Poland faces a demographic crisis with a population drop of nearly 130,000, highlighting urban and rural declines.
Population Decline Across Regions
The latest data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) paints a grim picture for Poland. The population has decreased by nearly 130,000 people compared to last year. Fourteen out of sixteen voivodeships and 270 out of 314 counties experienced a decline. The most significant drop was in Silesia, while only two voivodeships saw population growth: Lesser Poland and Pomerania.
Youth and Reproduction Trends
Today’s 20-40-year-olds in Poland are increasingly choosing not to have children, driven by personal rather than financial reasons. Those who do decide to have children often limit their family size to one or two for convenience. This growing trend of individualism could lead to a significant population decline over the next 30-50 years.
Urban and Rural Population Shifts
Urban areas have seen a substantial decrease, with Łódź, Bydgoszcz, and Poznań losing the most residents. Conversely, rural areas in Pomerania and Lower Silesia have experienced slight growth. Overall, the urban population decreased by 97,504, and rural areas saw a reduction of 32,315 residents.
These trends are alarming and suggest that if no changes occur, Poland may face severe demographic challenges in the future.