Poland

Poland

Introduction

Background

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. 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 and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A “shock therapy” program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Geography

Location

Central Europe, east of Germany

Geographic coordinates

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 312,685 sq km
country comparison to the world: 70 land:304,255 sq km
water:8,430 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than New Mexico

Land boundaries

total: 3,047 km
border countries:Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km

Coastline

440 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone:defined by international treaties

Climate

temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation

mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers

Terrain

mostly flat plain

mountains along southern border

Elevation extremes

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point:Rysy 2,499 m

Natural resources

coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land

Land use

arable land: 40.25%
permanent crops:1%
other:58.75% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,160 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

63.1 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 11.73cu km/yr (13%/79%/8%)
per capita:304cu m/yr (2002)

Natural hazards

flooding

Environment – current issues

situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments

air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage

water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes

pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government

Environment – international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography – note

historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Pole(s)
adjective:Polish

Ethnic groups

Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)

Languages

Polish (official) 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)

Religions

Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)

Population

38,441,588 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.7% (male 2,910,324/female 2,748,546)
15-64 years:71.6% (male 13,698,363/female 13,834,779)
65 years and over:13.7% (male 2,004,550/female 3,245,026) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 38.5 years
male:36.8 years
female:40.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.062% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Birth rate

10.01 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Death rate

10.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Net migration rate

-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Urbanization

urban population: 61% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:-0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

WARSAW (capital) 1.71 million

Krakow 756,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.62 male(s)/female
total population:0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 162

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.54 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 170 male:7.25 deaths/1,000 live births
female:5.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.05 years
country comparison to the world: 76 male:72.1 years
female:80.25 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.3 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Health expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 76

Physicians density

2.144 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 60

Hospital bed density

6.62 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 16

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 80% of population
total: 90% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 20% of population
total: 10% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1%

0.1% note – no country specific models provided (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

27,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease:tickborne encephalitis
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds(2009)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

18% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 24

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 65

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.8%
male:99.8%
female:99.7% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years
male:15 years
female:16 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.7%
country comparison to the world: 52 male:20.2%
female:21.2% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form:Poland
local long form:Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form:Polska

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Warsaw
geographic coordinates:52 15 N, 21 00 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March

ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular – wojewodztwo)

Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesia), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavia-Pomerania), Lodzkie, Lubelskie (Lublin), Lubuskie (Lubusz), Malopolskie (Lesser Poland), Mazowieckie (Masovia), Opolskie, Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia), Podlaskie, Pomorskie (Pomerania), Slaskie (Silesia), Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie (Warmia-Masuria), Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland), Zachodniopomorskie (West Pomerania)

Independence

11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

notable earlier dates: A.D. 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)

National holiday

Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Constitution

adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997

passed by national referendum 25 May 1997

effective 17 October 1997

Legal system

civil law system

changes gradually being introduced as part of broader democratization process

limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (since 6 August 2010)
head of government:Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 16 November 2007)

Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar PAWLAK (since 16 November 2007)
cabinet:Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm

the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 20 June and 4 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm
election results:Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI elected president

percent of popular vote – Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI 53%, Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI 47%

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of an upper house, the Senate or Senat (100 seats

members elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the Sejm (460 seats

members elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

the designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly
elections:Senate – last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held by October 2015)

Sejm – last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held by October 2015)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PO 63, PiS 31, PSL 2, independents 4

Sejm – percent of vote by party – PO 39.2%, PiS 29.9%, RD 10%, PSL 8.4%, SLD 8.2%, other 4.3%

seats by party – PO 207, PiS 157, RD 40, PSL 28, SLD 27, German minorities 1
note:one seat is assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm only

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period)

Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms)

Political parties and leaders

Civic Platform or PO [Donald TUSK, chairman

Tomasz TOMCZYKIEWICZ, parliamentary caucus leader]

Democratic Caucus of the Democratic Party (SD) or DKP SD [Bogdan LIS, parliamentary caucus leader]

Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI, chairman, parliamentary caucus leader]

Democratic Party or PD [Brygida KUZNIAK, chairwoman]

Democratic Party or SD [Pawel PISKORSKI, chairman]

German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Ryszard GALLA, representative]

Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI, chairman

Mariusz BLASZCZAK, parliamentary caucus leader]

League of Polish Families or LPR [Witold BALAZAK, chairman]

Palikot’s Movement or RP [Janusz PALIKOT, chairman]

Poland Comes First or PJN [Joanna KLUZIK-ROSTKOWSKA, chairwoman, parliamentary caucus leader]

Polish People’s Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK, chairman

Stanislaw ZELICHOWSKI, parliamentary caucus leader]

Samoobrona or SO [Andrzej LEPPER, chairman]

Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [Wojciech FILEMONOWICZ, chairman

Marek BOROWSKI, parliamentary caucus leader]

Union of Labor or UP [Waldemar WITKOWSKI, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders

All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ]

Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Stanislaw DZIWISZ, Archbishop Jozef MICHALIK]

Solidarity Trade Union [Piotr DUDA]

International organization participation

Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert KUPIECKI
chancery:2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX:[1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general:Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Lee FEINSTEIN
embassy:Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw
mailing address:American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)
telephone:[48] (22) 504-2000
FAX:[48] (22) 504-2688
consulate(s) general:Krakow

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red

colors derive from the Polish emblem – a white eagle on a red field
note:similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

National symbol(s)

white eagle

National anthem

name: “Mazurek Dabrowskiego” (Dabrowski’s Mazurka)
lyrics/music:Jozef WYBICKI/traditional
note:adopted 1927

the anthem, commonly known as “Jeszcze Polska nie zginela” (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797

the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation’s lands have been occupied

Economy

Economy – overview

Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. It is the only country in the European Union to maintain positive GDP growth through the 2008-2009 economic downturn. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment fell rapidly to 6.4% in October 2008, but climbed back to 11.8% for the year 2010, exceeding the EU average by more than 2%. Inflation reached a low of about 2.6% in 2010 due to the global economic slowdown but has since climbed and is expected to remain around 3%, and close to the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland’s target rate. Poland’s economic performance could improve over the longer term if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure and its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape, burdensome tax system, and persistent low-level corruption keep the private sector from performing up to its full potential. Rising demands to fund health care, education, and the state pension system caused the public sector budget deficit to rise to 7.9% of GDP in 2010. The PO/PSL coalition government, which came to power in November 2007, has planned to reduce the budget deficit in 2011 and has also announced its intention to enact business-friendly reforms, increase workforce participation, reduce public sector spending growth, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization. The government has moved slowly on most major reforms, but has sped up privatization.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$721.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 $694.8 billion (2009 est.)
$683.5 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$468.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 1.7% (2009 est.)
5.1% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$18,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65 $18,100 (2009 est.)
$17,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 3.4%
industry:33%
services:63.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

17.66 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 17.4%
industry:29.2%
services:53.4% (2005)

Unemployment rate

12.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129 11% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

17% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%:27.2% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

34.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 93 31.6 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Budget

revenues: $82.96 billion
expenditures:$97.74 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Public debt

52.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 49.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88 3.5% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95 3.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.367% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123 8.513% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$151.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 $136.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$261.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 $250.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$303.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 $289.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$190.2 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 34 $135.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$90.23 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat

poultry, eggs, pork, dairy

Industries

machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

11.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity – production

141.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity – consumption

132.2 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity – exports

9.594 billion kWh (2009)

Electricity – imports

2.191 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

28,230 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Oil – consumption

564,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30

Oil – exports

50,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Oil – imports

531,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Oil – proved reserves

96.38 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas – production

6.084 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas – consumption

17.2 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas – exports

47 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Natural gas – imports

10.89 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas – proved reserves

164.8 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Current account balance

-$15.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185 -$17.16 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$162.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27 $142.1 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6%

Exports – partners

Germany 26.9%, France 7.1%, UK 6.4%, Italy 6.3%, Czech Republic 6.2%, Netherlands 4.3%, Russia 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$173.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24 $149.7 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9%

Imports – partners

Germany 29.1%, Russia 8.8%, Netherlands 6%, Italy 5.8%, China 5.6%, France 4.5%, Czech Republic 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$93.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 $79.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$365.4 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27 $272.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$193.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 $186.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$36.84 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 $29.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

zlotych (PLN) per US dollar -
3.0718 (2010)
3.1214 (2009)
2.3 (2008)
2.81 (2007)
3.1032 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

129 (2010)
country comparison to the world:46

Airports – with paved runways

total: 86
over 3,047 m:4
2,438 to 3,047 m:30
1,524 to 2,437 m:39
914 to 1,523 m:7
under 914 m:6 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 43
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:5
914 to 1,523 m:16
under 914 m:21 (2010)

Heliports

7 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 13,860 km

oil 1,384 km

refined products 777 km

unknown 35 km (2010)

Railways

total: 19,428 km
country comparison to the world: 15 broad gauge:399 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge:19,029 km 1.435-m gauge (11,805 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 423,997 km
country comparison to the world: 15 paved:295,356 km (includes 765 km of expressways)
unpaved:128,641 km (2008)

Waterways

3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28

Merchant marine

total: 10
country comparison to the world: 115 by type:cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 1
registered in other countries:104 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas 32, Cyprus 20, Liberia 13, Malta 22, Norway 2, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 7) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin

Military

Military branches

Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation Forces, Special Forces (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for male voluntary or compulsory military service

service obligation shortened from 12 to 9 months in 2005

conscription is to end in 2012

only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service

as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers

reserve obligation to age 50 (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 9,531,855
females age 16-49:9,298,593 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 7,817,556
females age 16-49:7,766,361 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 221,889
female:211,172 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.71% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

as a member state that forms part of the EU’s external border, Poland has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to restrict illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine

Illicit drugs

despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market

minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe