In recent years, inflation has been a dominant topic in public discourse, fueling widespread concern among Polish citizens. While its impact on societal sentiment remains strong today, and rising prices continue to rank among the most frequently cited worries, fewer people now report cutting back on daily spending.
How Do Poles Assess Their Financial Situation?
According to the latest wave of the Zymetria survey “Mood Tracker: Spring Sentiments of Poles”, 54% of Poles rate their financial situation as good—a notable improvement from 47% in March 2023 and consistent with recent survey results. Twenty-seven percent of respondents say their financial standing has improved over the past year, while 46% report no significant changes.
When it comes to financial expectations for the future, young people are the most optimistic: 39% of Generation Z (ages 18–25) and 35% of Generation Y (ages 26–41) foresee improvement. Across all age groups, the average optimism rate stands at 26%.
Changing Consumer Habits
Despite feeling the effects of rising food prices (74%) and housing costs (59%), fewer Poles now say they are cutting everyday expenses—39% in March 2025, down from 48% in November 2024. Among those limiting spending, fewer report reductions in specific categories such as cosmetics and household chemicals (23%), groceries (21%), transportation (11%), or medication (9%). Meanwhile, 40% are holding off on major planned purchases, and the same percentage say they are saving money.
Daily purchases are increasingly viewed with less anxiety, even as prices continue to climb. While people remain cautious about big-ticket spending, routine financial decisions are made with greater composure.
“Inflation is still a concern, but it’s no longer the only one. We see growing anxiety around military threats and political instability. People are still careful but not in a state of panic,” says Kamila Hernik, Senior Consultant at Zymetria.
What Else Worries Poles?
Survey respondents also pointed to growing concerns about international affairs. Almost one-third (29%) fear the possibility of war reaching Poland, and 21% are worried about political destabilization. Although these concerns have not yet reached the levels seen immediately after the full-scale war in Ukraine began, they are gaining prominence.
Nonetheless, economic issues still dominate the list of fears: food price increases (43%) and higher living costs (42%) remain at the top. Yet in recent months, geopolitical threats have entered the national conversation more frequently as perceived risks.
A Complex Landscape of Uncertainty
The Zymetria findings suggest that Poles are becoming more deliberate in their financial choices, striving to balance economic uncertainty with a desire for normalcy. Concerns about inflation and the cost of living now coexist with fears of geopolitical instability, painting a multidimensional picture of the challenges facing society.
Still, everyday spending cuts are becoming less common, and the general mood, while cautious, is no longer driven by panic.
Source: “Tracking Nastrojów: Spring Sentiments of Poles,” Wave 03.2025, Zymetria
Full article: managerplus.pl – Poles regain financial calm, but remain alert
