Economy of Poland

Economy of Poland

Warsaw
Currency	1 złoty (PLN) = 100 groszy
Fiscal year	Calendar year
Trade organisations	EU, WTO and OECD
Statistics
GDP	467 billion (nominal, 2015)[1] $1.114 trillion (PPP, 2017 est.)[2]
GDP rank	23rd (PPP, 2017 est.)[3]
GDP growth	2.8% (2016e), 3.3% (2017f), 3.2% (2018f), 3.2% (2019f)[4]
GDP per capita	$29,300 (PPP, 2017 est.)
GDP by sector	agriculture: 3.5%; industry: 34.2%; services: 62.3% (2012)
Inflation (CPI)	0.7% (CPI, 2014)[5]
Gini coefficient	29.8 (2014)
Labour force	17.92 million (2012)
Labour force by occupation	agriculture: 11.5%; industry: 30.4%; services: 57.8% (2015)
Unemployment	5.4% (Eurostat, January 2017)[6]
Average gross salary	€975.96/$1,320, monthly (2014)[7]
Main industries	machine building, iron and steel, mining coal, chemicals, ship building, food processing, glass
Ease-of-doing-business rank	24th (DB 2017 Rank)[8]
External
Exports	€176.72 billion (2016)
Export goods	machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% (2011)
Main export partners	Germany 27.1%  United Kingdom 6.7%  Czech Republic 6.6%  France 5.5%  Italy 4.8%  Netherlands 4.4%
Imports	€174.80 billion (2016)
Import goods	machinery and transport equipment 38.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 21.0%, chemicals 15.0%, minerals, fuels, lubricants and related materials 12.6%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 9.0% (2011)
Main import partners	Germany 22.9%,  China 11.6%  Russia 7.3%  Italy 5.4%  Netherlands 3.8%  France 3.8%
FDI stock	$194.9 (31 December 2012 est.)
Gross external debt	$326 billion (20 January 2014)
Public finances
Public debt	47.1% of GDP (20 January 2014)
Revenues	$89.47 billion (2012 est.)
Expenses	$99.54 billion (2012 est.)
Economic aid	$137 billion EU structural funds (2007–13) $142 billion EU structural funds (2014–20)[9]
Credit rating	A (Domestic) A- (Foreign) A+ (T&C Assessment) (Standard & Poor's)[10] Moody's:[11] A2 Outlook: Stable Fitch:[11] A- Outlook: Stable
Foreign reserves	US$97.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Main data source: CIA World Fact Book All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars.

The economy of Poland is the sixth largest economy in the European Union,^[12] and the largest among the former Eastern Bloc members of the European Union.^[13] Since 1990 Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization and its economy was the only one in the EU to avoid a recession through the 2008-2009 economic downturn. In all, as of 2017 the Polish economy has been growing steadily for the past 26 years, a record high in the EU. Such growth has been exponential, with GDP per capita at purchasing power parity growing on average by 6% p.a. over the last 20 years, the most impressive performance in Central Europe.^[14]

Poland is ranked 20th worldwide in terms of GDP and classified as high-income economy by World Bank. The largest component of its economy is the service sector (62.3.%), followed by industry (34.2%) and agriculture (3.5%). With the economic reform of 1989 the Polish external debt increased from $42.2 billion in 1989^[15][16] to $365.2 billion in 2014. Poland shipped US$198.2 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2015, up by 5.4% since 2011 and down 7.6% from 2014 to 2015. The top Polish exports include machinery, electronic equipment, vehicles, furniture, and plastics.

According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, in 2010 the Polish economic growth rate was 3.9%, which was one of the best results in Europe. In 2014 its economy grew by 3.3% and in 2015 by 3.6%.^[17] Although in 2016 economic growth sharply slowed,^[18] government stimulus measures combined with a tighter labour market in late 2016 kick-started new growth.^[17]

History

Poland has seen the largest increase in GDP per capita (more than 100%) both among the former Soviet-bloc countries, and compared to the EU-15 (around 45%).^[19] It has had uninterrupted economic growth since 1992, even after the 2007 financial crisis.^[19]

Before 1989

This article discusses the economy of the current Poland, post-1989. For historical overview of past Polish economies, see:

• Economy of the People's Republic of Poland (1945–1989)
• Economy of the Second Polish Republic (1918–1939)
• Economy of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1795)

1990-2009

The Polish state steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization throughout the 1990s, with positive results for economic growth but negative results for some sectors of the population.^[20] The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged the development of the private business sector, which has been the main drive for Poland's economic growth. The agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and a lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g. coal), has also been slow, but recent foreign investments in energy and steel have begun to turn the tide. Recent reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Improving this account deficit and tightening monetary policy, with focus on inflation, are priorities for the Polish government. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on the reduction of public sector employment, and an overhaul of the tax code to incorporate farmers, who currently pay significantly lower taxes than other people with similar income levels.

