What are Poland's plans and predictions for the year 2024? A recent survey conducted by Quality Watch for BIG InfoMonitor sheds light on the expectations and anticipations of the Polish population for the upcoming year.
The majority of Poles are optimistic about the months ahead. An impressive six out of ten Poles believe that the new year will be better than the previous one. Most anticipate improvements in the country's situation (35%) and their private lives (25%). However, only one in five Poles is hopeful for a favourable financial outcome. The focus, nevertheless, is on money-related changes.
Respondents express a particular desire for a decrease in inflation, a rise in wages, and the resolution of outstanding payments. This aligns with data from the BIG InfoMonitor Debtor Register and the BIK database, indicating a steady increase in these financial concerns, totalling 600 million PLN per month in recent months.
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Predictions for 2024
The belief that the upcoming year will be better is most prevalent among individuals under 25 years old (72%), while those aged 45 to 64 are least likely to share this optimism (52%). Interestingly, the optimistic perspective varies across age groups, with younger generations expecting improvements in their financial and private situations, while those over 35 anticipate a more favourable national situation.
Optimism in assessing 2024 correlates with income and education levels – the higher they are, the easier it is to be optimistic. Those with sufficient funds for their current lives express the most optimism, with at least 59% expecting a better year than the last. However, there is a lack of optimism among those struggling with basic needs, where less than half (47%) anticipate improvement in 2024.
Where are the Most Optimistic Poles?
Regions with the highest percentage of people expecting positive changes in 2024 include Świętokrzyskie, Opole, Pomerania, and West Pomerania. Notably, the latter was influenced by a significant percentage expecting positive financial changes (35%).
Regions such as Łódź and Świętokrzyskie also have approximately 30% of respondents sharing this optimism, while the national average stands at 20%. On the flip side, the least optimistic regions are Warmian-Masurian, Podlaskie, and Lubusz, where an equal number of residents expect the new year to be better as those who foresee no improvement.
Anticipated changes
When considering the three life areas where most Poles expect improvement in 2024, financial matters rank third after transformations in the country's and private lives. Financial topics dominate the list of expected changes for the year, with the majority anticipating a decline in inflation (34%) and a rise in wages (27%).
Despite only about 20% expecting an improvement in their financial situation, many would prefer it not to worsen, with high inflation threatening these expectations. A potential solution lies in wage increases, but not everyone has the opportunity for such raises. The consequences of rising prices and living costs are becoming more severe for those who have faced financial problems before. In October and November of the previous year alone, payment arrears due to delays in loan instalments and non-payment of ongoing bills, alimony, or court costs increased by nearly 1.2 billion PLN.
Sławomir Grzelczak, President of BIG InfoMonitor, notes that 8% of respondents in the survey hope to resolve their financial problems in 2024. Only 6% mentioned the need to repay various types of arrears, emphasising the reluctance to confront these issues. The trajectory of the new year depends on the actions taken.
Source: biznes.meble.pl
