Poland Demographics

What is the population of Poland?

Population	38,282,325
Population: Male/Female	total: 38,746,310 male: 18,441,415 female: 20,304,895
Population Growth Rate	-1%
Population Distribution	population concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk
Urban Population	urban population: 60.2% of total population rate of urbanization: -0.16% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas	1.798 million WARSAW (capital), 769,000 Krakow
Nationality Noun	noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish
Ethnic Groups	Polish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7%
Language Note	Polish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2%; note - data represent the language spoken at home; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Poland ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2009 recognizing Kashub as a regional language, Czech, Hebrew, Yiddish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, and Ukrainian as national minority languages, and Karaim, Lemko, Romani (Polska Roma and Bergitka Roma), and Tatar as ethnic minority languages

What is school like in Poland?

Classroom

A typical school in Poland was built during the decade of socialism and is at least 30 years old. The appearance of every construction established between 1945 and 1989 can be described as a cubic made of homogeneous concrete. The range of kids enrolled in schoolhouses is from 2000 to 10,000. This number is systematically decreasing, mainly due to negative population growth. Classrooms are modestly furnished and can accommodate up to 40 students. The layout of every room at school looks almost identically, consisting of desks, chairs, and a table in front. Of course, some classrooms are designated for chemistry, biology, physics, and informatics, where additional equipment like microscopes, computers, or projectors can be found.

Education Culture

Poland is one of the main European countries' leaders in education progress. Since 2000, the number of students who graduated from Universities has risen by 133%, while the European norm is 33%. The role of education in society has been growing systematically since the fall of socialism. This situation is caused by the needs of the developing industry. More and more parents understand this situation and force children to continue their education. Even if they finish their education in High School, there is always a need to take unique courses to improve their qualification.

Additionally, unemployment has been above 10 % for about ten years. This means that a low level of education makes it impossible to find a job. The education system perceives exact science as something more valuable than the humanities, so art is not treated seriously in school. Most schools don't provide any additional lessons related to music or drama.

Learning

A day at school is almost the same for younger and older children, but some differences exist. It depends on the level of classes they attend. A short day with few lessons, typically no more than 5, is reserved for courses from 1 to 3. The length of classes is 45 minutes and is obligatory for the whole education system. The breaks last for 5 to 25 minutes. The longest is used for lunch, but only 50% of children eat lunch at school. Meals can be bought at school, but most kids bring their lunch prepared by their parents. A primary school consists of nine years of teaching and is divided into three parts. The last one ends with the general exam, which classifies them to high school and is passed by about 90%. The teaching at primary school is focused on maths, informatics, environment, music, one foreign language, and Polish. The schedule does not overstrain children and facilitates their return home earlier. All lessons are in Polish, and there is no exception to this rule. Children cannot be taught in other primary languages at schools. A statistical school can contain up to 3000 students, and it is recommended that the number of kids in one room should not be greater than 30. There are no prescribed uniforms for children. Teachers are usually strict. They pay attention to behavior, punctuality, and cleanliness.

The principals of schools want to change the image of education. It is known that children do not like to go to school. One of the main reasons for this is the relationship between a teacher and a child, which is very stiff. According to children's reports, most teachers are harsh and unpleasant, which is often reflected in their results. Teachers are asked to connect with care, warmth, and trust for children to improve school achievement and children's comfort. All these efforts are focused on better relationships between students and teachers. It is also believed that making kids feel secure and valued would be beneficial in the future. Schools are constantly evolving, but some rules are permanent for teachers and children, namely proper etiquette. Kids call for a teacher, starting with Mr, Misses, or Professor. Teachers always refer to the first name of a child.

To School

Most kids' schools are not located far from their place of living, so they usually go on foot or by bicycle. Getting to school in urban areas is by public transport like buses and trams. Children attending grades 1 to 3 use orange-painted school buses called Gimbus. The local authority provides this kind of transportation, which is the best way in rural areas where distances from school to villages are large. In some cases, children are driven by their parents, but only when the school and the parent's workplace are not far from each other.

What are the health conditions in Poland?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 72.8 years female: 80.9 years
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population	12.2
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births	total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP	6.5%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population	3.77
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population	6.5
Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk	degree of risk: intermediate vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved	improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population
Tobacco Use	total: 24% male: 27.9% female: 20.1%
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	2
Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)	27.9
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49	62.3%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.32
Gross reproduction rate	1
Obesity - adult prevalence rate	23.1%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved	improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population
Alcohol consumption per capita	total: 10.96 liters of pure alcohol beer: 5.72 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.88 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 4.36 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol
Currently married women (ages 15-49)	56.6%

How long do people live in Poland?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 72.8 years female: 80.9 years
Median Age	total: 42.9 years male: 41.5 years female: 44.3 years
Gross reproduction rate	1
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	62.3%
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	2
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.32

