Poland economy shows growth amid declining business investment

Poland's economy is experiencing a period of divergent trends. While the country's GDP grew by 3.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026—outperforming much of the European Union and the eurozone—internal investment metrics show signs of decline.

Data from Bank Pekao indicates that over the last decade, the ratio of investment expenditures to financial surplus in private enterprises has dropped from 58% to 46%. The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector has been particularly affected, seeing a 17% decrease in investment funded by profits. Additionally, the number of large Polish companies capable of competing internationally has fallen below pre-pandemic levels.

In a broader regional comparison, Turkey maintains a larger total economy due to its significantly higher population and extensive industrial sector. However, Poland remains wealthier on a per capita basis and demonstrates greater stability in terms of purchasing power and currency strength.