Poland: public finances

What is Poland's budget deficit?

Poland's general government deficit was PLN 283,969 million in 2025, equal to 7.3% of GDP, according to Statistics Poland's fiscal notification for 2022-2025.

This is the EU-defined measure, which covers central and local government and social security funds. It is the figure the European Commission uses under the excessive deficit procedure, whose reference value is 3% of GDP. It differs from the deficit of the state budget alone, which the Ministry of Finance plans and reports in its budget laws. The IMF projects a deficit of 7.2% of GDP for 2026.

Official sources: GUS: General government deficit and debt 2022-2025 · IMF DataMapper: Net lending/borrowing, Poland · Ministry of Finance

What is Poland's public debt?

Poland's general government debt was PLN 2,335,153 million at the end of 2025, equal to 59.7% of GDP, according to Statistics Poland's fiscal notification.

This is the EU definition of debt, measured at face value across all levels of government; the EU reference value is 60% of GDP. The IMF World Economic Outlook projects the ratio at 66.6% in 2026 and 70.7% in 2027. Poland's constitution and public finance law use a different, national definition of public debt, which the Ministry of Finance reports and which is lower because it excludes some off-budget funds.

Official sources: GUS: General government deficit and debt 2022-2025 · IMF DataMapper: Gross debt, Poland

What is Poland's constitutional debt limit?

Poland's constitution forbids borrowing that would take state public debt above three-fifths, or 60%, of annual GDP. In its explanation of the Fiscal Council's opinion of 27 August 2026 on the 2027 draft budget, the Ministry of Finance states that the Fiscal Council confirmed the draft keeps to this rule.

The constitutional limit applies to the national measure of state public debt, not to the EU measure of general government debt that Statistics Poland reports, so the two ratios can differ by several points. The public finance law adds lower thresholds that trigger corrective steps. The Fiscal Council publishes its opinions on each draft budget.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Explanation on the Fiscal Council opinion on the 2027 budget (Polish) · Fiscal Council · GUS: Deficit and debt 2022-2025

What is Poland's debt to GDP ratio?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 59.7% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 18th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 46.9% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 76th of 185.

What is Poland's budget deficit?

According to the IMF, general government net lending or borrowing in Poland was -7.3% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at -0.2% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at -7.4% of GDP. It is 49th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -2.4% of GDP. Worldwide: 170th of 188.

What is Poland's government revenue?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Poland was 43.6% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 16th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 41.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 27th of 187.

What is Poland's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Poland at 50.9% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 7th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 43.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 16th of 186.

What is Poland's tax to GDP ratio?

17.4% of GDP: that is central government tax revenue in Poland for 2024, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.6% of GDP (2015) to 19.0% of GDP (2021). Europe & Central Asia median: 20.8% of GDP; Poland is 33rd highest of 42. Worldwide: 51st of 92.

How much does Poland spend on its military?

In 2025, military spending in Poland was 4.5% of GDP, according to SIPRI. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 2.0% of GDP; Poland is 5th highest of 46. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 11th highest.