The four wealthiest provinces generate over half of Poland’s GDP, while the five poorest contribute less than 15%. Regional development in Poland is highly uneven, and there are no signs that this will change anytime soon.
In 2023, as much as 53.8% of Poland’s GDP was produced by just four provinces: Mazowieckie, Śląskie, Wielkopolskie, and Dolnośląskie, according to preliminary estimates from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS). These regions are also the wealthiest in the country, with GDP per capita exceeding the national average. Mazowieckie province was the undisputed leader, with GDP per capita reaching 157.4% of the national average. The result was even higher in Warsaw and its surrounding counties (the capital region), where GDP per capita stood at 201.2% of the national average.
At the other end of the spectrum were five provinces making up Eastern Poland: Lubelskie, Podlaskie, Podkarpackie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, and Świętokrzyskie. In 2023, these regions contributed just 14.4% of Poland’s GDP. They were also the poorest, with GDP per capita not exceeding 78% of the national average. The lowest figure was recorded in Lubelskie province (68.8% of the average), where GDP per capita was nearly three times lower than in the Warsaw capital region.
A Historical Divide
The divide between a wealthier west and a poorer east in Poland has historical roots. As early as the Middle Ages, western lands began to develop more rapidly than the eastern parts of the country. One of the key reasons was the natural barrier posed by the Vistula River, which hindered the flow of knowledge, technology, and innovation from Western Europe to the less prosperous eastern regions.
These regional disparities deepened during the Partitions of Poland, when the eastern part of the country fell under the control of the Russian Empire—Europe’s most backward power at the time. The long-term effects of this period are still visible today in the form of differences in industrialization, agricultural structure, infrastructure, and even local mindsets.
During the Communist era, the government focused on developing the most urbanized and industrialized provinces. Poland’s centrally planned economy prioritized industrialization, and investments were primarily directed toward regions that showed potential for heavy industry. Eastern Poland was not a priority for investment.
Large industrial plants were sometimes built in the east, but these investments were sporadic and failed to bridge the development gap due to a lack of modern technology and resources.
Geography as a Key Factor
In addition to the Vistula River, another key spatial factor influencing regional development in Poland has been proximity to the western border.
For centuries, Western Europe was the primary source of knowledge and technological transfer. Combined with access to major trade routes, this helped develop Polish cities located west of the Vistula. Today, only two of Poland’s ten largest cities—Lublin and Białystok—are located in the east. Meanwhile, economic growth is driven primarily by large urban centers, which serve as hubs of innovation, science, and culture, facilitating the flow of knowledge and ideas.
Today, proximity to Germany, Poland’s largest trading partner, attracts foreign direct investment (FDI). Many international companies choose to invest in western provinces to minimize transportation costs and gain easier access to the German market.
In contrast, Eastern Poland’s provinces—far from key economic centers and lacking developed infrastructure—are less attractive for investors. Additionally, they form the eastern border of the European Union, bordering regions that are even poorer.
Natural Resources and Industrial Growth
Another key factor shaping regional disparities is the distribution of natural resources. Poland’s major resource deposits are concentrated in the western part of the country. These resources are the foundation for key industries such as energy, chemicals, metallurgy, and construction. As a result, resource-rich regions have an economic advantage, leading to faster industrial and economic growth.
The Market vs. State Intervention
Regional development disparities in Poland have been evident for decades. Even during the 40-year existence of Communist Poland, the centrally planned economy failed to bridge the gap. Economic planning and investment decisions were made by politicians, but state-driven efforts could not overcome market realities—attempts to artificially equalize regional development proved too costly and ultimately failed.
Similarly, EU cohesion policy has not significantly reduced the development gap between Polish regions. During the 2014–2020 EU budget period, the highest per capita EU funding went to Eastern Poland. As of 2023, five out of the six provinces with the highest absorption of EU funds per capita were from Eastern Poland. In contrast, the wealthiest provinces (Wielkopolskie, Mazowieckie, and Dolnośląskie) received the least EU funding per capita.
A Global Challenge
Regional development disparities are a natural phenomenon that no country has fully eliminated. Despite significant efforts, regional differences remain evident in Italy (with a wealthy north and a poorer south) and Germany (where, despite massive financial aid programs, the former East Germany still lags behind the western states).
As Professor David S. Landes, an American historian and economist, noted, the world has never been a level playing field. Regional development depends on numerous factors, including history, geography, institutions, and human capital. Inequalities are inevitable, but it remains essential to create opportunities for people in less developed regions to improve their quality of life—an objective that EU funds continue to support.
Author: Dr. Paweł Janukowicz
Dr. Paweł Janukowicz holds a Ph.D. in social sciences, specializing in economics and finance. He is also a member of the Polish Economists Association.