Since the 2009 financial crisis

Since the global recession of 2009, Poland's GDP continued to grow. In 2009, at the high point of the crisis, the GDP for the European Union as a whole dropped by 4.5% while Polish GDP increased by 1.6%.^[21] As of November 2013, the size of EU's economy remains below the pre-crisis level, while Poland's economy increased by a cumulative 16%.^[21] The major reasons for its success appear to be a large internal market (in terms of population is sixth in EU) and a business friendly political climate. The economic reforms implemented after the fall of socialism in the 1990s have also played a role; between 1989 and 2007 Poland's economy grew by 177%, faster than other countries in Eastern and Central Europe, while at the same time millions were left without work.^[21]

Another factor which allowed the Polish economy to avoid the financial crisis was its low level of public debt, at about 50% of GDP, below the EU average (around 90%).^[21] Strict financial regulation also helped to keep household and corporate debt low. Furthermore, unlike many other European countries, Poland did not implement austerity but rather boosted domestic demand through Keynesian policy of tax cut, and foreign-assistance funded public spending.^[21] An additional reason for its success lay in the fact that Poland is outside the Euro zone. The depreciation of the currency, the złoty, increased international competitiveness and boosted the value of Poland's exports (in złotys).^[21]

However, the economic fluctuations of the business cycle did affect Poland's unemployment rate, which by early 2013 reached almost 11%. This level was still below European average and has begun falling subsequently.^[21] As of February 2014, Poland's unemployment rate stood at 7% according to Eurostat.^[22]

Labour market and wages

Unemployment in Poland appeared after the fall of socialism, although the economy previously had high levels of hidden unemployment. The unemployment rate then fell to 10% by the late 1990s and then increased again in the first few years of the 21st century, reaching a peak of 20% in 2002. It has since decreased, although unevenly. Since 2008 the unemployment rate in Poland has consistently been below European average.^[23]

The rate fell below 8% in 2015,^[24] leading to the possibility of a labor deficit.^[25]

Foreign trade and FDI

With the collapse of the rouble-based COMECON trading bloc in 1991, Poland reoriented its trade. As early as 1996, 70% of its trade was with EU members. Neighboring Germany is Poland's main trading partner today. Poland joined the European Union in May 2004. Before that, it fostered regional integration and trade through the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), which included Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Poland is a founding member of the World Trade Organization.^[26] As a member of the European Union, it applies the common external tariff to goods from other countries including the United States. Poland's Major imports are capital goods needed for industrial retooling and for manufacturing inputs. The country's exports also include machinery, but are highly diversified. The most successful exports are furniture, foods,^[27] motor boats, light planes, hardwood products, casual clothing, shoes and cosmetics.^[28] Germany is by far the biggest importer of Poland's exports as of 2013.^[29] In the agricultural sector, the biggest money-makers abroad include smoked and fresh fish, fine chocolate, and dairy products, meats and specialty breads,^[30] with the exchange rate conducive to export growth.^[31] Food exports amounted to 62 billion złoty in 2011, increasing by 17% from 2010.^[32] Most Polish exports to the U.S. receive tariff benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.

Poland is less dependent on external trade than most other Central and Eastern European countries, but its volume of trade with Europe is still substantial. In 2011 the volume of trade (exports plus imports) with the Euro area as share of GDP was 40%, a doubling from the mid 1990s. 30% of Poland's exports are to Germany and another 30% to the rest of Europe. There has been substantial increase in Poland's exports to Russia.^[33] However, in August 2014, exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia fell dramatically following its politically motivated ban by Moscow.^[34]

Foreign direct investment (FDI) was at 40% of GDP in 2010, a doubling over the level in 2000. Most FDI into Poland comes from France, Germany and Netherlands. Polish firms in turn have foreign investments primarily in Italy and Luxembourg. Most of the internal FDI is in manufacturing, which makes it susceptible to economic fluctuations in the source countries.^[33]

The UAE has become Poland's largest trading partner in the Arab world, Roman Chalaczkiewicz, Polish Ambassador to the UAE, told Gulf News.^[35]

Polish law is rather favourable to foreign entrepreneurs. The government offers investors various forms of state aid, such as: CIT tax at the level of 19% and investment incentives in 14 Special Economic Zones (among others: income tax exemption, real estate tax exemption, competitive land prices), several industrial and technology parks, the possibility to benefit from the EU structural funds, brownfield and greenfield locations. According to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) the level of FDI inflow into Poland in 2006 amounted to €13.9 billion.

According to an Ernst & Young report, Poland ranks 7th in the world in terms of investment attractiveness. However, Ernst & Young's 2010 European attractiveness survey reported that Poland saw a 52% decrease in FDI job creation and a 42% decrease in number of FDI projects since 2008.^[36] According to the OECD (www.oecd.org) report, in 2004 Poles were one of the hardest working nations in Europe. Yet, the ability to establish and conduct business easily has been cause for economic hardship; the 2010 the World Economic Forum ranked Poland near the bottom of OECD countries in terms of the clarity, efficiency and neutrality of the legal framework used by firms to settle disputes.^[37]

Sectors

Primary

Production industries

Before World War II, Poland's industrial base was concentrated in the coal, textile, chemical, machinery, iron, and steel sectors. Today it extends to fertilizers, petrochemicals, machine tools, electrical machinery, electronics, car manufacture and shipbuilding.

Poland's industrial base suffered greatly during World War II, and many resources were directed toward reconstruction. The socialist economic system imposed in the late 1940s created large and unwieldy economic structures^[39] operated under a tight central command. In part because of this systemic rigidity, the economy performed poorly even in comparison with other economies in Central Europe.^[39]

In 1990, the Mazowiecki government began a comprehensive reform programme to replace the centralised command economy with a market-oriented system. While the results overall have been impressive, many large state-owned industrial enterprises, particularly the rail, mining, steel, and defence sectors, have remained resistant to change and the downsizing required to survive in a market-based economy.^[39]

Energy

Pharmaceutics

The total value of the Polish pharmacy market in 2008 was PLN 24.1bn, 11.5% more than in 2007.

The non-prescription medicines market, which accounts for about one-third of the total market value, was worth PLN 7.5bn in 2008. This value includes drugs and non-drugs such as dietary supplements, cosmetics, dressings, dental materials, diagnostic tests and medical devices. The prescription medicines market was worth PLN 15.8bn.^[40]

Secondary

Agriculture

Agriculture employs 12.7% of the work force but contributes 3.8% to the gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting relatively low productivity. Unlike the industrial sector, Poland's agricultural sector remained largely in private hands during the decades of real socialist rule. Most of the former state farms are now leased to farmer tenants. Lack of credit is hampering efforts to sell former state farmland. Currently, Poland's 2 million private farms occupy 90% of all farmland and account for roughly the same percentage of total agricultural production. Farms are small—8 hectares on average—and often fragmented. Farms with an area exceeding 15 ha accounted for 9% of the total number of farms but cover 45% of total agricultural area. Over half of all farm households in Poland produce only for their own needs with little, if any, commercial sales.

Poland is a net exporter of processed fruit and vegetables, meat, and dairy products. Processors often rely on imports to supplement domestic supplies of wheat, feed grains, vegetable oil, and protein meals, which are generally insufficient to meet domestic demand. However, Poland is the leading EU producer of potatoes and rye and is one of the world's largest producers of sugar beets and triticale. Poland also is a significant producer of rapeseed, grains, hogs, and cattle. Poland is the sixth largest producer and exporter of apples in the entire world.^[41]

Mining

Historically, mining industry in Poland had been extensive, particularly in Silesia.

Tertiary

Financial

The Polish banking sector is regulated by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (PFSA).

