A Brief History of Migration and Remittances in Poland

Last updated: May 2024

Poland has an estimated population of around 40 million people, positioning it as the 5th most populous country in the European Union. Its climate is largely temperate and seasonal, with relatively warm summers and cold winters. Although Poland in recent decades has become widely known as a net emigration country, favorable economic conditions are increasingly drawing migrant workers toward Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and many other major Polish cities. 

As part of our Brief Histories series, we will delve into Poland’s history, its current migration flows, and their impact on remittances to and from the country.

A (very) brief history of Poland

Poland’s history goes all the way back to the times of the Sarmatians, Scythians, Celts, and Slavs, some of the many different tribes and cultures that inhabited the country. One of the main tribes, the Western Polans, lived in the area known as Greater Poland, and gave the country its name. These tribes coexisted until the creation of the first Polonian state under the Piast dynasty, where the ruler known as Mieszko I converted to Christianity. From there, the Kingdom of Poland was shaped.

In the 16th century, Poland united with Lithuania in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and witnessed a period of great economic and social prosperity. At the end of the 18th century, however, the state was partitioned.

Although Poland experienced many challenges starting with the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 right up until the end of the Cold War, today it has one of the highest GDPs in the European Union. Its strong economic development and high standard of living have begun attracting many migrants seeking work opportunities. Poland, a country famous for its overseas communities in countries like the US and the UK, is now home to many diasporas, including a large Ukrainian community that has notably expanded since the outbreak of conflict in February 2022.

Poland’s changing migration landscape

Without question, Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004 was a major moment in the country’s migration history. Prior to this date, Polish diaspora mainly resided in North America or in small numbers across the former Soviet Union. However, by joining the European bloc, Polish migrants were able to establish new communities and remittance corridors with prosperous neighbors.

5 million Polish citizens are estimated to be living abroad with particularly large communities in both Germany and the UK. Additionally, Polish diaspora communities are also widely spread across the European continent with a notable presence in more than 10 countries. In some of these nations, Polish migrants represent a significant part of the country’s overall workforce. For instance, in Iceland, Polish migrants, many of whom work in the fishing, construction, healthcare and tourism sectors, account for more than 35% of all foreign nationals in the country.

Yet, despite the size and depth of its global diaspora community, Poland has already transformed from a country of emigration to a country of immigration. Between 2012 and 2022, the foreign-born population in Poland increased by 51%. Attracted by the country’s rising living standards and strong economic performance, many migrants from Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia either settled in Poland or sought seasonal employment opportunities.

The ongoing situation in Ukraine has increased the westward trend with unparalleled numbers of Ukrainians crossing the border into Poland. While many have since returned to Ukraine or travelled to other countries, around one million remain in Poland. These migrants are increasingly adapting to their new surroundings with 65% of those of working age currently employed, the highest figure in Europe.

However, it is not only international migrants that are arriving in Poland. Enticed by economic opportunities, an increasing number of Polish citizens are also returning to their native country. In 2018, the number of Polish citizens living abroad declined for the first time since Poland’s accession to the European Union. This trend continued, and in 2020, 176,000 Polish citizens returned to their homeland. To further incentivize these returns, Poland later introduced the landmark Polish Deal, a program which among many changes, offers tax relief to returning Polish citizens who have spent at least three years abroad.

Poland’s Remittances: Volumes and Impact

In recent years, Poland’s remittance figures have reflected the changing nature of its migration patterns as well as its overall shift toward being a net immigration country. Since reaching a peak of $12.32 billion in 2008, remittances to Poland have steadily declined, almost halving to $6.43 billion in 2022. Throughout this period, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom have been particularly significant corridors, boosting local communities across Poland.

In stark contrast, remittance outflows have increased considerably. In 2013, remittances received from Poland amounted to $1.58 billion. By 2022, that figure had reached nearly $11 billion. One of the key beneficiaries of this increase is neighboring Ukraine. Between 2015 and 2021, the amount received by Ukrainian communities more than doubled with Poland replacing Russia as the primary source of remittances. In 2023, Ukrainian migrants in Poland sent $4.23 billion to their native country, providing a lifeline to neighborhoods struggling with the lasting effects of conflict.

Poland is entering a new period in which it is no longer solely associated with high emigration flows. Rather, it has become a country of choice for many migrants looking to build a better everyday life for themselves and their families. This trend has led to growth in money transfers, providing a higher standard of living for recipient-families.

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