Economic development and prospects in Poland: an introduction

Abstract

This paper introduces readers to the Polish economy. This 38 million people growing market economy is the sixth country in Europe as for inhabitants and youngest country in Europe with some 50% of the population below 35 years. Therefore, Poland has a remarkable opportunity for new economic potentials and policy reform. Nevertheless, the country is facing the challenges of and moving gradually towards a post-industrial knowledge and service economy. In Western Europe, job growth in the knowledge-based economy has outperformed the rest of the economy over the period 1995?2005 and at least half the jobs require a high level of skills. These features are significant components of the resulting debate and analysis for figuring out Poland's economic future.