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population	8
Median Age	total: 42.9 years male: 41.5 years female: 44.3 years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population	-6.2
Population Growth Rate	-1%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female
Age Structure	0-14 years: 14.2% (male 2,830,048/female 2,676,300) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 12,513,402/female 13,036,977) 65 years and over: 19.8% (male 3,097,965/female 4,591,618)
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	62.3%
Gross reproduction rate	1
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	2
Mother's mean age at first birth	27.9
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.32

What are the health conditions in Poland?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical care is available in Poland, but hospital facilities and nursing support are not comparable to American standards. Physicians are generally well trained, but specific emergency services may be lacking in certain regions, especially in Poland's small towns and rural areas. Younger doctors generally speak English, but nursing staff usually do not. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medications are generally available, although they may not be specific U.S. brand-name drugs.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.5%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

6.5

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

3.77

What is school like in Poland?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP	5.2%
Literacy - female	99.8%
Literacy - male	99.8%
Literacy - total population	99.8%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)	total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years

Can people in Poland read?

Literacy - female	99.8%
Literacy - male	99.8%
Literacy - total population	99.8%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write

Is Poland a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

While Poland generally has a low rate of violent crime, the incidence of street crime, which sometimes involves violence, is moderate. Major cities have higher rates of crime against residents and foreign visitors than other areas.

Organized groups of thieves and pick-pockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, and on trains, trams, and buses in major cities. Thieves often target overnight trains. Most pick-pocketing on trains occurs while boarding or disembarking. In a common scenario, a group of well-dressed young men surround you in the narrow aisle of the train, jostling and pick-pocketing you as they supposedly attempt to get around you. You should guard your passport, money, credit cards, and cell phone. The number of car thefts and carjacking has significantly declined, but theft from vehicles and attempted highway robberies remain a concern. Be wary of people indicating you should pull over or signaling that something is wrong with your car. If you pull over, you may find yourself suddenly surrounded by thieves from another vehicle. If you encounter someone indicating that there is trouble with your car, continue driving until you reach a safe spot (a crowded gas station, supermarket, or even police station) to inspect your vehicle. There have been incidents of thieves opening or breaking passenger-side doors and windows in slow or stopped traffic to take purses or briefcases from the passenger seat. Remember to keep windows closed and doors locked, and use parking garages and anti-theft devices. You should not leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles, as this increases the opportunity for theft.

U.S. citizens of Asian and African descent have reported being targets of verbal harassment and physical attacks while traveling in Poland.

Under Polish law, if asked by Polish police, you must verify your identity by presenting a travel document, a residence permit card, or an identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, the Border Guards (Stra%u017C Graniczna) have increased random travel document checks on trains originating from or transiting border countries. Border Guards may appear in plain clothes when requesting passports and other travel documents, which are scanned into a handheld scanner for verification. If you are a tourist, this means that you are expected to carry your passport with you. Please ensure the security of your passport while traveling to prevent incidents of pick-pocketing or theft. Keep a copy of your passport biodata page (and any pages with valid visas) in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this can help you when applying for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen.

You should change money only at banks or legitimate money kiosks. A legitimate offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is extremely rare and would almost certainly be a scam. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout major cities in Poland. Most Polish ATMs offer instructions in multiple languages and allow access to U.S. bank accounts.

The press has reported that criminal organizations have illegally obtained users' ATM card numbers and PIN codes by electronically "skimming" the information from victims' cards at public ATMs. Try to use machines at more secure or heavily traveled and monitored locations, such as commercial banks, large hotels, shopping malls, and airports. You should notify your bank of all international travel before you leave the United States, and monitor your personal bank account after traveling.

Polish bars and dance clubs are generally safe for the vast majority of visitors. However, as in many cities, people may approach you with offers of illicit drugs, which are against the law in Poland. Be mindful that security personnel at nightclubs could respond more forcefully than at similar venues in the United States. Whereas casinos and gaming establishments are government-regulated, some are affiliated with, or have attracted the interest of, organized crime.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only is it illegal to bring such items into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking Polish or EU law.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Poland, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. It is illegal in Poland to take pictures of military buildings and other national security or restricted objects. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Likewise, riding a bike while under the influence is also illegal and can result in being jailed, paying steep fines and banned from riding a bike in Poland for half a year or more. Criminal penalties in Poland vary from the United States. There are some things that might be legal in Poland, but illegal in the United States, for which you can be prosecuted under U.S. law, such as buying pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in Poland is a crime prosecutable in Poland and in the United States. If you break local laws in Poland, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not wherever you visit.

Penalties are severe for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Poland, and you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines if convicted.

If you are arrested in Poland, the authorities are required to notify the nearestU.S.embassy or consulate of your arrest, but this does not always happen quickly. If you are concerned that the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the policeor prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. This pertains in particular to dual U.S.-Polish nationals, since Poland does not recognize (although it does not prohibit) dual nationality. A person holding Polish and U.S. citizenship is deemed by Poland to be a Polish citizen.