Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and Poland's economy was the only one in the EU 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 and adopting 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 and 2013, in part due to the ongoing economic difficulties in the euro zone. Short-term, the key policy challenge will be to consolidate debt and spending without stifling economic growth. Over the longer term, Poland's economic performance could improve if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure, business environment, rigid labor code, commercial court system, government red tape, and burdensome tax system.
$814 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$803.3 billion (2012 est.)
$788.6 billion (2011 est.)
1.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
1.9% (2012 est.)
4.5% (2011 est.)
$21,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$20,800 (2012 est.)
$20,500 (2011 est.)
agriculture: 4%
industry: 33.3%
services: 62.7% (2013 est.)
10.6% (2008 est.)
1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
3.7% (2012 est.)
18.22 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
agriculture: 12.9%
industry: 30.2%
services: 57% (2010)
10.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109 10.1% (2012 est.)
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
5.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
