19:07 21 August 2025
Report: certain unethical financial behaviors acceptable, for some, in Poland
A new report “Financial Morality of Poles” by ZPF and KRD shows that working off the books to avoid wage garnishment is the most socially accepted financial abuse in Poland, justified by 56.7% of respondents. The Index of Acceptance of Unethical Financial Behaviors (IANZF) reached 41.3 in 2025, down from 46.2 in 2020, but still high—indicating Poles excuse unethical actions in over two-fifths of cases.
Other tolerated behaviors include hiding information to get credit (43.9%), inflating damages for compensation (31.3%), or ignoring cashier errors (31.9%). Nearly half accept shifting assets to family or paying cash without VAT. Fraud using false documents remains least acceptable (10%). Researchers note weak financial literacy—many don’t understand credit terms—fuels distrust and a “revenge” mindset against institutions.
