According to the “GfK Purchasing Power Europe 2023” study, the average purchasing power per inhabitant in Poland is EUR 10,903 in 2023. This is approximately 38% lower than the European average. Poland was ranked 29th among the 42 analysed countries.

However, the differences by region in Poland are enormous. In the richest Warsaw, the net disposable income (EUR 17,980 net) is almost three times higher than in the Kolno district which is at the bottom of the list (EUR 6765 net).

GfK’s ranking shows that despite significant improvements in living standards in Poland over recent years, there is still a significant gap between regions. Only 83 poviats have above-average purchasing power per capita, while the net disposable income of 297 poviats is below the national average. “Compared to last year, there is only one change in the top ten in 2023: Tychy loses three places and falls to the 13th position, while the Western Warsaw district is now in 10th place with a net disposable income of EUR 13,768 per capita”, said client business partner at GfK – an NIQ Company Agnieszka Szlaska-Bąk.

The GfK study shows that only Warsaw in Poland can match the European average, which is €17,688 in 2023. In total, Europeans in 2023 have around €12.1 billion to spend on food, housing, services, energy costs, private pensions, insurance, holidays, mobility, and consumer purchases.

As in previous years, Liechtenstein topped the purchasing power ranking. Its residents boast a per capita purchasing power of EUR 68,843, almost four times higher than the European average. Switzerland (€49,592) and Luxembourg (€40,931) came second and third.

Adrian Andrzejewski