Poland is a Central European country bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea to the north. With a land area of over 312,000 square kilometers, it is the ninth-largest country in Europe. Poland’s strategic location has historically made it a crossroads of trade, culture, and conflict in Europe. Its capital and largest city is Warsaw, an economic and political center of the region.
As of 2025, Poland had a population of approximately 38,140,910 people (Source: UN). The vast majority of the population—over 90%—identifies as ethnically Polish, and Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, deeply embedded in national identity and culture. While the country has faced demographic challenges such as a declining birth rate and emigration, it has also seen recent inflows of migrants, especially from Ukraine.
Poland is a parliamentary republic, with executive power shared between the President and the Prime Minister. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the bloc. Its economy is driven by sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, and services. Poland is also a major recipient of EU development funds, which have contributed to infrastructure upgrades and regional development. In 2024, Poland maintained a solid GDP growth rate despite inflationary pressures across Europe.
As a member of both NATO and the EU, Poland plays a key role in regional security, especially amid heightened geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. It has increased its defense spending and emerged as a vocal advocate for NATO’s eastern flank.
Republic of Poland