Statistical information Poland 1998

Poland in the World
top of pageBackground: Poland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite country following the war but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of an independent trade union 'Solidarity' that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. Complete freedom came with the implosion of the USSR in 1991. A 'shock therapy' program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe boosting hopes for early acceptance to the EU.
top of pageLocation: Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map reference:
EuropeAreaTotal: 312,683 km²
Land: 304,510 km²
Water: 8,173 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundariesTotal: 2,888 km
Border countries: (6) Belarus 605 km;
, Czech Republic 658 km;
, Germany 456 km;
, Lithuania 91 km;
, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km;
, Slovakia 444 km;
, Ukraine 428 kmCoastline: 491 km
Maritime claimsExclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
Extremes highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt
Land useArable land: 47%
Permanent crops: 1%
Permanent pastures: 13%
Forests and woodland: 29%
Other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,000 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: NA
GeographyNote: historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
top of pagePopulation: 38,606,922 (July 1998 est.)
Growth rate: -0.04% (1998 est.)
NationalityNoun: Pole(s)
Adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)
Languages: Polish
Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 21% (male 4,075,959; female 3,883,778)
15-64 years: 68% (male 12,956,689; female 13,129,495)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,732,788; female 2,828,213) (July 1998 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: -0.04% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 9.79 births/1000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.76 deaths/1000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1000 population (1998 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes
International agreements party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Law of the Sea
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 13.18 deaths/1000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 72.77 years
Male: 68.6 years
Female: 77.16 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 99%
Male: 99%
Female: 98% (1978 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Poland
Conventional short form: Poland
Local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
Local short form: Polska
Government type: democratic state
Capital: Warsaw
Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular_wojewodztwo; Biala Podlaska, Bialystok, Bielsko Biala, Bydgoszcz, Chelm, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora, Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica, Leszno, Lodz, Lomza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroleka, Pila, Piotrkow, Plock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Slupsk, Suwalki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg, Tarnow, Torun, Walbrzych, Warszawa, Wloclawek, Wroclaw, Zamosc, Zielona Gora
Dependent areasIndependence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791; Independence Day, November 11 (1918)
Constitution: 16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly on 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997
Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts although under the new constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal ruling will become final as of October 1999; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995): ead of
Government: Prime Minister Jerzy BUZEK (since NA October 1997), Deputy Prime Ministers Leszek BALCEROWICZ (since 31 October 1997), Janusz TOMASZEWSKI (since 31 October 1997)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election first round held 5 November 1995, second round held 19 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 2000); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm
Election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI elected president; percent of legislative vote, second round_Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 51.7%, Lech WALESA 48.3%; Jerzy BUZEK selected prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms)
Elections: Sejm elections last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001); Senate_last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001)
Election results: Sejm_percent of vote by party_AWS 33.8%, SLD 27.1%, UW 13.4%, PSL 7.3%, ROP 5.6%, German Minority 0.4%, other 12.4%; seats by party_AWS 201, SLD 164, UW 60, PSL 27, ROP 6, German Minority 2; Senate_percent of vote by party_NA; seats by party_AWS 51, SLD 28, UW 8, ROP 5, PSL 3, independents 5; note_seats by party in the Sejm as of December 1997:AWS 200, SLD 164, UW 60, PSL 26, ROP 4, German Minority 2, other 4
Note: four seats are constitutionally assigned to ethnic German parties
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period; Constitutional Tribunal, judges are chosen by the Sejm for a 9-year term
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
In the us chancery: 2,640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20,009
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 234-3,800 through 3,802
In the us fax: [1] (202) 328-6,271
In the us consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel FRIED
From the us embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-054, Warsaw
From the us mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20,521-5,010 (pouch)
From the us telephone: [48] (22) 628-30-41
From the us fax: [48] (22) 628-82-98
From the us consulates general: Krakow
Flag description
: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Poland today stands out as one of the most successful and open transition economies. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms marked the rapid development of a private sector now responsible for at least two-thirds of economic activity. In contrast to the vibrant expansion of private non-farm activity, the large agriculture component remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. The government's determination to enter the EU as soon as possible affects all aspects of its economic policies. Improving Poland's worsening current account deficit also is a priority. To date, the government has resisted pressure for protectionist solutions and continues to support regional free trade initiatives. The government export strategy emphasizes a more aggressive export assistance program. Warsaw continues to hold the budget deficit to less than 2% of GDP. Further progress on public finance depends mainly on comprehensive reform of the social welfare system and privatization of Poland's remaining state sector. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel) has been delayed. Long-awaited privatizations in aviation, energy, and telecommunications are scheduled for 1998.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 6.9% (1997 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $7,250 (1997 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 6.6%
Industry: 34.9%
Services: 58.5% (1996 est.)
Agriculture products: potatoes, milk, cheese, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry and eggs; pork, beef
Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 11.2% (1997 est.)
Labor forceTotal: 17.7 million (1997 est.)
By occupation industry and construction: 29.9%
By occupation agriculture: 26%
By occupation services: 44.1% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1997)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $33.8 billion
Expenditures: $35.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1997 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: total value:$26.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Commodoties: intermediate goods 38%, machinery and transport equipment 23%, consumer goods 21%, foodstuffs 10%, fuels 7% (1996 est.)
Partners: Germany 34.5%, Russia 6.8%, France 5.9%, Italy 5.6%, US 4.8%, Netherlands 4.1% (1996)
Imports: total value:$44.5 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Commodoties: machinery and transport equipment 32%, intermediate goods 20%, chemicals 15%, consumer goods 9%, food 9%, fuels 8% (1996 est.)
Partners: Germany 26.5%, Italy 10.4%, Russia 7.3%, UK 6.3%, Netherlands 4.8%, France 4.4% (1996)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $43 billion (1997 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1_3.54 (January 1998), 3.2793 (1997), 2.6961 (1996), 2.4250 (1995; note_a currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000 old zlotys with 1 new zloty; 22,723 (1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626 (1992)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 33.5 million kW (1997 est.)
Production: 142 billion kWh (1997 est.)
Consumption per capita: 3,360 kWh (1995)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 8.2 million (1996)
Telephone system: underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aims to have 10 million phones in service by the year 2000; the process of partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly has begun
Domestic: cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks
International: satellite earth stations_2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $3.46 billion (1997)
Percent of gdp: 2.3% (1997)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 83 (1997 est.)
With paved runways total: 68
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 23
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 34
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 6
With paved runways under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 15
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 8
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1997 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 2,280 km; natural gas 17,000 km (1996)
RailwaysTotal: 24,313 km
Broad gauge: 652 km 1.520-m gauge
Standard gauge: 22,243 km 1.435-m gauge (11,648 km electrified; 8,978 km double track)
Narrow gauge: 1,418 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1996)
RoadwaysWaterways: 3,812 km navigable rivers and canals (1996)
Merchant marineTotal: 90 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,574,637 GRT/2,446,849 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 67, cargo 10, chemical tanker 3, container 2, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 4
Note: Poland owns an additional 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 459,793 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Cyprus, Liberia, Malta, and Vanuatu (1997 est.)
Ports and terminalsPoland - Transnational issues 1998
top of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: major illicit producer of amphetamines for the international market; transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe