What is the population of Poland in 2026?
Poland has a population of 36,435,861 people (2025 estimate), which is 44th in the world and about 0.44% of the global total.
Officially Republic of Poland
Population 2025
36,435,861
0.44% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
−0.34%
−123,153 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
120/km²
306,270 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
42.5 years
Life expectancy 78.4 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a Central European country and the EU's fifth-most populous member state. It has the sixth-largest economy in the EU and has experienced remarkable transformation since 1989, transitioning from communist rule to a market economy and EU membership. Poland is a major NATO and EU member with growing geopolitical significance, particularly since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which borders Poland to the east.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Warsaw
- Continent
- Europe
- ISO codes
- PL · POL
- Demonym
- Polish
- Currency
- Polish złoty (PLN zł)
- Government
- Parliamentary system, Semi-presidential system, Unitary state
- State inception
- 1918
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +48
- Internet TLD
- .pl
- Land neighbours
- 7
Languages
- Polish
Religions
- Roman Catholic (87%)
- Eastern Orthodox (1.3%)
- Protestant (0.4%)
- None (10%)
Demographics
Poland has 38 million people with a relatively homogeneous population (97% Polish). The population is aging with a median age of 41.8 years and a fertility rate of 1.3 children per woman. About 60% live in urban areas. Since 2022, Poland has received millions of Ukrainian refugees, significantly impacting demographics. Emigration to Western Europe (especially UK and Germany) has been substantial since EU accession, though some return migration occurs.
Economy
Poland is Central Europe's largest economy and has had the EU's most sustained growth since 1989—GDP has sextupled. Manufacturing (automotive, electronics, appliances), services, and agriculture are key sectors. Poland avoided recession during the 2008 crisis, the only EU country to do so. Foreign investment has been substantial. Challenges include transitioning from coal dependence and addressing regional inequalities between western and eastern Poland.
Major exports
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Food products
- Plastics
- Metals
Major imports
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Crude petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics
- Electronics
- Chemicals
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Poland spans 312,696 km² of the North European Plain, with the Carpathian and Sudetes mountains in the south. The Baltic Sea coastline extends 770 km. Major rivers include the Vistula (Poland's longest) and Oder. Landscapes include the Masuria lake district, Białowieża primeval forest (Europe's last), and the Tatra Mountains. Climate is temperate with cold winters and warm summers.
Natural resources
- Coal
- Sulfur
- Copper
- Natural gas
- Silver
- Lead
- Salt
- Amber
- Arable land
Climate
- Temperate continental
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 14.8%
- Age 15–64
- 65.1%
- Age 65+
- 20.1%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 1,181 | 6,359 |
| 95-99 | 12,697 | 45,443 |
| 90-94 | 62,309 | 179,307 |
| 85-89 | 169,160 | 393,513 |
| 80-84 | 266,750 | 507,118 |
| 75-79 | 555,194 | 851,194 |
| 70-74 | 929,574 | 1,260,091 |
| 65-69 | 1,139,767 | 1,383,448 |
| 60-64 | 1,119,932 | 1,239,289 |
| 55-59 | 1,080,532 | 1,124,568 |
| 50-54 | 1,266,823 | 1,274,745 |
| 45-49 | 1,512,769 | 1,490,925 |
| 40-44 | 1,662,335 | 1,618,255 |
| 35-39 | 1,561,792 | 1,509,744 |
| 30-34 | 1,338,207 | 1,282,340 |
| 25-29 | 1,107,138 | 1,060,256 |
| 20-24 | 929,367 | 889,011 |
| 15-19 | 1,026,005 | 976,034 |
| 10-14 | 1,063,895 | 1,010,241 |
| 5-9 | 1,001,313 | 948,557 |
| 0-4 | 865,167 | 816,856 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 24,780,161 |
| 1960 | 29,575,966 |
| 1970 | 32,542,633 |
| 1980 | 35,576,519 |
| 1990 | 38,055,455 |
| 2000 | 38,258,071 |
| 2010 | 38,095,351 |
| 2020 | 38,171,012 |
| 2030 | 37,198,543 |
| 2040 | 35,179,554 |
| 2050 | 32,814,096 |
| 2060 | 30,139,158 |
| 2070 | 27,103,555 |
| 2080 | 24,037,703 |
| 2090 | 21,452,557 |
| 2100 | 19,329,839 |
History
Poland's history includes the medieval Piast dynasty, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (once Europe's largest state), partitions by Prussia, Austria, and Russia (1772-1918), and resurrection after WWI. WWII began with Germany's invasion of Poland; the Holocaust killed 3 million Polish Jews. Communist rule (1945-1989) ended with the Solidarity movement. Since 1989, Poland has democratized, joined NATO (1999) and the EU (2004), and achieved economic growth.
Culture
Polish culture encompasses Nobel Prize-winning literature (Szymborska, Tokarczuk), music (Chopin), film (Wajda, Polanski), and distinctive cuisine (pierogi, bigos, żurek). Catholicism deeply influences Polish identity—Pope John Paul II was Polish. Poland has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Kraków's Old Town and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Football and volleyball are popular sports. Poland's history of resilience and resistance to occupation shapes national character.
Current Challenges
Poland faces challenges from an aging and declining population, coal dependency (80% of electricity), judicial independence disputes with the EU, emigration of young workers, and strained relations with Brussels over rule of law concerns. Housing affordability has worsened. The refugee influx from Ukraine, while generally welcomed, requires sustained integration efforts. Healthcare and education systems need modernization.
Future Outlook
Poland aims to reduce coal dependency by 2040 and invest in nuclear and renewable energy. Economic growth is expected to continue, with Poland potentially joining the Eurozone eventually. Population is projected to decline to under 35 million by 2050 without increased immigration. Poland's strategic importance has risen with the Ukraine crisis, strengthening its position within NATO and the EU.
Highlights
What Poland Is Known For
- 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Only EU country to avoid recession in 2008
- Europe's last primeval forest
- Birthplace of Copernicus and Marie Curie
- World's largest castle (Malbork)
Interesting Facts About Poland
- Poland has the world's largest castle by land area (Malbork Castle)
- Marie Curie, the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two sciences, was Polish
- The Wieliczka Salt Mine has an underground chapel carved entirely from salt
- Poland is home to Europe's last primeval forest (Białowieża)
- Polish astronomer Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system
- Pierogi (dumplings) have their own festival in Poland
- Poland has 17 Nobel Prize winners
How Poland Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| Poland | 36.4M |
Major Cities in Poland
1 metropolitan area in our city dataset.
- Warsaw1.86M · +0.25%
Countries Bordering Poland
7 land borders.
Poland Population FAQ
Is the population of Poland growing or shrinking?
Poland's population is shrinking at −0.34% per year, a change of roughly 123,153 people annually.
What is the capital of Poland?
The capital of Poland is Warsaw.
What is the largest city in Poland?
Warsaw is the largest metropolitan area in Poland, with about 1.86M people.
How densely populated is Poland?
Poland has 120/km² across 306,270 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Poland?
Life expectancy at birth in Poland is 78.4 years (2024).
What is the median age in Poland?
The median age in Poland is 42.5 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Poland in?
Poland is in Europe.