Poland (Republic of Poland)

https://www.humantruth.info/poland.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Poland Republic of Poland
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	35th best
Capital	Warsaw
Land Area	304 150km²₁
Location	Europe
Population	37.9m₂
Life Expectancy	76.46yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$33 034 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	PL, POL, 616₅
Internet Domain	.pl₆
Currency	Zloty (PLN)₇
Telephone	+48₈

1. Overview

#germany #poland #russia

“Poland's history as a state begins near the middle of the 10th century. By the mid-16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force with over ten million members. Free elections in 1989 and 1990 won Solidarity control of the parliament and the presidency, bringing the Communist era to a close. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Chic medieval hot spots like Kraków and Gdansk vie with energetic Warsaw for your urban attention. Outside the cities, forests, rivers, lakes and hills beckon for some fresh-air fun. If they were handing out prizes for `most eventful history´, Poland would be sure to get a medal. The nation has spent centuries at the pointy end of history, grappling with war and invasion. Nothing, however, has succeeded in suppressing the Poles´ strong cultural identity. As a result, centres such as bustling Warsaw and cultured Kraków exude a sophisticated energy that´s a heady mix of old and new.
Away from the cities, Poland offers a diverse range of experiences, from swimming on its Baltic Sea beaches to skiing or hiking in its magnificent mountains. Everywhere in between are towns and cities dotted with ruined castles, picturesque squares, colourful houses and historic churches.Although prices are slowly rising as its economy gathers momentum, Poland is still good value for travellers year-round. As the Polish people work on combining their national identity with their place in Europe, it´s a fascinating time to visit this beautiful country.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Poland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
31	Estonia	0.890
32	Czechia	0.889
33	Greece	0.887
34	Poland	0.876
35=	Saudi Arabia	0.875
35=	Bahrain	0.875
35=	Lithuania	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
39	Estonia	$38 048
40	Lithuania	$37 931
41	Portugal	$33 155
42	Poland	$33 034
43	Latvia	$32 803
44	Hungary	$32 789
45	Turkey	$31 033
46	Slovakia	$30 690
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	31.1
3	Sweden	33.2
	...
32	Costa Rica	55.8
33	Hungary	56.4
34	Cyprus	56.5
35	Poland	57.1
36	Greece	58.6
37	San Marino	59.0
38	Chile	59.4
39	Latvia	60.1
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	89.3
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Poland's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Poland's population is predicted to fall to 37 835 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.26. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
34	Algeria	42.2m
35	Sudan	41.8m
36	Iraq	38.4m
37	Poland	37.9m
38	Afghanistan	37.2m
39	Canada	37.1m
40	Morocco	36.0m
41	Saudi Arabia	33.7m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
48	Costa Rica	77.0
49	Saudi Arabia	76.9
50	Albania	76.5
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
54	Montenegro	76.3
55	Panama	76.2
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
126	Philippines	2.73
127	Lithuania	1.27
128	Ukraine	1.27
129	Poland	1.26
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
157	Lithuania	36.0
158	Czechia	36.1
159	Cuba	36.2
160	Poland	36.3
161	Singapore	36.5
162	Latvia	36.7
163=	Sweden	37.0
163=	Bulgaria	37.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
135	Albania	1.8%
136	Pakistan	1.7%
137	Nepal	1.7%
138	Poland	1.7%
139	Senegal	1.7%
140	Comoros	1.5%
141	Fiji	1.5%
142	Ghana	1.4%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
76	Somalia	8.7%
77	Kuwait	8.5%
78	Ecuador	8.3%
79	Poland	8.3%
80	Afghanistan	8.1%
81	Paraguay	7.9%
82	Russia	7.9%
83	Mali	7.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #Poland #poland_freedom #politics #prejudice #the_dark_ages #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
30	Taiwan	43.7
31	Lithuania	44.7
32	Chile	47.9
33	Poland	48.0
34	S. Korea	48.5
35	Latvia	49.4
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

