Poland: cost of living

Why is the cost of living rising in Poland?

Consumer prices in Poland were 4.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Statistics Poland CPI release for September 2026. Transport added the most to the rise, at 17.9% higher than a year earlier and 1.78 percentage points of the total, followed by housing and energy, up 5.1% and adding 1.04 points.

Each category's contribution depends on its price change and its weight in household spending; food and drink have the largest weight, at about 26%, and housing and energy about 20%. Clothing and footwear prices fell 3.7% over the year. The release page carries the headline figures.

Official sources: GUS: Consumer price indices in September 2026 (PDF) · GUS: Consumer price indices in September 2026

Are food prices rising in Poland?

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages in Poland were 0.4% lower in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Statistics Poland CPI release. This lowered the overall inflation rate of 4.1% by 0.11 percentage points.

Food is the largest category in the Polish consumer basket, at about 26% of spending in the weights GUS uses. Individual items can move very differently from the category as a whole, particularly fresh vegetables and fruit, which vary with harvests. The release tables, available as a spreadsheet, give monthly and annual changes for detailed product groups.

Official sources: GUS: CPI September 2026 (PDF) · GUS: CPI September 2026 tables (XLSX)

How much have energy and housing bills risen in Poland?

Prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category were 5.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Statistics Poland CPI release. They rose 0.8% over the month.

The category covers rents, water and waste charges, electricity, gas, heating and solid fuels, and makes up about a fifth of household spending in the CPI weights. Household electricity and gas tariffs are approved by the Energy Regulatory Office, so changes often happen in steps when new tariffs take effect. The CPI measures the change in prices, not the size of a typical bill.

Official sources: GUS: CPI September 2026 (PDF) · Energy Regulatory Office

What is the poverty rate in Poland?

In 2025, 5.3% of people in Poland lived in extreme poverty, up from 5.2% in 2024, according to Statistics Poland's estimates of economic poverty risk. The relative poverty rate was 13.5% and the statutory poverty rate 8.1%, up from 2.6% a year earlier.

The three rates use different thresholds. Extreme poverty uses the subsistence minimum, the level below which survival is at risk. Relative poverty uses half of average household spending. Statutory poverty uses the income threshold that entitles people to social assistance; GUS notes that the jump reflects the raising of these thresholds, not a sudden change in living conditions. All three are based on the household budget survey.

Official sources: GUS: Economic poverty risk in Poland in 2025

What is the inflation rate in Poland?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 3.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from -0.9% (2015) to 14.4% (2022). It is 22nd highest of 48 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7%. World rank, highest first: 59th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Poland?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Poland was $10,700, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $11,266; Poland is 27th highest of 44. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 35th highest.

What share of people in Poland live in extreme poverty?

0.2%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Poland for 2023, according to the World Bank. The peak was 1.4% in 2005 and the low 0.1% in 2019. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.4%, and Poland placed 21st highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 44th of 59.

How many people in Poland are poor?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Poland at 13.5% in 2025. No year since 2020 has been higher.

What is income inequality in Poland?

In 2023, the Gini index in Poland was 28.5, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 31.5, and Poland placed 25th highest of 34. Of 59 countries with 2023 data, 48th highest.

What is food insecurity in Poland?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Poland at 2.7% in 2024. No year since 2015 has been lower. It is 38th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.6%. World rank, highest first: 128th of 135.