social Insurance Fund have been made. The fund may face financial problems in the future as the post-World War II baby boom generations reach retirement age, and as the demographic situation becomes unfavorable. However, the situation may improve due to immigration from Ukraine. On the other hand, according to the OECD (2023), the share of public pension and retirement expenditures in Poland’s GDP will remain stable, staying at around 10% in 2060.
Citations:
OECD. 2023. “Pensions at a Glance 2023: OECD and G20 Indicators.” Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/678055dd-en
The reduction in the official retirement age in Poland – one of the PiS’ priorities – has resulted in lower pensions, prompting the government to encourage people to work longer. According to average calculations, delaying retirement by one year translates into an 8% increase in the recipient’s pension benefits. Various assessments of the stability of the Polish Social Insurance Fund have been made. The fund may face financial problems in the future as the post-World War II baby boom generations reach retirement age, and as the demographic situation becomes unfavorable. However, the situation may improve due to immigration from Ukraine. On the other hand, according to the OECD (2023), the share of public pension and retirement expenditures in Poland’s GDP will remain stable, staying at around 10% in 2060.
Citations:
OECD. 2023. “Pensions at a Glance 2023: OECD and G20 Indicators.” Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/678055dd-en
Graph View
To what extent does the current policy approach hinder or facilitate the inclusion of migrants into society and the labor market?
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9
9
Integration policies are fully aligned with achieving the sustainable inclusion of migrants in society.
8
7
6
7
6
Integration policies are largely aligned with achieving the sustainable inclusion of migrants in society.
5
4
3
4
3
Integration policies are only somewhat aligned with achieving the sustainable inclusion of migrants in society.
2
1
1
Integration policies are not at all aligned with achieving the sustainable inclusion of migrants in society.
Poland, one of the most homogeneous countries in the EU, has recently shifted from a net- emigration to a net-immigration status. Its legal framework for migration is generally satisfactory, but the issue has become highly politicized, leading to policies that often do not address real challenges. The primary legal documents governing migration and asylum are the acts on Foreigners and on Granting Protection to Aliens. EU citizens, as well as those from Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, have unrestricted access to the labor market. In contrast, citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine require an employer’s declaration to work. Special permits are necessary for other nationalities. The government provides limited language assistance to migrants, allows family reunions after six months and permits naturalization after three years of legal residence.
Immigrants face challenges with regard to political participation, as they lack voting rights, except for EU citizens in local elections. Poland also lacks integration policies tailored to individual needs. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration is the main body responsible for migration policy, though the prime minister abolished the Department of Analysis and Migration Policy in August 2021.
Migration policy was a key issue for the conservative PiS government. In 2022, Poland faced an extended immigration crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border, with thousands of people attempting to enter the EU through Belarus, often with Belarusian assistance. Despite confirmed deaths, Polish border guards maintained pushbacks until a 186-kilometer wall was completed in the summer of 2022. Conversely, Poland welcomed 2 million people fleeing the war in Ukraine, with nearly 10 million crossings recorded after the Russian invasion in February 2022. The response was notably effective, involving public authorities, NGOs and individuals. Under the law of March 12, Ukrainians crossing the border after February 24, 2022, were granted residence and work permits, access to social benefits, and entry into educational institutions.
In 2023, immigration issues became an increasingly intense part of the public debate, with the government amplifying anti-immigrant rhetoric, and framing migration as an external threat to Polish identity and security. Two referendum questions related to border issues and the EU’s relocation mechanism. The Polish government opposed the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, arguing that it undermined Polish interests. Additionally, allegations of corruption in the issuance of visas by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Consular Service emerged in the summer of 2023. Relations with Ukraine also worsened, partly due to economic factors and internal political maneuvers. The new liberal coalition government that took office in mid-December 2023 is unlikely to make major regulatory changes but will need to address labor market needs and long-term pension system stability.
Citations:
Panara, M. 2023. “Poland’s ruling party ‘instrumentalizes’ migrants for electoral gain.” InfoMigrants https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/51180/polands-ruling-party-instrumentalizes-migrants-for-electoral-gain
https://interwencjaprawna.pl/en/seven-changes-to-the-migration-law-we-are-calling-on-the-new-government/
Immigrants face challenges with regard to political participation, as they lack voting rights, except for EU citizens in local elections. Poland also lacks integration policies tailored to individual needs. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration is the main body responsible for migration policy, though the prime minister abolished the Department of Analysis and Migration Policy in August 2021.
Migration policy was a key issue for the conservative PiS government. In 2022, Poland faced an extended immigration crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border, with thousands of people attempting to enter the EU through Belarus, often with Belarusian assistance. Despite confirmed deaths, Polish border guards maintained pushbacks until a 186-kilometer wall was completed in the summer of 2022. Conversely, Poland welcomed 2 million people fleeing the war in Ukraine, with nearly 10 million crossings recorded after the Russian invasion in February 2022. The response was notably effective, involving public authorities, NGOs and individuals. Under the law of March 12, Ukrainians crossing the border after February 24, 2022, were granted residence and work permits, access to social benefits, and entry into educational institutions.
In 2023, immigration issues became an increasingly intense part of the public debate, with the government amplifying anti-immigrant rhetoric, and framing migration as an external threat to Polish identity and security. Two referendum questions related to border issues and the EU’s relocation mechanism. The Polish government opposed the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, arguing that it undermined Polish interests. Additionally, allegations of corruption in the issuance of visas by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Consular Service emerged in the summer of 2023. Relations with Ukraine also worsened, partly due to economic factors and internal political maneuvers. The new liberal coalition government that took office in mid-December 2023 is unlikely to make major regulatory changes but will need to address labor market needs and long-term pension system stability.
