Poland faces rural depopulation and demographic challenges

Poland is facing a significant demographic challenge in its rural areas. While rural regions account for approximately 41% of the national population, they are experiencing a population decline driven by a natural decrease where deaths outpace births. In 2025, although rural areas saw a positive migration balance of over 36,100 people, the number of deaths exceeded births by 56,000.

Experts, including Mateusz Łakomy of the Polish Economic Society, suggest that current spatial planning reforms and regulations may inadvertently hinder the ability of young people to settle in or return to rural communities. A report by the Jagiellonian Club highlights that difficulties in building homes or expanding farms could prevent educated individuals from returning to their home regions after moving to cities.

National fertility rates have also seen a sharp decline, falling from 1.991 in 1990 to 1.068 in 2025, according to data from Statistics Poland.