The population in Poland is 38,000,000 and the annual growth rate is -.2%. Urban population is 61.4%. Poland ethnic Origins are 97.8% Poles, 0.4% Germans, 0.1% Belarusians, 0.1% Ukrainians and 2.7% other nationalities. The official language is Polish. The most spoken foreign language are German and English but it is useful to know a few words of Polish to travel across the country specially outside large urban areas. The religions in Poland are Catholics 95%, Orthodox Christians 1.8% and Others 3.2%. Poland is a republic based on parliamentary democracy. This country is in the center of Europe and has gone through violent and turbulent times. But a new era has begun with Poland joining the European Union in May 2004. Poland’s economy develop rapidly in the mid 1990s, but slowed down considerably in 2001-2002. In May 2004, when the country joined the European Union, the economical situation recovered and it was reinforced by the European Integration. GDP growth was strong between 2006 and 2008. The rate of unemployment is and will stay under control. Inflation will increase in the coming years, such as the current account deficit. Investments provision is substantial, especially in the sector of subcontracting. The economy is developing rapidly but this has incited the government to put off fiscal reforms. In Poland, agriculture employs less than 20% of the active population and contributes about 4% to GDP. The country is generally self sufficient as regards food. Poland is relatively rich in natural resources and the main ores produced are coal, sulphur, copper, lead and zinc. The country’s main industrial sectors are machine manufacturing, telecommunications, environment, transport, construction, industrial food preparation and information technologies. Here are some tables indicating some factors of the Economy of Poland: GDP Indicators

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

GDP (billions USD)

341.67

422.09

567.41e

-

-

GDP (constant prices, annual % change)

6.2

6.7

5.4e

3.0

3.5e

GDP per capita (USD)

8,958

11,072

14,893

-

-

General government balance (in % of GDP)

-3.8

-2.0

-2.3

-2.7

-2.9

Inflation rate (%)

1.3

2.5

4.2

3.2e

3.6e

Unemployment rate (% of the labor force)

13.8

9.6

7.2

7.1

7.6

Current Account (billions USD)

-9.39

-20.10

-27.97e

-29.31e

-31.28e

Current Account (in % of GDP)

-2.7

-4.7

-5.3e

-6.3

-6.3

Source: IMF - World Economic Outlook Database; OECD - Economic Outlook n°84

Socio-demographic indicators

2008

2009

2010

Unemployment rate (%)

7.2

7.1

7.6

Foreign trade indicators

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Imports of goods (millions USD)

66,732

87,484

99,161

124,474

160,162

Exports of goods (millions USD)

61,007

81,862

96,395

117,468

144,609

Imports of services (millions USD)

10,647

13,392

15,520

19,831

24,686

Exports of services (millions USD)

11,174

13,471

16,258

20,584

28,710

Imports of goods and services (annual % change)

9.3

15.2

4.7

15.8

12.3

Exports of goods and services (annual % change)

14.2

14.0

8.0

14.5

11.7

Imports of goods and services (in % of GDP)

35.9

39.5

37.4

41.0

41.6

Exports of goods and services (in % of GDP)

33.3

37.5

37.1

40.3

40.5

Trade Balance (millions USD)

-5,725

-5,622

-2,766

-7,006

-15,553

Trade Balance (including service) (millions USD)

-5,198

-5,543

-2,028

-6,253

-11,529

Current Account (millions USD)

-4,599

10,118

-3,705

-9,200

-15,794

Current Account (in % of GDP)

-2.1

-4.0

-1.2

-2.7

-3.8

Foreign trade (in % of GDP)

69.2

77.0

74.5

81.2

82.1

Source:World Bank - World Development Indicators  

Main suppliers(% of imports)

2007

Germany

24.0%

Russia

8.7%

China

7.2%

Italy

6.8%

France

5.1%

Other partners

48.1%

                  Main partner countries

Main customers(% of exports)

2007

Germany

25.9%

Italy

6.6%

France

6.1%

United Kingdom

5.9%

Czech Republic

5.5%

Other partners

50.0%

Source: Comtrade  

Breakdown of economic activity by sector

Agriculture

Industry

Services

Value added (annual % change)

3.0

4.4

7.1

Value added (in % of GDP)

4.3

29.9

65.9

Employment by sector (in % of total employment)

17.4

29.2

53.4

Source: World Bank - World Development Indicators - last available data.   Sources http://www.fita.org/countries/poland.html