While transforming the country to a market-oriented economy during 1992–97, the government privatized some banks, recapitalized the rest and introduced legal reforms that made the sector competitive. These reforms, and the health and relative stability of the sector, attracted a number of strategic foreign investors. At the beginning of 2009, Poland's banking sector had 51 domestic banks, a network of 578 cooperative banks and 18 branches of foreign-owned banks. In addition, foreign investors had controlling stakes in nearly 40 commercial banks, which made up 68% of the banking capital.^[42] Banks in Poland reacted to the financial crisis of 2009 by restraining lending, raising interest rates, and strengthening balance sheets. Subsequently, the sector started lending again, with an increase of more than 4% expected in 2011.

Major Polish companies

Selection from the list of 500 largest companies in Poland compiled by magazine Polityka.^[43]

PKO Bank Polski – banking PKN Orlen – petrochemicals Platige Image - computer graphics and special effects PZU – insurance Autosan - bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach – bus and tram manufacturing Newag – train and tram manufacturing PESA – train and tram manufacturing Allegro – retail and online auctions Techland - computer games E.Wedel – chocolate goods Nobile – sport/kite boarding 4F (pl) – sports equipment LPP – clothing Vistula Group (pl) – clothing CD Projekt – video game distribution and development PLAY – telecommunications Ursus – agricultural tractors CI Games - computer games Orange Polska – telecommunications Netia – telecommunications Black Red White – furniture Alma Market – retail PSE-Operator – national power grid operator PGNiG – oil and gas Polsat – media Agora SA – media Nowy Styl Group - office furniture manufacturer Maspex – food manufacturing Delphia Yachts - yacht manufacturer Inglot - beauty, cosmetics Eris – beauty, cosmetics Apart – jewelry Grycan - Ice cream company

Orbis – hotels Asseco – IT KGHM Polska Miedź – copper mining Kompania Węglowa – coal mining Echo Investment – real estate development Pekaes – logistics Tymbark – food manufacturing Polferries – transport Grupa Lotos – petrochemicals Arge Paliwa – petrochemicals Polish State Railways (PKP) – national railway Poczta Polska – national post Cersanit – ceramic goods TVN – media Globe Trade Centre – real estate development Elektrim – diversified utilities, mobile phone service Arrinera – automotive Ericpol - IT Volkswagen Poznań – automotive Fiat Poland – Polish branch of Fiat Group (former FSM), builds Panda, Fiat Nuova 500 and Fiat 600 General Motors Poland – automotive Warsaw Stock Exchange Comarch – IT Tauron Group - electricity distribution Boryszew - automotive industry Amica Wronki SA – engineering industry Maflow – automotive component manufacturing Polar – home appliances Mastercook – home appliances PMR Ltd – B2B market research, business consultancy Metro Group Poland – retail Zortrax - 3D printing Grupa Azoty – chemical manufacturing[43]

Currency

Production and sales data

Retail sales in Poland^[44]

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Total retail sales (PLN bn)	361.8	376.5	385.3	401.4	433.5	433.3	464.5	515.7	564.7	582.8	593

Investment (gross fixed): 18.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

• lowest 10%: 3.2%
• highest 10%: 24.7% (1998)

Distribution of family income – Gini index: 30.6 (2004)

Agriculture – products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat, poultry, eggs, pork

Industrial production growth rate: 17.8% (2006)

Electricity:

• production: 150.8 TWh (2004)
• consumption: 121.3 TWh (2004)
• exports: 15.2 TWh (2004)
• imports: 5.0 TWh (2004)

Electricity – production by source:

• fossil fuel: 95.1%
• hydro: 4.5%
• other: 0.4% (2001)
• nuclear: 0%

Oil:

• production: 17,180 barrels per day (2,731 m³/d) (2001 est.)
• consumption: 424,100 barrels per day (67,430 m³/d) (2001 est.)
• exports: 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m³/d) (2001)
• imports: 413,700 barrels per day (65,770 m³/d) (2001)
• proved reserves: 116,400,000 barrels (18,510,000 m³) (1 January 2002)

Natural gas:

• production: 5.471 billion m³ (2001 est.)
• consumption: 13.85 billion m³ (2001 est.)
• exports: 41 million m³ (2001 est.)
• imports: 8.782 billion m³ (2001 est.)
• proved reserves: 154.4 billion m³ (1 January 2002)

Households with access to fixed and mobile telephone access^[45]

• landline telephone – 52% (2009)
• mobile telephone – 85% (2009)

Broadband penetration rate^[45]

• fixed broadband- 13.5% (2010)
• mobile broadband- 4.3% (2010)

