Between 1990 and 2022, Poland improved its standing in most international indices measuring economic and social development. According to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), the country advanced from 45th place in 1990 to 36th place in 2022. This position is notably higher than where Poland ranks based solely on its economic output. For instance, in the 2022 GDP per capita rankings (adjusted for purchasing power parity), Poland was 40th among 193 countries.

These findings come from a report by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), titled “Social Development in Poland: Theoretical Foundations and Methodological Assumptions for Measuring Social Development.” The report emphasizes that Poland’s standing in international social development rankings consistently exceeds its ranking based only on economic indicators, particularly GDP. This underscores the limitations of GDP as a comprehensive measure of societal well-being.

The concept of social development, as first defined by the United Nations in 1990, focuses on three core areas: health, education, and standard of living. Since then, broader measures have been adopted. In 2008, the European Commission proposed the inclusion of environmental factors and subjective quality of life. The OECD’s Better Life Index (BLI), introduced in 2011, expanded this further to include areas such as income, employment, health care, social connections, environment, governance, security, and civil rights.

Education, well-being, and health are among the most common components in modern social development indices. Numerous studies confirm that education is closely linked to income, health outcomes, and overall life satisfaction. Similarly, good health supports both educational achievement and workforce participation.

While GDP per capita is still widely used due to its standardized methodology and its general correlation with better life outcomes, the report stresses that GDP alone is not an objective measure of social development. Higher GDP is often associated with longer life expectancy and more years spent in education. However, many social development indicators—such as life satisfaction, housing quality, and social ties—are not directly influenced by GDP growth. In some cases, countries with high GDP may experience rising inequality or stagnating living standards for large parts of the population.

According to Dr. Paula Kukołowicz, head of the sustainability team at PIE, GDP does not account for how wealth is distributed within society. As a result, a country may show strong average economic figures while many citizens experience declining financial conditions. This is particularly evident in some resource-rich countries where economic gains are not evenly shared. Social development, she argues, must be assessed more holistically, especially in developing countries like India, which see rapid economic growth alongside persistent poverty.

Poland’s own experience reflects this distinction. In nearly all major international social development indices, Poland ranks higher than it does in economic rankings. In 2022, the country placed 36th in the UN’s HDI, while it ranked 52nd in GDP per capita and 40th in GDP adjusted for purchasing power. Within the OECD’s Better Life Index, Poland held 24th place overall but was only 29th in GDP per capita.

Education plays a central role in improving Poland’s performance in these rankings. In the BLI’s education category, Poland ranked 6th among 41 countries, behind only Finland, Australia, Sweden, Estonia, and Slovenia. This category evaluates factors such as average years of schooling, performance in international assessments like PISA, and the proportion of the adult population with at least secondary education.

However, Poland scores lower in the health category, which negatively affects its overall social development ranking. Despite these challenges, the country’s steady rise in development indices suggests broader improvements in quality of life that are not fully captured by economic output alone.

Source: PIE

As of early 2025, there have been no reported cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Poland. In response to outbreaks in neighbouring countries—Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia—the Polish government has intensified its border controls to prevent the spread of the virus. Measures include comprehensive inspections of all transports entering the country from affected regions, particularly at the borders with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Imports of animals and animal products from infected areas are not permitted.

During a recent meeting of the Council of Ministers, Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski provided an update on the situation and outlined the ministry’s response, which includes the formation of a crisis management team to monitor and act on developments. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the government’s early actions were more proactive than those taken at the EU level, and have so far proven effective.

Although Poland has not seen a case of foot-and-mouth disease since 1971 and the disease poses no risk to humans, the government is prepared for multiple scenarios. Preventative efforts continue, with the aim of maintaining the country’s disease-free status.

The government also approved financial support for farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2024. A total of PLN 600 million will be allocated as compensation: PLN 350 million for drought-related losses and PLN 250 million for those caused by flooding. While this aid may not fully offset all damages, the government stated that it was based on a thorough assessment of the impact.

In addition, Prime Minister Tusk confirmed the continuation of the country’s nuclear power programme. A revised agreement has been reached with the American consortium Westinghouse-Bechtel regarding the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant in Lubiatowo-Kopalino, in the Choczewo municipality. The new terms are intended to better protect Polish interests, including more favourable conditions for project execution, clearer timelines, and defined penalties for delays. The previous negotiation process, conducted under the former administration, lacked oversight from the Attorney General’s Office, which has now been addressed.

The updated framework agreement allows for the continuation of design work and the administrative procedures necessary to begin construction. Geological surveys and permitting processes are ongoing. The first reactor is expected to be operational by 2036, with construction beginning in 2028. The broader nuclear strategy includes the development of two plants with a combined capacity of 6 to 9 GW. The government plans to allocate PLN 60.2 billion from the state budget toward the programme.