Poland does relatively well in ensuring human rights and freedom, compared to many other countries. Poland does better than average for supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₁₉, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₀ (but bad for Europe), the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₁ (but high for Europe), its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₂, supporting press freedom₂₃, opposing gender inequality₂₄, LGBT equality₂₅, its average Freedom in the World rating and in eliminating modern slavery₂₆. But, there's bad news too. Poland does worse than average for its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₇ (one of the highest in Europe) and in freethought₂₈. Human Rights Watch sounded warnings that in 2017 Poland "continued to undermine the rule of law and human rights protection during the year"₂₉. Poland is Europe's most Catholic country and has the region's most restrictive abortion laws in Europe₃₀ but in 2017 made access to emergency contraception even more limited₃₀, as part of its overall commitment to making family planning impossible, even in cases of extreme poverty. Such religious-based doctrine should only be accepted voluntarily by believers, not be forced upon the populace as a whole.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Poland

5. Poland's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #poland #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)₃₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₁
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
32	Montenegro	63.8
33	Estonia	67.8
34	Macedonia	70.4
35	Poland	70.8
36	Albania	71.4
37	Hungary	71.6
38	Slovakia	72.6
39	Serbia	72.7
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	75.0
	Europe Avg	86.9
q=52.

Health (2025)₃₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₁
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
59	Israel	70.2
60	Macedonia	70.4
61	Qatar	70.7
62	Poland	70.8
63=	French Polynesia	70.9
63=	Puerto Rico	70.9
65	Barbados	71.0
66	Albania	71.4
	World Avg	96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₂. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₂.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₂, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₂.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Poland has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Poland does better than average for its adolescent birth rate₃₃, its immunizations take-up₃₄, its average life expectancy₁₁ (but bad for Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅ (but high for Europe). Poland does not succeed in everything, however. Poland does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₆, its fertility rate₁₄ (amongst the worst in Europe) and in its smoking rate₃₇. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 for its alcohol consumption rate₃₈. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Poland improved by +7.2yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Poland's peak fertility rate was 2.98 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
48	Costa Rica	77.0
49	Saudi Arabia	76.9
50	Albania	76.5
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
54	Montenegro	76.3
55	Panama	76.2
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₈
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
170=	Switzerland	11.5
171	Austria	11.6
172=	Estonia	11.6
172=	Poland	11.6
174	Russia	11.7
175	Seychelles	12.0
176	Belgium	12.1
177	Portugal	12.3
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
126	Philippines	2.73
127	Lithuania	1.27
128	Ukraine	1.27
129	Poland	1.26
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2014₃₇
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
145	Cuba	1 392
146	Saudi Arabia	1 395
147	Netherlands	1 396
148	Poland	1 396
149	Italy	1 443
150	Germany	1 480
151	Bulgaria	1 505
152	Kuwait	1 517
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate₃₆
Pos.		2013 Per 100k₃₆
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
67	Czechia	28.3
68	Suriname	28.7
69	Hong Kong	29.7
70	Poland	30.5
71	Austria	30.9
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
76	Malta	76
77	Guatemala	77
78	Sri Lanka	78
79	Poland	79
80	Uruguay	80
81	Dominican Rep.	81
82	Zambia	82
83	Croatia	83
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2016 %₃₉
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
121	Macedonia	58.1
122	Nicaragua	58.2
123=	Norway	58.3
123=	Poland	58.3
125	Ukraine	58.4
126=	Cuba	58.5
126=	Italy	58.5
128	Luxembourg	58.7
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₃
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
38	Greece	8.3
39	Bahrain	8.7
40	Malaysia	9.1
41	Poland	9.2
42	Czechia	9.4
43	Bosnia & Herzegovina	9.4
44	France	9.4
45	Brunei	9.5
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₄
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₄
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
39=	Jordan	96.6
39=	Brunei	96.6
41	Spain	96.5
42	Poland	96.5
43	Libya	96.4
44	St Kitts & Nevis	96.3
45	Bahamas	96.2
46	Maldives	96.2
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Poland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #poland #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
1	Italy	55.1
2	Switzerland	56.4
3	Denmark	59.4
	...
27	Slovakia	93.5
28	Sweden	93.5
29	Belgium	93.8
30	Poland	94.3
31	Croatia	95.4
32	Lithuania	95.8
33	Czechia	98.4
34	Malta	99.7
35	Moldova	101.2
	Europe Avg	86.4
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
1	Sri Lanka	37.6
2	Burundi	42.9
3	Philippines	46.2
	...
115	Sweden	93.5
116	Belgium	93.8
117	S. Korea	94.3
118	Poland	94.3
119	Honduras	94.6
120	Nicaragua	94.9
121	Botswana	95.1
122	Croatia	95.4
	World Avg	86.3
q=184.

