Europe · Central Europe
Poland Demographics
Poland combines population decline, low fertility, a large older-age population, female-heavy older cohorts, and different migration readings depending on whether the source counts permanent residence moves, temporary stays abroad, or model-based net migration.
Primary current-series values use Statistics Poland (GUS), including the first-half 2026 population estimate, 2025 life expectancy and migration releases, and GUS Local Data Bank age and fertility data. Long-run population history and projection values use UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024. Eurostat is used only for the same-source EU comparison table.
Last updated: September 27, 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
2026 Population Update
Statistics Poland’s preliminary estimate places the population at about 37.2 million at the end of June 2026, 159,000 lower than a year earlier. From January through June, 115,000 live births and 210,500 deaths were registered, leaving natural change at about -95,500. Net international migration was estimated to remain positive.
| Measure | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | About 37.2 million | End June 2026 | Statistics Poland, preliminary estimate |
| Year-on-year population change | -159,000 | End June 2026 vs. end June 2025 | Statistics Poland, preliminary estimate |
| Live births | 115,000 | January-June 2026 | Statistics Poland |
| Deaths | 210,500 | January-June 2026 | Statistics Poland |
| Natural change | About -95,500 | January-June 2026 | Calculated from rounded Statistics Poland birth and death totals |
Source: Statistics Poland, socio-economic situation of the country, first half of 2026; released August 25, 2026.
Detailed Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,332,510 | 2025 | Statistics Poland / GUS Local Data Bank |
| Population, previous annual value | 37,489,087 | 2024 | Statistics Poland basic data |
| Annual population change | -156,577 people | 2025 | Calculated from GUS 2024 and 2025 population values |
| Annual population growth rate | -0.42% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Population density | 118.9 people per km² | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Urban population share | About 59.4% | June 2025 | Statistics Poland mid-year urban and total population release |
| Urban population | About 22,213,000 | June 2025 | Statistics Poland mid-year urban and total population release |
| Population aged 0-14 | 5,307,310 · 14.2% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Population aged 15-64 | 24,157,218 · 64.7% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Population aged 65+ | 7,867,982 · 21.1% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Male population | 18,026,904 · 48.3% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Female population | 19,305,606 · 51.7% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Sex ratio | 93.38 males per 100 females | 2025 | Calculated from GUS Local Data Bank sex totals |
| Live births | 238,264 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Deaths | 405,747 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Natural change | -167,483 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Total fertility rate | 1.068 births per woman | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 78.5 years | 2024 | Statistics Poland life expectancy release |
| Life expectancy at birth, men | 75.37 years | 2025 | Statistics Poland life expectancy release |
| Life expectancy at birth, women | 82.48 years | 2025 | Statistics Poland life expectancy release |
| Permanent-residence net migration | +10,906 | 2025 | Statistics Poland international migration series |
| Polish citizens temporarily abroad | About 1,513,000 | End 2025 | Statistics Poland temporary-emigration estimate; 2025 value projected |
Table analysis
- The official 2025 population value is 156,577 lower than the 2024 Statistics Poland population value used here.
- The 2025 population aged 65+ is 7,867,982, larger than the 0-14 population of 5,307,310.
- Deaths exceeded live births by 167,483 in 2025.
- The female population exceeded the male population by 1,278,702 in 2025.
- Permanent-residence net migration increased from +9,301 in 2024 to +10,906 in 2025.
Population Trend
Poland Population Trend, 1960-2025
UN DESA WPP 2024 mid-year estimates are used for a same-definition long-run series.
Source: UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024, medium estimate series. This chart does not use GUS resident-population counts.
Trend analysis
- The UN series rises from 29.6 million in 1960 to about 38.1 million in 2025.
- The post-1990 line is nearly flat compared with the 1960-1990 rise.
- The 2025 UN mid-year estimate is 38.14 million, compared with the GUS 2025 resident-population value of 37.33 million.
