Net migration reached its lowest level in 1950 (-******) when the number of migrants arriving in the country was estimated at *****, compared to around ****** people departing. In 2024, there were more inflows than outflows, resulting in a net migration of nearly ***** people. Foreign migration of population For several years Poland has been witnessing a positive balance of migration. The number of immigrants reached ******, while emigration reached ****** 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 ******* in 2020. As a result of internal migration, rural areas gained residents. The balance of migration for rural areas amounted to nearly ****** 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 number of immigrants in Poland reached nearly ****** 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 ******* 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 **** million in 2100. Migration in Poland In 1950, Poland had the lowest net migration level, amounting to *******, where more than ****** chose to emigrate, and only about ***** decided to immigrate to Poland. In contrast, net migration in 2023 has reached ***** 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 ****** in 2023, a decrease of ** percent compared to the previous year.

The majority of immigrants in Poland in 2023 were from Ukraine (******), a decrease of ** percent compared to the previous year. Immigration to Poland for different reasons In 2022, nearly ****** 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 (****** immigrants), a decrease of *** 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.

In the observed period, the number of people emigrating decreased while the number of people coming to Poland with the intention of permanent residence increased.

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.

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.

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

In 2023, the largest outflow of Poland's population occurred in the Warmian-Masurian voivodeship, with nearly ** people per 1,000 inhabitants leaving the region. The region to which Poles most often migrated was Pomerania and Lower Silesia.

Over the period observed, the net migration rate increased and reached 0.2 per 1000 inhabitants in Poland in 2023, meaning that the outflow of Poles is lower than the inflow.

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.

Only in five regions of Poland, the population inflow was more significant than the outflow in 2023, i.e., in the Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Małopolskie, Dolnośląskie, and Wielkopolskie voivodeships.

Internal migration in Poland gained new residents in rural areas during the observed period. In 2023, the net migration for rural areas amounted to 49,000 new permanent residents.

In February 2024, ** percent of Poles leaving for work abroad moved to Germany. The next most popular destination was the Netherlands, which ** percent of people chose.

During the observed period, the number of Poles moving across the country increased. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people migrating decreased to ******* in 2020. In 2023, their number amounted to over *******.

In 2024, nearly ************ refugees from Ukraine have crossed the Polish border. The largest number on March 6, 2022 — more than ******* people.The Government Security Center informs refugees from Ukraine about the possibility of taking refuge in Poland. Due to the Russian attack, as of Thursday, February 24, Ukrainians can cross the border without documents. These individuals are also exempt from the coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine. According to the government's decision, all citizens of Ukraine can cross the border, even those who do not have any identity documents. This also applies to people whose papers are invalid or incomplete. In this case, to enter Poland, the consent of the Commander of the Border Guard is sufficient, which is given during the border crossing. Such a permit is issued for a stay of up to 15 days. After 15 days, the refugees will decide whether to stay in Poland or return to Ukraine if the situation there normalizes.People traveling with animals do not need to have proof of vaccination, and the animal itself does not need to be microchipped.Border services have also set up reception points at border crossings. Those who do not have a guaranteed place to stay in Poland can seek help there. At these points, refugees are provided temporary accommodation in Poland, a hot meal, a drink, basic medical care, and a resting place.Citizens of Ukraine can travel free of charge in class 2 on TLK and IC national economy trains. The passage takes place based on a passport confirming Ukrainian citizenship. Travelers will receive a free ticket.

More than *** in ** Poles indicated higher wages as the main reason for going abroad to work in 2024. A higher standard of living and social conditions convinced ** percent of respondents.

This statistic shows a trend in views in Poland on the impact of immigration from 2011 to 2018. According to data published by Ipsos, only ** percent of Polish society agreed that immigration had a positive impact on the country. Positive attitudes towards the immigration issue slightly increased compared to the previous year.

In 2023, most Polish emigrants moved to *************** migrants) and ******* (over 6,000) for at least 12 months.

As a result of the crisis between Belarus and the European Union, Polish border services recorded approximately *** illegal attempts to cross the Polish-Belarusian border in December 2024. Around ****** immigrants, mainly from Middle Eastern and African countries, attempted to cross the border illegally in 2024. It was nearly ***** more than in the previous year. The latest data from April 2025 indicates a significant decrease in illegal crossings, with more than ***** recorded attempts.In 2021, due to the actions of Alexander Lukashenko's government, a migration crisis was initiated on Belarus's border with the European Union. The Belarusian authorities contributed by organizing the transfer of refugees and immigrants from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries of the Middle East and Africa across the Belarusian-Lithuanian and Belarusian-Polish-Latvian borders. These actions were meant to respond to EU sanctions against Belarus caused by the rigged presidential election in 2020 and the repression of oppositionists.