GUS Reveals New Experimental Data on Poland’s Population Figures
Poland’s population reached approximately 38.8 million people by the end of 2025, according to new experimental data from Statistics Poland (GUS), which highlights a significant rise in foreign...
Poland’s population reached approximately 38.8 million people by the end of 2025, according to new experimental data from Statistics Poland (GUS), which highlights a significant rise in foreign residents.
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Methodology Behind Experimental Population Estimates
Statistics Poland (GUS) presented experimental data on the size and structure of the population at the 6th Congress of Polish Statistics in Warsaw. These results are not considered official population statistics due to their experimental nature and reliance on a different methodology.
Unlike official statistics that track births, deaths, and migration, this model counts individuals holding a PESEL number who demonstrated “life signs” in administrative registers as of December 31, 2025.
Population Growth and Geographic Distribution
The total population rose by nearly 40,000 compared to the previous year, reaching 38.8 million. The number of foreign residents increased by nearly 215,000, totaling approximately 2.3 million.
Over 8 million people reside in provincial cities, with Warsaw leading at over 2 million residents, followed by Kraków with nearly 900,000. Gorzów Wielkopolski recorded the lowest number among these cities, with over 130,000 residents.
Demographic Trends: Seniors vs. Youth
An aging population is evident, with the highest concentration of people aged 60 and over found in the Świętokrzyskie, Podlaskie, and Lubelskie regions. In parts of the Hajnówka district, seniors account for over 40 percent of the population.
Youth populations under 14 are most concentrated in the Pomeranian, Lesser Poland, and Greater Poland regions, as well as suburban areas surrounding major cities. Nationwide, only 3 percent of municipalities reported a higher percentage of children than seniors.
Concentration of Foreign Citizens
Foreigners account for nearly 6 percent of the total population, with Ukrainian citizens representing 73 percent of this group. The highest concentration of foreign residents is found in the Lower Silesian and Masovian voivodeships.
Urban centers act as magnets for foreign nationals, with Wrocław leading in foreign population share at 19.5 percent, followed by Warsaw at 14.5 percent, Poznań at 12.5 percent, and Kraków at 11.3 percent.