Poland ranks 118th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Poland does better than average in its score on the Green Future Index₄₁ (but low for Europe), its environmental performance₄₂ (but low for Europe), its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃ and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₄. Poland doesn't do so well in other areas. Poland does worse than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₆ (amongst the highest in Europe).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₃
Pos.		Total₄₃
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
49	Tunisia	5.2%
50	Swaziland	5.1%
51	Thailand	4.7%
52	Poland	4.6%
53	Macedonia	4.6%
54	Palau	4.6%
55	Bhutan	4.5%
56	Morocco	4.2%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2018₄₂
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
47	Uruguay	64.7
48	Estonia	64.3
49	Singapore	64.2
50	Poland	64.1
51	Venezuela	63.9
52	Russia	63.8
53	Brunei	63.6
54	Morocco	63.5
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better₄₄
Pos.		2022 Avg₄₄
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
74	Peru	0.99
75	Croatia	1.00
76	Hungary	1.01
77	Poland	1.01
78	Montenegro	1.03
79	Lesotho	1.03
80	Mauritius	1.03
81	Macedonia	1.04
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

From the 1980s to the 1990s, Poland was one of only 7 countries that improved its energy-to-GDP efficiency by more than 1.0.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
137	Singapore	1996 Mar 20
138	Syria	1996 Apr 03
139	Suriname	1996 Apr 11
140	Poland	1996 Apr 17
141	Lithuania	1996 May 01
142	Yemen	1996 May 21
143	Niue	1996 May 28
144	Madagascar	1996 Jun 02
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		2011 %₄₅
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
112	Iraq	24.9%
113	Sweden	24.3%
114	New Zealand	24.2%
115	Poland	23.8%
116	Belarus	23.7%
117	Afghanistan	23.6%
118	Russia	23.5%
119	Algeria	23.5%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₆
Pos.		2021 kg₄₆
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
163	New Caledonia	87.5
164	Montenegro	88.4
165	Belarus	88.9
166	Poland	89.3
167	St Lucia	89.6
168	Taiwan	89.8
169	Croatia	90.8
170	French Polynesia	92.5
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Poland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₆