Detailed Population History Table
| Year | Population | Yearly % change | Yearly change | Net migration | Median age | Fertility rate | Density | Urban pop % | Urban population | Share of world population | World population | Global rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 29,575,966 | 1.79% | 502,465 | -6,306 | 25.6 | 3.00 | 97 | 47.9% | 14,181,448 | 0.98% | 3,015,470,894 | 19 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1965 | 31,288,336 | 1.13% | 342,474 | -21,658 | 26.5 | 2.54 | 102 | 50.2% | 15,718,434 | 0.94% | 3,334,533,703 | 21 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1970 | 32,542,633 | 0.79% | 250,859 | -66,859 | 27.3 | 2.25 | 106 | 52.3% | 17,011,282 | 0.88% | 3,694,683,794 | 23 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1975 | 33,964,399 | 0.86% | 284,353 | -31,346 | 27.4 | 2.28 | 111 | 55.3% | 18,776,569 | 0.83% | 4,070,735,277 | 24 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1980 | 35,576,519 | 0.93% | 322,424 | -42,420 | 28.5 | 2.28 | 116 | 58.0% | 20,640,994 | 0.80% | 4,447,606,236 | 25 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1985 | 37,200,853 | 0.90% | 324,867 | -27,277 | 29.8 | 2.32 | 121 | 59.8% | 22,255,565 | 0.76% | 4,868,943,465 | 26 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1990 | 38,055,455 | 0.46% | 170,920 | -50,339 | 31.4 | 2.07 | 124 | 61.1% | 23,254,781 | 0.71% | 5,327,803,110 | 28 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 1995 | 38,364,667 | 0.16% | 61,842 | -52,989 | 32.9 | 1.63 | 125 | 61.6% | 23,645,810 | 0.67% | 5,758,878,982 | 29 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2000 | 38,258,071 | -0.06% | -21,319 | -15,921 | 34.3 | 1.37 | 125 | 62.2% | 23,791,900 | 0.62% | 6,171,702,993 | 30 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2005 | 38,124,379 | -0.07% | -26,738 | -41,942 | 35.6 | 1.24 | 124 | 61.8% | 23,574,790 | 0.58% | 6,586,970,132 | 32 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2010 | 38,095,351 | -0.02% | -5,806 | 119,623 | 36.9 | 1.41 | 124 | 61.3% | 23,335,927 | 0.54% | 7,021,732,148 | 33 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2015 | 38,266,314 | 0.09% | 34,193 | 3,887 | 38.3 | 1.32 | 125 | 60.3% | 23,065,377 | 0.51% | 7,470,491,872 | 35 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2020 | 38,171,012 | -0.14% | -54,873 | 3,920 | 40.1 | 1.38 | 125 | 59.7% | 22,781,639 | 0.48% | 7,887,001,292 | 39 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2022 | 38,385,739 | 0.91% | 345,437 | 967,744 | 40.9 | 1.26 | 125 | 59.1% | 22,695,137 | 0.48% | 8,021,407,192 | 39 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2023 | 38,762,844 | 0.98% | 377,105 | -7,824 | 41.3 | 1.30 | 127 | 58.5% | 22,658,118 | 0.48% | 8,091,734,930 | 39 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2024 | 38,539,201 | -0.58% | -223,643 | -238,062 | 41.8 | 1.30 | 126 | 58.7% | 22,625,763 | 0.47% | 8,161,972,572 | 39 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2025 | 38,140,910 | -1.03% | -398,291 | -330,820 | 42.5 | 1.31 | 125 | 59.2% | 22,598,335 | 0.46% | 8,231,613,070 | 42 | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
Table analysis
- The UN series places Poland above 38 million from 1990 through 2025, but the recent line turns downward.
- UN median age rises from 25.6 years in 1960 to 42.5 years in 2025.
- The UN fertility series declines from 3.00 in 1960 to 1.31 in 2025.
- Urban population in the UN series peaks near 23.79 million in 2000 and is lower by 2025.
- The UN WPP net migration value declines to -330,820 in 2025.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
Age-sex data note: The 2025 GUS data shown here include total population by age group and national male/female totals. Five-year age groups are presented as total counts rather than separate male and female counts.
Broad Age Structure
Population by broad age group, 2025.
Source: GUS Local Data Bank, 2025. Counts are broad age groups, not age-by-sex groups.