Citations:
Panara, M. 2023. “Poland’s ruling party ‘instrumentalizes’ migrants for electoral gain.” InfoMigrants https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/51180/polands-ruling-party-instrumentalizes-migrants-for-electoral-gain
https://interwencjaprawna.pl/en/seven-changes-to-the-migration-law-we-are-calling-on-the-new-government/
Graph View
How committed is the government to helping build the capacity to reduce poverty and provide social protection in low- and middle-income countries?
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9
9
The government’s development cooperation strategy is fully aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
8
7
6
7
6
The government’s development cooperation strategy is largely aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
5
4
3
4
3
The government’s development cooperation strategy is only somewhat aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building in poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
2
1
1
The government’s development cooperation strategy is not all aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
Over the last two decades, Poland has transitioned from being a recipient country (through 2004) to a donor country, joining the OECD Development Assistance Committee in 2013. The country’s framework document for international assistance is the Multiannual Development Cooperation Program 2021 - 2030 – Solidarity for Development (Rada Ministrów 2021), which is the third of its kind. The program is aligned with the thematic priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The long-term aim is to systematically increase financial expenditures for development cooperation to 0.33% of gross national income by 2030, up from its current level of around 0.15%. The geographical focus includes 10 countries: four Eastern Partnership countries (Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine), four sub-Saharan countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania) and two Middle Eastern geographies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published development cooperation plans in 2022 and 2023. Poland’s humanitarian assistance was primarily channeled through contributions to international institutions (EU-ECHO, UN) or programs like the Economic Resilience Initiative Fund, a financial tool for the European Union’s Southern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans. The second channel of support involves providing financial assistance to Polish non-governmental humanitarian organizations (such as Polska Akcja Humanitarna, Fundacja Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej, Polska Misja Medyczna and Caritas Polska).
Under the Development Cooperation Act of September 16, 2011, Poland’s development assistance, administered by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required to undergo evaluation. However, from 2020 to 2021, projects were not monitored due to the pandemic. In 2022, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs examined activities in 21 projects, including humanitarian, developmental and global education initiatives. The assessment involved an evaluation sheet; visits to sites in Georgia, Lebanon, Palestine, Ethiopia and Senegal; and the examination of several projects carried out in Poland, such as a global education project and activities for Ukrainian refugees.
Between 2022 and 2023, most Polish development and humanitarian activities focused on aiding Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. In 2022, the number of refugees – mostly women and children –exceeded 2 million, putting significant pressure on national and local Polish institutions. Since February 2022, Poland has also become the main hub through which over 80% of EU aid for Ukraine has passed. In May 2022, the International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine, held in Warsaw, pledged support amounting to $6.5 billion. That same year, Poland’s official development assistance (ODA) reached a record level of over PLN 15.8 billion, constituting 0.53% of the country’s gross national income.
Poland has been actively engaged in medical solidarity. It shared its COVID-19 vaccine surplus, amounting to approximately 28 million doses, with countries in need including Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kenya, and Ukraine. Additionally, on December 13, 2021, Poland was appointed the coordinating country for facilitating the delivery of vaccines from EU member states to the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych, 2023).
Citations:
Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych. 2023. “Polska Współpraca Rozwojowa 2022.” Warszawa: https://www.gov.pl/web/polskapomoc/raport-roczny-2022
Rada Ministrów. 2021. “Wieloletni program współpracy rozwojowej 2021–2030.” Solidarność dla rozwoju. Załącznik do Uchwały nr 11/2021 Rady Ministrów z dnia 19 stycznia 2021 r.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published development cooperation plans in 2022 and 2023. Poland’s humanitarian assistance was primarily channeled through contributions to international institutions (EU-ECHO, UN) or programs like the Economic Resilience Initiative Fund, a financial tool for the European Union’s Southern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans. The second channel of support involves providing financial assistance to Polish non-governmental humanitarian organizations (such as Polska Akcja Humanitarna, Fundacja Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej, Polska Misja Medyczna and Caritas Polska).
Under the Development Cooperation Act of September 16, 2011, Poland’s development assistance, administered by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required to undergo evaluation. However, from 2020 to 2021, projects were not monitored due to the pandemic. In 2022, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs examined activities in 21 projects, including humanitarian, developmental and global education initiatives. The assessment involved an evaluation sheet; visits to sites in Georgia, Lebanon, Palestine, Ethiopia and Senegal; and the examination of several projects carried out in Poland, such as a global education project and activities for Ukrainian refugees.
Between 2022 and 2023, most Polish development and humanitarian activities focused on aiding Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. In 2022, the number of refugees – mostly women and children –exceeded 2 million, putting significant pressure on national and local Polish institutions. Since February 2022, Poland has also become the main hub through which over 80% of EU aid for Ukraine has passed. In May 2022, the International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine, held in Warsaw, pledged support amounting to $6.5 billion. That same year, Poland’s official development assistance (ODA) reached a record level of over PLN 15.8 billion, constituting 0.53% of the country’s gross national income.
Poland has been actively engaged in medical solidarity. It shared its COVID-19 vaccine surplus, amounting to approximately 28 million doses, with countries in need including Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kenya, and Ukraine. Additionally, on December 13, 2021, Poland was appointed the coordinating country for facilitating the delivery of vaccines from EU member states to the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych, 2023).
Citations:
Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych. 2023. “Polska Współpraca Rozwojowa 2022.” Warszawa: https://www.gov.pl/web/polskapomoc/raport-roczny-2022
Rada Ministrów. 2021. “Wieloletni program współpracy rozwojowej 2021–2030.” Solidarność dla rozwoju. Załącznik do Uchwały nr 11/2021 Rady Ministrów z dnia 19 stycznia 2021 r.