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Country Snapshot - Poland  

HighlightsRankingsQuantitative DataLegislationAnalytical WorkProject Portfolio
  • Eastern Europe & Central Asia
  • Upper middle income
  • 38,177,910 (2011)
  • 12,420
Poland Flag
Below are select highlights for the data included in the profile.

  1. Poland is ranked 70th out of 183 economies in Doing Business 2011, recording a 3-point improvement compared to last year.
  2. According to the latest Enterprise Surveys (2009), the three top constraints to firm investment in Poland to be Tax Rates, Inadequately Educated Workforce and Practices of the Informal Sector.
  3. According to the latest World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Report (2009), Poland ranks near the 80th percentile for the Aggregate Indicator. For the indicators of Government Effectiveness, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption, Poland ranks near the 70th percentile. For Regulatory Quality, Poland rates near the 80th percentile.
  4. Foreign ownership of companies in Poland is limited in 5 of the 33 industry sectors measured by the Investing Across Sectors indicators. In particular, as in other EU countries, Polish laws impose a maximum share of 49% for foreign capital in air transportation companies. In addition, foreign capital participation is limited to 49% in the airport and port operation sectors.
  5. Poland’s economic freedom score is 64.1, making its economy the 68th freest in the 2011 Index. Its score is 0.9 point better than last year, reflecting notable improvements in investment freedom, property rights, and freedom from corruption. Poland is ranked 31st out of 43 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is above the world average. Confirming its transformation into a fast-growing, dynamic economy, Poland escaped the global economic downturn largely unscathed and was the only country in Europe to escape recession in 2009. Openness to trade and foreign investment has fueled a developing entrepreneurial sector. Poland’s increasingly competitive financial system and low corporate tax rates have spurred private-sector dynamism. Unreformed and rigid labor regulations contribute to significant structural unemployment as well as underemployment.