Individuals using computer and internet^[45]

• computer – 63% (2009)
• internet – 59% (2009)

Exports – commodities: machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% (2003)

Imports – commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9.1% (2003)

Currency exchange rates:

• Złoty per US dollar – 2.96 (Dec 2010),^[46] 2.92 (Sep 2010), 2.94 (Apr 2010), 3.25 (Apr 2009), 2.17 (Apr 2008), 2.51 (Nov 2007), 2.66 (Oct 2006) 3.15 (Jun 2006) 3.7 (2004), 3.8891 (2003), 4.08 (2002), 4.0939 (2001), 4.3461 (2000).
• Złoty per Euro – 3.96 (Dec 2010),^[46] 3.44 (Apr 2008), 3.64 (Nov 2007), 3.96 (Aug 2006), 4.77 (Jun 2004).

Unemployment:

• July 2008 – 7.3%
• November 2010 – 11.7%^[46]

Average gross monthly pay: 3403.07 PLN (~€830) (~$1202) December 2009

Budget and debt

The public and private debt levels of Poland are below the European average (2015).^[19]

Polish state budget expenditure by division (2008):

Division	Spending (in mln zl)	% of total budget
Total	277,893	100
Compulsory social security	64,050	23
Public debt servicing	25,117	9
Social assistance	18,331	6.6
National defence	13,812	5
Public safety and fire care	12,517	4.5
Higher education	11,091	4
Public administration	10,161	3.7
Administration of justice	9,090	3.3
Health care	6,692	2.4
Education	2,200	0.8
Dwelling economy	1,541	0.6
Culture and national heritage	1,487	0.5
Physical education and sport	0,583	0.2
Other (no specific category)	101,221	36.4

Total income (mln zl)	Total expenditure (mln zl)	Total Deficit (mln zl)
253,547	277,893	24,346

Source: Concise Statistical Yearbook of Poland (2008/9)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $70.08 billion (2004 est.)

State Treasury Debt – foreign: $55.4 billion (2008 est.)

Current account balance: $−6.7 billion [−1.5% of GDP] (2009 est.)

GDP growth in Poland

Recent GDP growth (comparing to the same quarter of previous year):^[47]

Year	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
2014	3.4%	3.5%	3.3%	3.1%
2013	0.8%	1.2%	1.7%	2.3%
2012	3.6%	2.2%	1.6%	0.8%
2011	4.5%	4.3%	4.2%	4.5%
2010	3.0%	3.5%	4.2%	4.3%
2009	0.8%	1.2%	1.8%	3.3%
2008	6.1%	6.0%	5.0%	3.0%
2007	7.4%	6.5%	6.5%	6.5%
2006	5.4%	6.3%	6.6%	6.6%
2005	2.1%	2.7%	3.7%	4.3%
2004	7.0%	6.1%	4.8%	4.9%
2003	2.2%	3.8%	4.7%	4.7%

Historical annual data^[48]

• Total 1991 −7.0%
• Total 1992 2.6%
• Total 1993 3.8%
• Total 1994 5.2%
• Total 1995 7.0%
• Total 1996 6.2%
• Total 1997 7.1%
• Total 1998 5.0%
• Total 1999 4.5%
• Total 2000 4.3%
• Total 2001 1.2%
• Total 2002 1.4%
• Total 2003 3.9%
• Total 2004 5.3%
• Total 2005 3.6%
• Total 2006 6.2%
• Total 2007 6.8%
• Total 2008 5.1%
• Total 2009 1.7%
• Total 2010 3.9%
• Total 2011 4.3%
• Total 2012 2.0%
• Total 2013 1.6%

See also

• List of Polish voivodeships by GDP per capita
• Poland A and B
• Poverty in Poland
• Taxation in Poland

External links

• www.paiz.gov.pl
• Attractiveness Europe 2007
• The Polish economy in 2007 on YouTube
• Articles on Polish economy in Central and Eastern European Packaging magazine
• OECD's Poland country Web site and OECD Economic Survey of Poland
• Business Portal for Poland
• World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Poland
• Tariffs applied by Poland as provided by ITC's Market Access Map, an online database of customs tariffs and market requirements

References

• Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economics, Volume 4 – Europe, Gale Group, 2002, ISBN 0-7876-4955-4
• Economic data from Eastern European Markets (ceeMarket.com)