Demography continues downward trend with fewer marriages
Poland faces a severe demographic crisis, with birth rates declining significantly. Between 2018 and 2024, annual births fell from 400,000 to 250,000—a 40% drop. The fertility rate has also decreased to 1.16 in 2023, far below the replacement level of 2.1. Additionally, the number of marriages has reached historic lows, falling to 136,900 in 2024. Experts attribute this to challenges in finding partners, economic uncertainties, and cultural shifts.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the trend by disrupting social interactions. Although informal partnerships have increased, traditional marriage remains the dominant family model. The declining marriage rate is expected to negatively impact birth rates, as marriage is often linked to decisions about having children.
