Quick facts
Poland population overview
Poland is the 8th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 37,915,967 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.4% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 394 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 284,370 births (7.5 per 1,000 people) and 420,867 deaths (11.1 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 7,583 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 29,637,450 in 1960 to 36,435,861 in 2025 — a change of +22.9%, or +0.3% per year on average. It peaked at 38,663,481 in 1998 and has declined 2.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 43 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.2 years; women have on average 1.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.5% of residents are under 15 and 20.8% are 65 or older (2025); 60.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Warsaw. Poland covers 313,930 km², giving a population density of about 120 people per km². GDP was $1.04T in 2025 — about $28,420 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Poland population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 37,801,066 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 37,915,967 |
| World rank | #42 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #8 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.5% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 284,370 |
| Deaths per year est. | 420,867 |
| Net migration per year est. | -7,583 |
| Birth rate | 7.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 11.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 93.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 43 years |
| Life expectancy | 79.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 60.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 313,930 km² |
| Population density | 120 per km² |
| Capital | Warsaw |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.04T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $28,420 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Poland population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 37,801,066 | – | – |
| 2025 | 36,435,861 | -123,372 | -0.3% |
| 2024 | 36,559,233 | -128,120 | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 36,687,353 | -134,396 | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 36,821,749 | -159,810 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 36,981,559 | -534,189 | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 37,515,748 | -470,664 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 37,986,412 | -56,382 | 0% |
| 2010 | 38,042,794 | -122,651 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 38,165,445 | -93,184 | 0% |
| 2000 | 38,258,629 | -336,369 | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 38,594,998 | +484,216 | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 38,110,782 | +908,897 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 37,201,885 | +1,627,735 | +0.9% |
| 1980 | 35,574,150 | +1,558,951 | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 34,015,199 | +1,350,899 | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 32,664,300 | +1,219,350 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 31,444,950 | +1,807,500 | +1.2% |
| 1960 | 29,637,450 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Poland
Population over time
- From 29,637,450 in 1960 to 37,801,066 today — up 27.5%.
- Population peaked at 38,663,481 in 1998 and is down 2.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.4 years (2024), up 10.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 6.9 births vs 11.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4.3 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.5% of the population is under 15 and 20.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 276.1 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 478.2 Mt in 1987 — down 42.3% since.
- Per person: 7.55 t in 2024, vs 9.46 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,646.7 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 2.2% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 15.2% of final energy in 2021 (+12.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 31.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 29% to 31.1% since 1990 — roughly 6,535 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 60.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 48.1% in 1960 (+12 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1965.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 17.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,456 m³ in 2022, down 18.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.04T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 115.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $28,420 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 88.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 138 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Poland in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Poland in 2026?
As of October 2026, Poland has an estimated population of 37,801,066. The United Nations estimated 37,915,967 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Poland growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.4% per year — roughly 394 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 284,370 births and 420,867 deaths, with net migration of -7,583.
What is the population density of Poland?
About 120 people per square kilometre: 37,801,066 people living on 313,930 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Poland?
The median age is 43 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.2 years. 14.5% of the population is under 15 and 20.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Poland rank by population?
Poland is the 42nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 8th in Europe, with 0.5% of the global population.
How has the population of Poland changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 29,637,450; by 2025 it had grown to 36,435,861 (+22.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MalaysiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.