Green Future Index Higher is better₄₁
Pos.		2023 Score₄₁
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
18	Portugal	5.5
19	USA	5.4
20=	Switzerland	5.4
20=	Poland	5.4
22	Austria	5.4
23	Bulgaria	5.3
24	Costa Rica	5.3
25	S. Africa	5.2
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Poland's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
18	Spain	30.0
19	Latvia	30.3
20	Lithuania	31.4
21	Poland	33.2
22	Luxembourg	33.9
23	Italy	34.0
24	Portugal	34.4
25	Greece	36.3
26	Slovakia	42.9
	Europe Avg	39.8
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
26	Latvia	30.3
27	Hong Kong	31.2
28	Lithuania	31.4
29	Poland	33.2
30	Luxembourg	33.9
31	Italy	34.0
32	Singapore	34.1
33	Portugal	34.4
	World Avg	86.3
q=190.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₄₈
2	Israel	4.11₄₈
3	Japan	3.58₄₈
	...
33	Malaysia	1.13₄₉
34	Turkey	1.01₄₈
35	Lithuania	0.95₅₀
36	Poland	0.94₄₈
37=	Slovakia	0.89₄₈
37=	Malta	0.89₅₀
39	Greece	0.84₄₈
40	India	0.82₅₁
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₂
Pos.		2018₅₂
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
48	Ireland	88.3%
49	Netherlands	88.3%
50	Cuba	87.4%
51	Poland	85.3%
52	Belgium	84.8%
53	UK	84.5%
54	Jordan	84.0%
55	France	83.5%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₃
Pos.		2021 Years₅₃
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
35	Saudi Arabia	16.1
36	Israel	16.1
37	Tonga	16.0
38	Poland	16.0
39	Austria	16.0
40	Estonia	15.9
41	Thailand	15.9
42	France	15.8
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
20	Australia	20
21	Germany	21
22	Grenada	22
23	Poland	23
24	France	24
25	S. Africa	25
26	Singapore	26
27	Greece	27
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2015 Score₅₄
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
16	New Zealand	1517
17=	Norway	1513
17=	Denmark	1513
19	Poland	1511
20	Belgium	1508
21=	Vietnam	1507
21=	Australia	1507
23	UK	1499
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better₅₅
Pos.		2018 %₅₅
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
37=	Portugal	36
39	Azerbaijan	38
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2006₅₆
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
13=	Austria	100
13=	UK	100
15	New Zealand	99
16=	Poland	99
16=	Germany	99
16=	Finland	99
16=	Estonia	99
16=	Sweden	99
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2016₅₇
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
48	Macau	73%
49=	Israel	73%
49=	Guam	73%
51	Poland	72%
52	Brunei	72%
53	Slovenia	72%
54	Cyprus	72%
55	Russia	71%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better₅₈
Pos.		2013₅₈
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
18	Sweden	0.44
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
22	Switzerland	0.55
23	S. Korea	0.56
24	Australia	0.63
25	Libya	0.63
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₉
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₉
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
34	Macau	4.2
35	Singapore	4.0
36	Sweden	3.8
37	Poland	3.6
38	Thailand	3.3
39	Denmark	3.1
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.1
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2024₆₀
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
17	USA	67.5%
18	Bulgaria	66.3%
19	Belgium	66.1%
20=	Poland	66.0%
20=	S. Korea	66.0%
22	Ireland	65.9%
23	Israel	65.4%
24	Norway	64.5%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Poland has an adequate long-term record on corruption, but in the ten years from 2012 perceptions have gotten worse.

