Poland ranks lowest in EU for economic freedom

Poland has ranked last among the 27 European Union member states in the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 index, according to data from the Fraser Institute. With a score of 7.10, Poland placed 65th out of 165 countries globally, falling behind nations such as Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Albania, and Georgia.

While Poland performed relatively well in foreign trade freedom (31st globally) and the legal system, its overall score was significantly lowered by two key areas: the size of the state and sound money. The country ranked 134th out of 165 in terms of state size—impacted by high public spending, subsidies, and high marginal tax rates—and 98th in sound money, which considers inflation and money supply growth.

The Warsaw Enterprise Institute noted that these rankings, based on 2024 data, may not fully reflect recent 2026 regulatory shifts. Recent fiscal trends include a proposed 15 percent increase in alcohol excise tax for 2027, a 30 percent CIT rate for banks in 2026, and planned increases in sugar fees.