Poland 20 years in the European Union. Here are the five biggest challenges for the next 10 years

In a special report, analysts from PKO BP took a closer look at Poland’s 20 years in the European Union. According to experts, since joining the EU, our country has regularly been among the countries with the strongest economic growth, and in periods of crises, such as the pandemic or energy crisis, Poland has been one of the most resilient economies.

Cumulative growth of Poland’s real GDP per capita in 2022-2024 PKO BP

The biggest challenges facing Poland in the EU. Poland is in the tail of energy efficiency. High CO2 emissions

Analysts from the largest Polish bank mention, among others: the main challenges that Poland faces in the next 10 years. Firstly, according to experts, the Polish economy is one of the most energy-intensive ones in the EU. Low energy efficiency, which is typical of the economies of the Central and Eastern European region, was one of the reasons for the sharp increase in inflation during the recent energy crisis. Our country also lags behind the EU average in terms of the emission intensity of the economy, and progress in reducing CO 2 emissions is slower than the average in the European Union.

CO2 emissions per capita PKO BP/press materials

Air quality is one of the worst in Europe

The share of low-emission sources in total energy consumption in Poland is significantly lower than the EU average. Despite improvement in recent years, the distance between Poland and the leaders in low-emission remains very large. Our country also stands out negatively in terms of air quality. Its dust pollution is one of the highest in the EU. According to analysts, improvement in this area, related to the change of heating sources in homes, is slow.

Air pollution with suspended dust PKO BP/Press materials

Poles are getting old. A challenge for the labor market

Another challenge mentioned by experts that Poland will face in the next decade is an aging society. Polish society will soon go from one of the youngest in the EU to one of the oldest. The aging population is a serious challenge for the labor market and public finances, related to the burden on the pension system and health care costs.

Median age of the population in Poland PKO BP/Press materials

The lowest expenditure on health care in the EU

Low expenditure on health care, coupled with a rapidly aging society, limits access to treatment and prevention, which negatively affects the health of Polish women and men – say experts from PKO BP. According to them, health education and encouraging preventive examinations and vaccinations are also an important challenge, the popularity of which has long remained low among the elderly and has been gradually decreasing among parents of children for several years.

Public spending on health care PKO BP/Press materials

Poland in the EU. Low expenditure on research and development

Expenditures on research and development in Poland are lower than the EU average and much lower than among innovation leaders. Given the limitations of the labor market, improving the efficiency of the economy is a condition for further rapid development, say analysts. They add that despite the significant improvement that occurred after accession to the EU, perceived corruption in Poland is still higher than on average in other EU countries.

Research and development expenditure PKO BP/Press materials

20 years of Poland in the European Union. On May 1, 2004, the EU “grew” by 10 countries

May 1 marks the 20th anniversary of the largest enlargement in the history of the European Union. On this day in 2004, 10 countries joined the Community – Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, the Baltic countries – Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Slovenia from the former Yugoslavia, as well as Cyprus and Malta.

The ceremonies accepting the new countries took place in Dublin, because at that time Ireland was in charge of the work of the Union. The 10 countries were welcomed by then Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. – This is a new beginning for Europeans. A day of hope and possibility. This expansion was possible thanks to your efforts, said the head of the Irish government then. The ceremonial enlargement on May 1, 2004 was preceded by many years of difficult negotiations, which ended at the EU summit in December 2002 in Copenhagen. – It was a historic necessity and everyone was aware at this summit. The finale in the form of ending the negotiations and the decision to enlarge by 10 countries had to come – said Piotr Serafin, acting Polish ambassador to the EU, who took part in the Copenhagen summit, in a recent interview for Polish Radio.

Poland’s accession to the European Union accelerated the development of the Polish economy – these are the conclusions of the report of the Polish Economic Institute. In addition, thanks to joining the Community, we gained access to a market of 450 million inhabitants. Institute expert Marek Wąsiński said that if Poland had not joined the EU, it would have developed much slower – by approximately 8-9 years. Currently, the Polish economy measured by GDP is twice as large as it was 20 years ago.