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2022 %₆₁
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
18=	UAE	47.0
18=	Philippines	47.0
18=	Argentina	47.0
18=	Poland	47.0
22	Serbia	46.0
23=	Netherlands	46.0
23=	Jamaica	46.0
23=	Russia	46.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		2022 Points₆₂
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
43	Italy	56.0
44=	Slovenia	56.0
45	Dominica	55.0
46=	Poland	55.0
46=	St Lucia	55.0
48	Costa Rica	54.0
49=	Fiji	53.0
49=	Slovakia	53.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better₆₃
Pos.		2024 Score₆₃
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
23	UK	6.7
24	USA	6.7
25	Belize	6.7
26	Poland	6.7
27	Taiwan	6.7
28	Uruguay	6.7
29	Kosovo	6.7
30	Kuwait	6.6
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
18	Barbados	18
19	Hungary	19
20	Slovakia	20
21	Poland	21
22	Norway	22
23	Lithuania	23
24	St Lucia	24
25	Canada	25
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
43	Morocco	43
44	Fiji	44
45	Bosnia & Herzegovina	45
46	Poland	46
47	Japan	47
48	Armenia	48
49	UAE	49
50	Greece	50
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₄
Pos.		2023 Score₆₄
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
26	Slovakia	1.58
27	Latvia	1.58
28	Sweden	1.63
29	Poland	1.63
30	Bulgaria	1.64
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
31=	Taiwan	1.65
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
104	Latvia	104
105	Laos	105
106	Mozambique	106
107	Poland	107
108	Ukraine	108
109	Belgium	109
110	Panama	110
111	Equatorial Guinea	111
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
21	Ireland	21
22	Costa Rica	22
23	Thailand	23
24	Poland	24
25	S. Africa	25
26	Chile	26
27	Panama	27
28	Portugal	28
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₅
Pos.		2019 Score₆₅
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
42=	Lithuania	0.46
42=	Sierra Leone	0.46
44	Jamaica	0.47
45	Poland	0.48
46	Gabon	0.55
47	Malawi	0.66
48	Azerbaijan	0.70
49	Czechia	0.87
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poland #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₆
Pos.		2019₆₆
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
29	UK	4.10
30	Hungary	4.20
31=	Croatia	4.30
31=	Poland	4.30
31=	New Zealand	4.30
34	Belarus	4.40
35=	Canada	4.60
35=	Malta	4.60
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₆₇
Pos.		2023 %₆₇
1	Slovakia	24.1%₆₈
2	Slovenia	24.3%₆₈
3	Belarus	24.4%₆₉
	...
18	Kiribati	27.8%₇₀
19	Armenia	27.9%₇₁
20	Denmark	28.3%₆₈
21=	Poland	28.5%₆₈
21=	Bhutan	28.5%₇₁
23	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	28.7%₇₂
24	Croatia	28.9%₆₈
25	Kosovo	29.0%₇₃
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Poland had the 10th-lowest income inequality in the 1980s.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #poland #RCC #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)₅₅
Pos.		Lower is better %₅₅
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
37=	Portugal	36
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
43	Argentina	43
44	Mexico	45
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
47=	Tajikistan	50
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)₇₄
Pos.		Higher is better %₇₄
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
61=	Uzbekistan	4
62	Lebanon	3
63=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
63=	Poland	3
63=	Jamaica	3
63=	India	3
67	Angola	2
68=	Chile	2
68=	Central African Rep.	2
68=	Tajikistan	2
68=	Turkmenistan	2
68=	Indonesia	2
73	Paraguay	1
74=	Nicaragua	1
74=	Bolivia	1
74=	Colombia	1
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₅:

Christian	94.3%
Muslim	0.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	5.6%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 94.8% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 30% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

"Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 89.8% [about 75% practicing], Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)₇₆.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Poland₇₇. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 20%. More people don't know what to believe (32%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (21%). Also, 1% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 7% believe in reincarnation.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: The Roman Catholic Church has an established position in Poland which is counter to what is expected of a modern democracy, and it has influenced and steered public discourse to a place of increasingly hardline intolerance of those typical things that the Catholic Church fought against in the dark ages: women's rights and tolerance of LGBT folk₇₈.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₇₉, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Poland states:

“The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, Poland's penal code states "Whoever offends religious feelings of other people by publicly insulting an object of religious cult or a place for public holding of religious ceremonies, is subject to a fine, restriction of liberty or loss of liberty for up to 2 years."
Cases of Discrimination
[...]
In January 2012, Dorota Rabczewska, a popular musician better known as Doda, was fined US $1,450 for "offending religious feelings" when she said in an interview that the Bible is full of "unbelievable tales" and that "it's hard to believe in something written down by someone drunk on wine and smoking some kind of herbs."
In October 2012, Poland's Supreme Court opened the way for a blasphemy verdict against another musician, Adam Darksi. Darski, who uses the stage name Nergal, is the lead singer of a heavy metal group named Behemoth. During a concert in 2007 Darski ripped up a Bible and called it deceitful and described the Roman Catholic Church as "a criminal sect". He was tried for "offending religious feelings". A lower court dismissed the charges, but the Supreme Court was then asked to rule on the legal arguments arising from the case. The Supreme Court ruled that Darski could be convicted of the crime of "offending religious feelings" even if he did not act with the "direct intention" of offending those feelings. That interpretation closed off an argument used by lawyers for Darski, who said he had not committed a crime because he did not intend to offend anyone. The case therefore returns to a lower court. If found guilty, Darski faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail, under Poland's criminal code.
”
"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)₈₀

Once, Poland was known for its long series of atrocities against Jews, especially during the Holocaust of the 1940s but in modern times there is now (thankfully) "a significant renascence of Jewish culture" in Poland₈₁.

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