Chart analysis
- The 65+ population is 2,560,672 larger than the 0-14 population.
- The working-age group remains the largest segment at 24,157,218 people.
Broad Age Structure Table
| Age group | Population | Share | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 5,307,310 | 14.2% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 15-64 | 24,157,218 | 64.7% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 65+ | 7,867,982 | 21.1% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
Detailed Age Distribution
Total population by age group, 2025.
Source: GUS Local Data Bank, 2025. These are age totals, not sex-specific age groups.
Age-sex analysis
- The largest age group in this table is 40-44, with 3,191,762 people.
- The combined 75+ population is 3,215,327, or about 8.6% of the 2025 population used here.
- The 0-4 group is 1,397,906, smaller than each 5-year group from 5-9 through 75-79.
Age Distribution Table
| Age group | Population | Share of total | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 1,397,906 | 3.7% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 5-9 | 1,935,091 | 5.2% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 10-14 | 1,974,313 | 5.3% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 15-19 | 2,055,526 | 5.5% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 20-24 | 1,756,350 | 4.7% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 25-29 | 1,936,614 | 5.2% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 30-34 | 2,378,342 | 6.4% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 35-39 | 2,789,458 | 7.5% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 40-44 | 3,191,762 | 8.6% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 45-49 | 3,034,950 | 8.1% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 50-54 | 2,632,611 | 7.1% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 55-59 | 2,194,832 | 5.9% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 60-64 | 2,186,773 | 5.9% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 65-69 | 2,446,741 | 6.6% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 70-74 | 2,205,914 | 5.9% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 75-79 | 1,598,521 | 4.3% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 80-84 | 764,720 | 2.0% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 85+ | 852,086 | 2.3% | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
Male and Female Population
National sex totals, 2025.
Source: GUS Local Data Bank, 2025.
Age-sex analysis
- Women account for 51.7% of the 2025 population used here.
- The national sex ratio is 93.38 males per 100 females.
Male and Female Population Table
| Group | Population | Share | Sex ratio note | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 18,026,904 | 48.3% | 93.38 males per 100 females | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Women | 19,305,606 | 51.7% | 107.09 females per 100 males | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| Total | 37,332,510 | 100.0% | Data not applicable | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
Fertility, Mortality, Migration and Urban Profile
Recent Total Fertility Rate
Statistics Poland total fertility rate, 2024 and 2025.
Source: Statistics Poland / GUS Local Data Bank.
Chart analysis
- The total fertility rate declined from 1.099 in 2024 to 1.068 in 2025.
- The 2025 value is the latest annual figure in the GUS Local Data Bank series.
Life Expectancy by Sex
Life expectancy at birth, 2025.
Source: Statistics Poland, Life expectancy in Poland 2025.
Chart analysis
- Women have a life expectancy of 82.48 years in 2025.
- Men have a life expectancy of 75.37 years in 2025.
- The female-male gap is 7.11 years.
Vital Statistics Table
| Year | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Fertility rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 238,264 | 405,747 | -167,483 | 1.068 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 2024 | 251,782 | 408,504 | -156,722 | 1.099 | Statistics Poland basic data and GUS Local Data Bank |
Table analysis
- Live births fell from 251,782 in 2024 to 238,264 in 2025.
- Deaths exceeded births by 167,483 in 2025.
Life Expectancy Table
| Year | Total | Men | Women | Female-male gap | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 75.37 years | 82.48 years | 7.11 years | Statistics Poland, Life expectancy in Poland 2025 |
| 2024 | 78.5 years | 74.93 years | 82.26 years | 7.33 years | Statistics Poland life expectancy release |
Migration Measures Table
| Measure | Value | Year | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent-residence net migration | +10,906 | 2025 | Balance of immigration and emigration for permanent residence | Statistics Poland international migration series |
| Polish citizens temporarily abroad | About 1,513,000 | End 2025 | Polish citizens temporarily staying abroad for at least 12 months | Statistics Poland temporary-emigration estimate; 2025 value projected |
| International migrant stock | 1,739,901 | 2024 | Foreign-born or international migrant stock estimate; not a one-year migration flow | UN DESA migrant stock estimate as reported in migration country profile |
| UN WPP net migration | -330,820 | 2025 | Model-based net migration used in UN population accounting | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
Method note
- The permanent-residence balance is positive in 2025 at +10,906.
