Net migration reached its lowest level in 1950 (-52,800) when the number of migrants arriving in the country was estimated at 8,000, compared to around 61,000 people departing. In 2024, there were more inflows than outflows, resulting in a net migration of nearly 9,300 people. Foreign migration of population For several years Poland has been witnessing a positive balance of migration. The number of immigrants reached 19,500, while emigration reached 10,200 in 2024. The main directions of permanent emigration are Germany and the United Kingdom. Immigrants coming to Poland to live permanently are mostly returning Polish emigrants. Hence, the most significant number of people came from the United Kingdom and Germany. Much larger is the scale of migration for temporary residence. There has been an increase in the number of immigrants temporarily staying in Poland recently. The number of economic immigrants is growing, especially Ukrainian citizens interested in taking up temporary employment. There is also a noticeable increase in the number of foreigners interested in continuing their education at Polish universities. The analysis of migration trends indicates that Poland is transforming from a typical emigration country into an emigration and immigration country. Internal migration of the population The period from 2017 to 2019 saw an increased number of internal movements. However, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of internal migrants fell to 385,000 in 2020. As a result of internal migration, rural areas gained residents. The balance of migration for rural areas amounted to nearly 49,000 people. In Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Małopolskie, Dolnośląskie, and Wielkopolskie region, the inflow of population was greater than the outflow. Therefore, internal migrations caused an increase in the population of those voivodeships. The remaining voivodeships recorded a decrease. The most significant population loss in 2020 was experienced by Lubelskie and Śląskie voivodeships — this trend has been maintained for several years.

The majority of immigrants in Poland in 2023 were from Ukraine (40,000), a decrease of 14 percent compared to the previous year. Immigration to Poland for different reasons In 2022, nearly 14,000 people immigrated to Poland for permanent residence, of which most came from Ukraine, the UK, and Germany, respectively. Furthermore, the majority of immigrants for temporary stay in Poland in 2022 were from Ukraine (46,000 immigrants), a decrease of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year. In 2023, most Ukrainian citizens chose Poland as a place for economic emigration. The main reason for that choice was geographical and cultural proximity. Nearly every second respondent valued the low language barrier, and for every third person, the motivation was earnings. Poles attitudes toward Russia’s war with Ukraine In 2022, most Poles had a negative attitude toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Poles’ biggest concerns about the Russia-Ukraine war were the military threats from Russia and the impact of the war on the condition of the Polish economy. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poles proved their support for Ukrainians. One of the most common forms of support for refugees fleeing the Russia-Ukraine war to Poland was to provide blankets, food, and hygiene items. Four out of 10 Poles donated money to a charity fundraiser and volunteered in organizations.

The number of immigrants in Poland reached nearly 17,000 in 2023 and increased by seven percent compared to the previous year. Population in Poland Since 2010, the population of Poland has been decreasing year by year. In 2022, Poland’s society was about 900,000 lower than in 2012. This result is influenced by birth and death rates, as well as migration rate. Many factors are contributing to these rates. For birth rates, the number of women of reproductive age, changing attitudes toward having many children at a young age, household income, and government incentives such as the 500+ program must be considered. Regarding the death rate, it is necessary to consider the age and number of seniors, as well as medical progress. Therefore, it is estimated that Poland’s population will decrease to slightly over 29.5 million in 2100. Migration in Poland In 1950, Poland had the lowest net migration level, amounting to -52,600, where more than 61,000 chose to emigrate, and only about 8,000 decided to immigrate to Poland. In contrast, net migration in 2023 has reached 6,800 people, which means more people decided to live in Poland than to leave it. That year, the most Poles who decided to emigrate moved to Ukraine, Germany, and the United Kingdom. By comparison, Poland also had the most significant number of immigrants from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

The number of emigrants from Poland amounted to nearly 10,000 in 2023, a decrease of 27 percent compared to the previous year.

Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Immigration data was reported at 16,707.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,572.000 Person for 2022. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Immigration data is updated yearly, averaging 10,150.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17,400.000 Person in 2009 and a record low of 2,200.000 Person in 1989. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Immigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Immigration data was reported at 5,389.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,879.000 Person for 2022. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Immigration data is updated yearly, averaging 4,730.000 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,389.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 3,903.000 Person in 2013. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Immigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Between 1820 and 1957, at least 400,000 people migrated from Poland to the United States. Due to Poland's complicated border-history, many Polish migrants were recorded as having other nationalities, particularly Austrian, German and Russian (all migrants who claimed to be Polish between 1899 and 1919 were recorded as being one of these other nationalities), therefore the exact number of Polish migrants to the United States during this time is unknown. From 1920 onwards, Poland's sovereignty and independence was acknowledged by the United States government (US President Wilson was instrumental in helping to establish the independent Republic of Poland), and the figures become more reliable. The years with the highest number of documented Polish migrants to the US was after the First World War in the early 1920s, with almost 100,000 Poles migrating in 1921 alone, although the number fell below 10,000 again by 1925.

Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Rural: Female: International: Immigration data was reported at 2,550.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,471.000 Person for 2022. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Rural: Female: International: Immigration data is updated yearly, averaging 2,028.000 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,550.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 1,424.000 Person in 2014. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Rural: Female: International: Immigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Urban Areas data was reported at 94,387.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 90,006.000 Person for 2022. Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Urban Areas data is updated yearly, averaging 97,936.500 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 115,801.000 Person in 2019 and a record low of 89,527.000 Person in 2020. Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Urban Areas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Emigration data was reported at 9,941.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13,633.000 Person for 2022. Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Emigration data is updated yearly, averaging 21,100.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46,900.000 Person in 2006 and a record low of 8,780.000 Person in 2020. Migration for Permanent Residence: International: Emigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Rural Areas data was reported at 98,924.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 104,493.000 Person for 2022. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Rural Areas data is updated yearly, averaging 93,694.500 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105,464.000 Person in 2021 and a record low of 85,006.000 Person in 2016. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Male: Internal: Outflow: from Rural Areas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: Internal data was reported at -20,848.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -23,663.000 Person for 2022. Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: Internal data is updated yearly, averaging -14,978.000 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of -9,001.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of -23,663.000 Person in 2022. Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: Internal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

In 2023, the vast majority of immigrants in Poland were children under ten and people between 30 and 39. Those who most often emigrated from Poland were between 30 and 39, with the largest group being between 35 and 39.

Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Emigration data was reported at 2,870.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3,433.000 Person for 2022. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Emigration data is updated yearly, averaging 4,217.000 Person from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,291.000 Person in 2013 and a record low of 2,869.000 Person in 2020. Poland Migration for Permanent Residence: Urban: Female: International: Emigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.

Norway Immigration: Europe: Poland data was reported at 5,163.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,976.000 Person for 2016. Norway Immigration: Europe: Poland data is updated yearly, averaging 305.000 Person from Dec 1967 (Median) to 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,309.000 Person in 2008 and a record low of 52.000 Person in 1968. Norway Immigration: Europe: Poland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G006: Immigration: by Country.

Over the period observed, net migration increased and reached 6,800 in 2023, meaning that more people migrated inward than outward from Poland.

In 2024, there were more inflows than outflows, resulting in a net migration of nearly a thousand people. This number increased compared to 2004 when more people were emigrating than immigrating.

Poland GUS Projection: Emigration data was reported at 24,389.000 Person in 2050. This stayed constant from the previous number of 24,389.000 Person for 2049. Poland GUS Projection: Emigration data is updated yearly, averaging 24,389.000 Person from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2050, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24,389.000 Person in 2050 and a record low of 24,389.000 Person in 2050. Poland GUS Projection: Emigration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G004: Migration: Projection: Central Statistical Office.

This scatter chart displays female population (people) against net migration (people) in Poland. The data is about countries per year.

Migration for Permanent Residence: Internal: Inflow data was reported at 406,099.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 409,058.000 Person for 2022. Migration for Permanent Residence: Internal: Inflow data is updated yearly, averaging 422,800.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 596,500.000 Person in 1989 and a record low of 369,300.000 Person in 2001. Migration for Permanent Residence: Internal: Inflow data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Poland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.G008: Migration.