Poland faces stable extreme poverty and rising consumer bankruptcies

Reports on the Polish economy indicate persistent social and financial challenges. According to the EAPN Polska Poverty Watch 2026 report, extreme poverty remained stable in 2025, affecting approximately 2 million people, or 5.3% of households. While the percentage of people living below the social minimum decreased slightly to 40.3% (about 15 million people), statutory poverty rose to 8.1% due to updated social assistance income criteria.

Simultaneously, consumer bankruptcy rates are rising significantly. Data from the Central Information Economic Center (COIG) shows that 6,115 people declared consumer bankruptcy in the third quarter of 2026. In September alone, over 2,200 individuals filed for bankruptcy, marking the second-highest monthly figure in history. If current trends continue, total consumer bankruptcies in 2026 could exceed 24,000.