Poland is an important and dynamic market located in the heart of Central Europe. American exporters and investors are drawn to Poland due to the country’s large population, well-educated and competitive workforce, strong prospects for economic growth, and location affording broader access to the European Union market of 450 million citizens.
With 38 million people, Poland is the 6th largest market in the European Union (EU). Poland joined the EU in 2004. Poland shares a single market and many harmonized economic rules with the EU, while retaining its own currency and monetary policy. Economic reforms have improved the environment for business and boosted economic growth.
With an estimated 2024 GDP of $915 billion (World Bank) and is projected to pass the $1 trillion threshold soon. Poland is the EU’s sixth largest economy (Statista). According to the World Bank, Poland’s well-diversified economy is among Europe’s least affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. GDP increased by 2.9% in 2024. The European Commission for Economy and Finance forecasts that Poland’s GDP will grow 3.3% in 2025. The core inflation rate is expected to remain moderate in 2024 (approximately 3.7% according to the European Commission).
Fiscal policy will support economic activity, buoyed by spending from EU funds, but tightening monetary policy will limit economic growth. However, growing exports, household consumption, low unemployment (2.8% in 2025 – European Commission), rising wages, and EU fund spending are the driving forces fueling the country’s continued strong economic performance. According to forecasts from the European Commission (EC), Poland’s economy will grow by 3.0% percent in 2026, while inflation should remain stable at 2.8%. According to the EC, “the contribution from private consumption is set to remain strong but decrease compared to the previous year as real disposable income growth is projected to slow further.”
Poland’s global goods exports in 2024 were valued at $383.1 billion and imports were valued at $382.4 billion. Poland’s chief export markets in 2024 were: Germany 27.2%, Czechia 6.1%, France 6.1%, United Kingdom 5.2%, the Netherlands 4.6%, and Italy4.6%. Poland’s chief import partners in the same period were: Germany 19.2%, China 14.5%, United States 5.0%, Italy 4.7%, and the Netherlands 3.8% (Statistics Poland). In 2024, U.S. exports to Poland were approximately $12.2 billion, and imports from Poland were $13.7 billion (Census.gov). Poland ranks as the United States’ 33rd largest export market (ITA – Annual U.S. Goods Trade with Global Partners). There is abundant potential for U.S. firms in Poland. Poles continue to demonstrate a strong affinity for the United States and its products. This, in addition to the size and location of the domestic market, as well as the access it affords to the larger EU market, makes Poland a very promising export market for U.S. firms.
Poland is open to foreign direct investment (FDI), and U.S. companies represent one of the largest groups of foreign investors in the country at 12% of all FDI in Poland in 2022, contributing 4.1% to Poland’s GDP (AmCham database). U.S. companies operate in a wide range of industry sectors, employing 327,000 people in Poland (AmCham database). Leading sectors have historically included automotive, aerospace and defense, information technology hardware and software, food products, transportation, pharmaceuticals, paper production, appliances, and financial services. Investment and export opportunities also exist in the energy sector as Poland seeks to diversify its energy mix, as well as in defense and digital technologies. Poland is also a popular location for business processing centers, including call centers, shared services centers, and research and development (R&D) operations.
Political Environment
Visit the State Department’s website for background on the country’s political and economic environment.