- The 2025 UN WPP net migration value of -330,820 is a model-based demographic-accounting input, not the permanent-residence balance.
- The temporary-abroad figure is a stock measured at the end of 2025, not a one-year migration flow.
Urban and Rural Population Table
| Area type | Population | Share | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban | About 22,213,000 | About 59.4% | June 2025 | Statistics Poland mid-year release |
| Rural | About 15,189,000 | About 40.6% | June 2025 | Derived from Statistics Poland mid-year total and urban population values |
Largest City Populations
| Rank | City | Population | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warszawa | 1,866,729 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 2 | Kraków | 816,614 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 3 | Wrocław | 672,601 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 4 | Łódź | 639,890 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 5 | Poznań | 534,239 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 6 | Gdańsk | 489,328 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 7 | Szczecin | 383,786 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 8 | Lublin | 326,685 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 9 | Bydgoszcz | 321,100 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
| 10 | Białystok | 289,217 | 2025 | GUS Local Data Bank |
Table analysis
- Warszawa is the only city in this table above 1.8 million.
- Kraków and Wrocław are the next two largest cities in this table.
- The table uses city administrative populations, not metropolitan-area populations.
Population Projection
UN Medium-Variant Population Path
Baseline estimate for 2025 and projected values for 2030-2040.
Source: UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
Projection analysis
- The UN medium-variant path declines from 38.14 million in 2025 to 35.18 million in 2040.
- The 2030-2040 projection drop in the table is about 2.02 million.
Forecast Population Table
| Year | Projected population | Yearly % change | Yearly change | Net migration assumption | Median age | Fertility rate | Density | Urban pop % | Urban population | Scenario | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 37,198,543 | -0.50% | -188,473 | -5,963 | 45.0 | 1.33 | 121 | 60.6% | 22,532,769 | Medium variant | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2035 | 36,243,787 | -0.52% | -190,951 | -4,055 | 47.4 | 1.35 | 118 | 62.3% | 22,568,109 | Medium variant | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
| 2040 | 35,179,554 | -0.59% | -212,847 | -5,282 | 49.3 | 1.37 | 115 | 64.5% | 22,692,384 | Medium variant | UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 |
Projection analysis
- The projected population is below 36 million by 2040 in this UN medium-variant table.
- The median age rises from 45.0 in 2030 to 49.3 in 2040.
- The projected urban share rises even while the projected total population falls.
EU Comparison Metrics
The comparison uses neighboring and Central-European EU countries commonly discussed with Poland because of population size, ageing, fertility, migration, or regional context. Values use the same Eurostat comparison table published through Destatis, so the comparison avoids mixing national sources country by country.
| Country | Population 2025 | Projection 2060 | Fertility rate 2024 | Life expectancy, women 2024 | Life expectancy, men 2024 | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 36.5 million | 31.2 million | 1.14 | 82.2 | 74.8 | Eurostat / Destatis; EU comparison definition |
| Germany | 83.6 million | 78.5 million | 1.36 | 83.5 | 78.9 | Eurostat / Destatis |
| Czechia | 10.9 million | 10.4 million | 1.36 | 83.0 | 77.1 | Eurostat / Destatis |
| Hungary | 9.5 million | 8.2 million | 1.41 | 79.9 | 73.7 | Eurostat / Destatis |
| Romania | 19.0 million | 16.3 million | 1.39 | 80.3 | 72.8 | Eurostat / Destatis |
| Lithuania | 2.9 million | 2.3 million | 1.11 | 81.6 | 73.0 | Eurostat / Destatis |
Comparison analysis
- In this Eurostat comparison extract, Poland has the lowest fertility value among Poland, Germany, Czechia, Hungary, and Romania.
- Poland’s 2060 comparison projection is lower than its 2025 comparison population by 5.3 million.
- Poland’s female-male life expectancy gap is 7.4 years in the Eurostat comparison extract.
Demographic Overview
Statistics Poland’s preliminary estimate places the population at about 37.2 million at the end of June 2026, down 159,000 from a year earlier.
The 65+ population is larger than the child population, with 21.1% aged 65+ and 14.2% aged 0-14 in the 2025 GUS-based table.
Women make up 51.7% of the 2025 population, with a national sex ratio of 93.38 males per 100 females.
The total fertility rate declined from 1.099 in 2024 to 1.068 in 2025.
Permanent-residence net migration was +10,906 in 2025, while about 1.513 million Polish citizens were estimated to be temporarily abroad at year-end.
The UN medium-variant path declines from 38.14 million in 2025 to 35.18 million in 2040 as the median age rises.
Data Sources and Methodology
Statistics Poland resident counts, UN mid-year estimates, Eurostat comparison values, administrative migration measures, and scenario projections use different population concepts and reference periods. Each series is shown with its own source and year.
Data Sources Used
| Source | Year or release | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Poland (GUS) current demographic releases | 2025 annual data and first half of 2026 | Current population update, live births, deaths and natural change |
| Statistics Poland / GUS Local Data Bank | 2025 | 2025 population, density, broad age groups, detailed age totals, sex totals, city populations and fertility |
| Statistics Poland mid-year population release | June 2025 | Urban population, urban share, derived rural population and rural share |
| Statistics Poland, Life expectancy in Poland | 2025 release published July 27, 2026 | 2025 life expectancy at birth for men, women and the female-male gap |
| Statistics Poland international migration series | Permanent-residence data through 2025; temporary-emigration estimate for end 2025 | Permanent-residence net migration and Polish citizens temporarily abroad |
| UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 | 2024 revision | Long-run population history table, UN median age, UN fertility series, UN net migration column, projection table and chart |
| Eurostat / Destatis | Extract status May 7, 2026 | Same-source EU comparison table only |
| UN DESA migrant stock estimate as reported in migration country profile | 2024 | International migrant stock row in the migration measures table |
Indicator Definitions
| Indicator | Definition | Unit | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | A source-specific count or estimate of people in Poland; resident counts and UN mid-year estimates are not identical. | Persons | Core card uses GUS; long-run chart uses UN WPP. |
| Annual change | Difference between two population values in the same source series. | Persons or percent | Do not compare GUS annual change with UN annual change unless the source is stated. |
| Fertility rate | Average number of live births per woman under the source’s period fertility method. | Births per woman | GUS annual fertility and UN WPP fertility values use different source series and reference timing. |
| Life expectancy at birth | Expected years of life for a newborn under the mortality conditions of the reference period. | Years | Latest sex-specific values use Statistics Poland 2025 life tables. |
| Sex ratio | Male population divided by female population, multiplied by 100. | Males per 100 females | Calculated from 2025 GUS Local Data Bank sex totals. |
| Net migration | Migration balance under a stated definition; permanent-residence administrative balance differs from UN model-based net migration. | Persons | Migration table labels each definition separately. |
| Urban population share | Share of the population classified as urban under the source’s settlement definition. | Percent | Current value uses Statistics Poland mid-year urban and total population values. |
| Projection | Scenario-based estimate of a future population path. | Persons | UN medium-variant values describe a future scenario. |
Method note
- Derived values are limited to arithmetic based on listed source values, such as shares, differences, natural change, sex ratio, and rural population.
Methodological Safety Note
Methodological Safety Note: Statistics Poland resident counts, UN mid-year estimates, Eurostat comparison values and migration measures use different definitions and reference periods. Permanent-residence migration, temporary stays abroad and UN model-based net migration are separate measures, while urban population follows the source’s settlement definition.
Poland Demographics FAQ
What is Poland’s current population?
Statistics Poland’s preliminary estimate places the population at about 37.2 million at the end of June 2026, 159,000 lower than a year earlier.
Is Poland’s population ageing?
Yes. In the 2025 GUS-based age table, 21.1% of the population is aged 65+, while 14.2% is aged 0-14.
Why are migration values different across sources?
Statistics Poland’s permanent-residence migration balance, temporary stays abroad, international migrant stock, and UN model-based net migration measure different population movements or stocks and should be read separately.