“ Structural reforms to boost productivity and tackle longer-term challenges from ageing and the climate transition will be important.”
Part of the European Union, Poland is at the heart of Europe and connects Asia to Western Europe with excellent transport infrastructure. Four main European trade corridors intersect in Poland. Three key rail corridors pass through Poland’ s territory.
Poland has become a logistical gateway to Europe with access to the Baltic Sea, bordering Germany, with a well-developed road and rail infrastructure, and is a key distribution base for companies operating in many markets. It is a key European logistical hub; the Deepwater Container Terminal Gdańsk( DCT Gdańsk) and the Central Port in Gdańsk are two examples. In 2024, Poland maintained its leading position among Central and Eastern European countries in terms of the size of modern warehouse space— as much as 34.5 million m ².
Poland’ s economy has doubled in size over the past two decades as it grew faster than neighbouring Central European countries and at twice the OECD average. However, progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Poland has been slow and the challenge of reducing the economy’ s reliance on carbon-based energy is considerable. A draft National Climate and Energy Plan 2030, published last year, is an important step forward in terms of ambition and planned policies.
An eye on the economy
MADE IN POLAND
Economic forecasts for Poland, as well as manufacturing activity and market challenges, come under the spotlight.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund( IMF) concluded its 2024 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Poland on 21 January 2025.
“ Economic growth is estimated to have accelerated in 2024 to 2.8 per cent, driven by a rebound in domestic demand mainly from private consumption rising due to strong nominal wage growth and lower inflation. This is partially offset by net exports becoming a drag on growth as higher imports from increased consumption outpace exports hindered by weak Euro Area demand. The outlook is positive, further supported by expected absorption of Next Generation EU( NGEU) funds, with growth projected at around 3.5 per cent in 2025 and 2026. Over the medium-term, as the impact of NGEU funds absorption unwinds, growth is expected to moderate to slightly below three per cent largely due to population ageing,” said the IMF in January this year.
Poland’ s economy has doubled in size over the past two decades as it grew faster than neighbouring Central European countries and at twice the OECD average
“ The fiscal deficit is estimated to have widened to 5.9 per cent of GDP in 2024 amidst a moderately expansionary fiscal stance( 0.3 percent of GDP) as permanent increases in public sector wages and social benefits outweighed savings from the lower cost of energy support measures. The deficit is expected to remain elevated in 2025 at 5.6 per cent of GDP, in part due to high defence spending. The authorities have announced fiscal consolidation over the medium-term aiming for a deficit of 2.9 per cent of GDP by 2028. That said, some of the consolidation measures remain to be identified. Staff projects, based on measures identified so far, that the deficit will decline to 3.5 per cent of GDP over the medium-term with public debt stabilising at around 65 percent of GDP,” it continued.
The IMF confirmed that inflation has declined considerably from 2023 but remained well above the central bank inflation target, despite the tight policy stance. Core inflation remained elevated in the context of strong wages growth amid a still-tight labour market.
44 | ismr. net | ISMR May 2025