Poles' wallets swell! The Central Statistical Office reveals who gained the most in 2024

Year 2024 turned out to be breakthrough for Polish home budgets, bringing crucial improvements to the material situation. The latest figures of Central Statistical Office (GUS) shed light on how disposable income Poles went up and with them the spending patterns changed. Average monthly disposable income per individual reached the level PLN 3167which represents an awesome increase 18.3% nominal compared to 2023 and taking into account inflation, 14.1% real. These are hard numbers that clearly show: Poles have more money in their wallets. But does this improvement apply to all social groups equally? We analyse who actually gained the most and what these changes mean for everyday life in 2025.

Poland's gross up: Who enjoys a better financial situation?

The CSO study clearly shows that financial optimism in Poland is growing. In 2024 until 57.7% of households assessed its material situation as good or alternatively good, which is simply a noticeable increase compared to 54% reported a year earlier. At the same time, the percent of families who saw their situation as bad fell to just 4.3%. These data are not only statistics, but reflect a real improvement in the quality of life for many citizens. However, the in-depth analysis shows that there are crucial differences behind the overall improvement. At the top of the stake, with the highest income, there are farms of people self-employed outside agriculture, reaching average PLN 3790 per person. That's it. 20% more than the national average, which emphasizes the strength and dynamics of the business sector in Poland. On the another hand, pensioners inactive stay the lowest income group, with an average PLN 2449 per person, which is close 23% less than the national average. This imbalance is crucial for knowing the full image of the Polish home economy.

Spending of Poles: Changes in consumption and what is the biggest burden on the budget?

The increase in income naturally resulted in an increase in expenditure. Average monthly expenditure per individual in 2024 increased to PLN 1878, which means 14.8% nominal growth and 10.8% real. Poles spend more, but for what exactly? Invariably, the largest part of the household budgets consumes food and non-alcoholic beveragesto be allocated 25.3% all expenses. The second key category is costs related to housing and energy, 18.8% budgets. An interesting change is observed in the consumption structure. In 2024 Poles importantly increased consumption sugar (by 8.6%), eggs (by 7.5%), fruit (by 5.9%), animal fats (by 5.3%) and cheeses and curds (by 5%). At the same time, the intake of margarine and vegetable fats (4.5%), fresh milk (2.5%) and bread (1.5%) decreased. These data indicate changing nutritional preferences, possibly towards products seen as more natural or traditional. It is besides worth noting that self-employed farms have benefited considerably more from catering services than farmers or pensioners, which shows an expanding diversification of lifestyles and spending depending on the professional group.

City versus village and farmers' savings: Where are the biggest differences?

Although the general financial situation of Poles has improved, the analysis of the CSO data reveals that they inactive be significant disparities between different social groups and geographical areas. Urban residents inactive have higher incomes – in 2024 urban income was 8.8% higher from the national average, while in the country was 12.9% lower. The situation is akin with expenditure: in cities, they were 12.2% higher average, a in the countryside by 17.9% lower. Farmers stand out as the group with the top savings, their monthly expenditure per individual was average PLN 1311au 30% less than average in Poland. This shows that despite the overall increase in wealth, the differences in purchasing power and lifestyle between the city and the village, as well as between the various professional groups, stay clear. In 2025 these trends can persist, which poses challenges to social and regional policies.

What does this data mean for your wallet in 2025?

The GUS study for 2024 is simply a clear signal: Polish households became richer. Increase in disposable income by 14.1% real That's circumstantial information that should be optimistic. This means that the average Pole has more resources for regular needs, savings or investment, even after inflation has been taken into account. However, it is crucial to realize that this improvement has not spread evenly. Entrepreneurs and city dwellers have clearly gained the most, while pensioners and agrarian residents, though feeling better, inactive have noticeablely little resources. In 2025, this data may be the mention point for financial decisions – both individual and government. This means greater freedom of choice for consumers and the anticipation of raising the standard of living. For decision-makers, further monitoring of disparities and the creation of support programmes for groups that are inactive falling behind. Let us observe how these trends will form the Polish economy in the coming months.