Poland Population

As of January 2023, Poland had a total population of 41.48 million people. The data indicates that there was an increase of 3.2 million individuals, which represents an 8.5 percent growth compared to the population in 2022.

In terms of gender distribution, 51.6 percent of the population in Poland is female, while 48.4 percent is male.

At the beginning of 2023, the majority of Poland's population, specifically 60.3 percent, resided in urban areas, while 39.7 percent of the population lived in rural regions.

In January 2022, Poland's total population stood at 37.77 million people. The available data indicates a slight population decrease of 53 thousand individuals, which corresponds to a 0.1 percent decline between 2021 and 2022.

Gender-wise, 51.6 percent of Poland's population is female, while 48.4 percent is male.

At the beginning of 2022, the majority of Poland's population, specifically 60.2 percent, resided in urban areas, while 39.8 percent of the population lived in rural regions.

Poland's population density in 2022 was 121 individuals per square kilometer. The regions with the most significant population concentrations were the provinces of Silesia and Malopolska. In contrast, the lowest population density was observed in Podlaskie Voivodeship, with only 57 people per square kilometer.

Poland stands out in terms of its Islamic community for two notable reasons. Firstly, it possesses one of the smallest Muslim populations in Europe when considering both the actual number and the proportion within the country's total population. Although there isn't precise data available, estimates suggest that the Muslim population in Poland, a country with around 38 million inhabitants, hovers at approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people, roughly constituting 0.1% of the population.

Secondly, the historical presence of Islam in Poland is one of the most extended in Europe. It dates back to the second phase of a significant Muslim influx into Europe, specifically during the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe. The descendants of those who arrived in Poland during that time, known as the Tatars, have been living in Poland for over 600 years.

The Muslim community in Poland is ethnically and nationally diverse. The Tatar community, which resides primarily in the eastern part of the country, comprises around 3,000 to 5,000 people. Due to the duration of their presence, they have assimilated to a great extent and are officially recognized as an ethnic minority.

Another group in the Muslim community consists of economic immigrants, totaling around 30,000 individuals. Many of them came from Arab countries to Poland in the 1950s-70s for their studies and later decided to settle in the country. They have integrated well into Polish society, often marrying Poles and acquiring Polish nationality. Some recent immigrants can also be found, but compared to many other EU countries, Poland is not a preferred destination for settling or working.

There are approximately 5,000 Chechen refugees in Poland, who view the country as a transit point on their journey to Western Europe.

There is also a group of around 1,000 converts to Islam, with a majority being women. Many of them live abroad in Western Europe with their Muslim husbands.

Islam is officially recognized in Poland, with a legal basis dating back to the 1936 Law regulating the status of the Muslim Religious Union in Poland. There are five officially registered Islamic religious organizations with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Muslim Religious Union is the oldest and the primary representative of Muslims in Poland, with most of its members being Tatars. The Muslim League in Poland was established in the early 21st century to give a voice to the growing number of Muslim immigrants. The other three organizations are the Association of Islamic Unity (a Shi’a organization), Islamic Ahmadiyya Association, and the Western Sufi Order.

In Poland, there are three mosques, including two small wooden ones in Tatar-inhabited villages and one in Gdańsk. A new mosque is currently under construction in Warsaw, financed by the Muslim League, as local Muslims have only had a prayer house so far.

The Polish perspective on Islam is somewhat polarized. While the Tatars are generally perceived as Poles of a different ethnicity, non-Tatar Muslims can be met with apprehension. Part of this sentiment might be attributed to a "geographical rule of dislike," where Poles tend to have less favorable views of southern and eastern nations, where the majority of Muslims originate. According to an annual CBOS survey, Arabs consistently rank among the top three least liked nations among the Polish population. It's important to note that the Polish discourse on Islam is often influenced by challenges related to Muslim populations in Western countries or actions taken by Muslims from the Islamic world.

This group consists of individuals who self-identify as Jewish in social surveys and do not follow another monotheistic religion. It includes people with Jewish ancestry who have not adopted a different religious identity. This category encompasses all converts to Judaism and those who declare themselves as Jewish, even without formal conversion.

This includes all individuals born to at least one Jewish parent (either mother or father) who consider themselves partly Jewish. This measurement acknowledges individuals with mixed parentage who have a partial connection to Jewish heritage.

This figure is the sum of the core Jewish population, those with Jewish parents who do not self-identify as Jews, and all their non-Jewish household members (spouses, children, etc.).

This category relates to individuals who are eligible to claim Israeli citizenship. It includes those with at least one Jewish grandparent and extends to their immediate family members.
This right to Israeli citizenship may become relevant if Jewish individuals in Poland choose to activate this option and immigrate to Israel.

The estimated population of prewar Poland in 1939 exceeded 35 million. This population was notably diverse, comprising various ethnic groups alongside the Polish majority, accounting for approximately 37 to 38 percent of the total population. However, following World War II, the population, as per the 1946 census conducted on February 14, stood at 23.9 million. It's worth noting that due to unsettled conditions in many administrative regions, especially in the east and northeast, there was a significant undercount, likely not less than 3 percent. As a result, the actual population was likely closer to 24.5 million. Over time, this postwar population became increasingly ethnically homogeneous.

As of January 1939, the population of Poland had increased to 35,100,000. This figure also included 240,000 individuals in Trans-Olza, which had been under Polish control from October 1938 until August 1939. The population density at that time was around 90 persons per square kilometer.

As of 1945, Poland's population was estimated to be around 24 million people. This figure accounts for the demographic changes and significant losses that occurred during World War II, including the Holocaust and the devastation of the war.

Approximately 90% of Poland's population identifies as Christians, with a significant majority, around 87%, being Roman Catholics. The country is also home to approximately 0.5 million Orthodox Christians, primarily affiliated with the Polish Orthodox Church. Additionally, there are various Protestant denominations, encompassing an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 believers, including the Evangelical Church in Poland.

Poland's conversion to Christianity dates back to 966 when Mieszko I, the prince of Poland (died 992), initiated the baptism of the nation. The transition to Christianity was influenced by both religious and political factors, which led to the abandonment of Slavic beliefs.

Within the Catholic community in Poland, two main subgroups exist:

1. The Roman Catholic Church
2. The Greek Catholic Church, established in the 17th century as a result of interactions between Orthodox and Roman Catholic groups.

Prominent pilgrimage destinations in the country include Jasna Góra in Częstochowa and Licheń. Poland has produced numerous saints and blessed individuals within the Roman Catholic Church, including notable figures like Pope John Paul II and Jerzy Popiełuszko.

Historically, Poland was a significant center for Jewish life until World War II, with a Jewish population of approximately 6 million. Today, Poland is home to around 10,000 Jewish people, with the majority living in major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, or Łódź. Tragically, a significant portion of the Jewish population perished during the Holocaust, while others emigrated during the post-World War II era marked by antisemitism. Jewish communities have deep roots in Poland, spanning over a thousand years.

Poland also has a Muslim presence, with an estimated population of around 10,000 believers. The country hosts several mosques, with the oldest ones located in Bohoniki and Kruszyniany. The Muslim community in Poland has a long history, dating back over 600 years, particularly in the Podlasie region.