Statistics Poland reveals higher population counts using new digital data method

Statistics Poland (GUS) has implemented a new methodology to determine actual population sizes by analyzing digital ‘life traces’ rather than relying solely on traditional residency registrations. This approach integrates data from social security (ZUS, KRUS), healthcare (NFZ), tax filings (PIT), and school enrollments to identify residents who have lived at an address for at least 12 months.

The new method reveals significant discrepancies in urban populations. In Wrocław, the traditional count of approximately 672,000 residents has increased to nearly 800,000 when accounting for students and immigrants, particularly from Ukraine, who may not be formally registered. Foreigners now constitute about 20 percent of Wrocław's population, surpassing the proportion in Warsaw.

In the Łowicz region, the data shows the area is not depopulating as quickly as previous records suggested. The city of Łowicz has over 28,400 permanent residents, and the entire Łowicz county exceeds 76,500 people. Nationally, this method indicates Poland's actual population is 38.86 million, which is 1.5 million more than traditional registers suggest, including approximately 2.3 million foreigners.