Poland leads Central and Eastern Europe in economic growth

Poland is projected to lead economic growth among eleven European Union countries in Central and Eastern Europe, according to a report by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW). The forecast anticipates a 3.7 percent GDP growth this year and 3 percent next year.

Analysts noted that the region is demonstrating “surprising resilience” despite geopolitical turbulence and rising energy prices. This growth is attributed to a fundamental shift in economic models, as these nations transition away from serving merely as low-cost assembly hubs for Western corporations.

In a separate development, the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) placed Poland 28th globally. While Poland’s score improved by 2 percent compared to 2024, reaching 4.46 out of 7 points, its overall ranking dropped by two positions from 26th to 28th among the 110 economies assessed.