Poland sees rising urban fertility amid ZUS scrutiny

Demographic trends in Poland show a recent increase in fertility rates within large cities. According to Professor Szukalski, while fertility rates in major cities fell to lows of 0.9–1.1 between 2002 and 2005, there has been a noticeable acceleration and rise in these values over the last three to four years. Historically, fertility in Poland was sufficient for generational replacement (around 2.1) during the late PRL era, but it has declined steadily since 1988.

Parallel to these demographic shifts, legal experts are raising concerns regarding the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and its treatment of pregnant women. Lawyer Kamila Bakuła-Hechłacz has criticized the level of mistrust displayed by the state, noting that bureaucratic control measures and inspections can feel discriminatory. These procedures, which include verifying the validity of sick leave, have led some women to feel they must provide excessive proof of their activities to avoid losing financial support.