Children in Poland - statistics & facts
Fewer and fewer children are being born in Poland. Over the past 70 years, the number of newborns and the fertility rate dramatically decreased. The country has experienced a significant shift in the age distribution of mothers over the past four decades. In 1990, women aged 20-24 accounted for the largest share of live births at 36.4 percent. However, by 2022, this trend had markedly reversed, with women aged 30-34 representing the highest percentage at 34.2 percent. This change reflects broader societal and economic shifts in Poland, impacting family planning decisions and demographic patterns.
In 2023, most Polish parents invested in additional activities for their children, both at school and outside of it. Foreign language classes were the most popular choice, followed by sports. This emphasis on supplementary education and skill development likely contributes to the rising costs of raising children in Poland, as parents strive to provide their children with diverse learning opportunities.
The changing age of mothers coincides with a decline in Poland's birth rates. In 2023, the country recorded just over 272,000 live births, marking an 11 percent decrease from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest birth rate since 2017, at 7.2 births per thousand population - a stark contrast to the peak of nearly 31 births per thousand in 1950. These trends have contributed to a gradual decrease in Poland's population.
Education and extracurricular activities
The number of parents choosing to send their children to kindergartens is growing every year. Since the 2005/2006 school year, the number of kids in kindergartens in Poland has steadily increased, reaching over 1.2 million in the 2023/24 school year. In the same year, more than 3 million children attended primary schools. A child's start of school also comes at a cost. In the 2023/2024 school year, parents with two children spent an average of 1,792 thousand zloty on school supplies.In 2023, most Polish parents invested in additional activities for their children, both at school and outside of it. Foreign language classes were the most popular choice, followed by sports. This emphasis on supplementary education and skill development likely contributes to the rising costs of raising children in Poland, as parents strive to provide their children with diverse learning opportunities.
Family size impacts costs
The financial burden of raising a child in Poland continues to grow, with the cost of raising a child to age 18 in a two-parent, one-child family reaching 346,000 zloty in 2024. This represents a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the rising expenses associated with child-rearing in the country. While the cost for a single child is considerable, families with multiple children face even greater financial challenges. In 2024, the cost of raising two children to age 18 in a two-parent household amounted to 579,000 zloty, a 13 percent increase from the previous year. This suggests that while there may be some economies of scale in raising multiple children, the overall financial burden increases substantially with family size.The changing age of mothers coincides with a decline in Poland's birth rates. In 2023, the country recorded just over 272,000 live births, marking an 11 percent decrease from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest birth rate since 2017, at 7.2 births per thousand population - a stark contrast to the peak of nearly 31 births per thousand in 1950. These trends have contributed to a gradual decrease in Poland's population.
