Poles spend more and more on private education

In the last decade, spending on private education of children in Poland has increased significantly, noted the Polish Economic Institute (PIE). According to experts, an increasing number of families are devoting "relatively large sums" to this purpose, which could mean that they are switching from public to private education.

The average monthly expenditure on private education increased from PLN 16 in 2010 to PLN 41 in 2020. It was noted that most of the households included did not have any expenditure on private education. The average amount spent on education among households that had any expenses for this purpose in 2010 amounted to PLN 104 per month, and in the next 10 years, it increased 6 times – to PLN 615.

According to PIE, the fact that more and more parents who can afford it decide to provide private education for their children may be due to their dissatisfaction with the quality of public education or the desire to provide the child with the best possible conditions tailored to their needs. According to experts, a greater share of private education may deepen social inequalities. 

(PAP)