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Economy of Poland vs Ukraine compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a GDP of $918B compared to $191B for Ukraine, ranking 21/197 and 57/197 by economy size, respectively.

Poland has $507B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $171B (89.7% of GDP) in Ukraine.

Poland vs Ukraine GDP by year

Poland
Ukraine
1x
Year GDP, current $
Poland Ukraine
2024 $917,767,106,147 $190,741,262,415
2023 $812,451,193,396 $181,221,517,869
2022 $695,607,470,875 $161,989,520,721
2021 $689,170,230,665 $199,765,859,571
2020 $605,914,237,904 $156,617,722,013
2019 $602,683,770,145 $153,883,047,510
2018 $594,616,687,350 $130,891,088,294
2017 $528,356,676,667 $112,090,505,082
2016 $473,259,583,970 $93,355,869,404
2015 $480,054,118,583 $91,030,967,789
2014 $542,134,167,179 $133,503,871,862
2013 $518,179,836,405 $190,498,811,460
2012 $498,148,649,703 $182,591,753,828
2011 $527,848,543,023 $169,333,835,202
2010 $478,111,630,684 $141,209,170,427
2009 $440,891,472,247 $121,552,153,444
2008 $535,612,030,672 $188,110,390,660
2007 $429,715,132,138 $148,733,861,386
2006 $345,897,630,736 $111,884,752,475
2005 $306,999,913,151 $89,238,865,119
2004 $256,268,656,145 $67,220,154,164
2003 $218,561,225,998 $52,010,355,753
2002 $199,694,463,256 $43,956,163,612
2001 $191,823,200,371 $39,309,580,983
2000 $172,953,527,033 $32,375,083,935
1999 $170,704,452,715 $31,580,639,554
1998 $175,282,269,667 $41,882,523,345
1997 $159,893,964,917 $50,151,531,592
1996 $160,813,026,223 $44,558,831,005
1995 $142,838,527,115 $48,213,856,469
1994 $110,803,635,288 $52,549,580,265
1993 $96,043,157,273 $65,648,559,903
1992 $94,337,050,693 $73,945,908,384
1991 $85,500,935,935 $77,350,733,982
1990 $65,977,748,211 $81,393,558,423
1989 - $82,709,161,099
1988 - $74,703,517,903
1987 - $64,087,694,038

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

GDP per capita in Poland vs Ukraine by year

Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ukraine
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Poland Ukraine
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $25,104 $51,263 $5,038 $18,550
2023 $22,145 $48,473 $4,803 $17,665
2022 $18,891 $46,778 $3,946 $14,770
2021 $18,636 $41,060 $4,510 $17,846
2020 $16,151 $37,089 $3,505 $15,541
2019 $15,875 $35,882 $3,423 $14,217
2018 $15,658 $32,345 $2,895 $12,555
2017 $13,913 $30,170 $2,467 $11,536
2016 $12,464 $28,360 $2,047 $10,865
2015 $12,638 $26,988 $1,988 $9,922
2014 $14,262 $25,460 $2,904 $10,494
2013 $13,622 $24,434 $4,130 $10,904
2012 $13,087 $23,728 $3,951 $9,552
2011 $13,868 $22,809 $3,657 $9,127
2010 $12,568 $20,991 $3,040 $8,453
2009 $11,556 $19,300 $2,607 $7,995
2008 $14,049 $18,372 $4,018 $9,324
2007 $11,273 $16,833 $3,160 $8,900
2006 $9,069 $15,205 $2,366 $7,971
2005 $8,044 $13,936 $1,875 $7,142
2004 $6,712 $13,413 $1,401 $6,663
2003 $5,721 $12,329 $1,076 $5,764
2002 $5,223 $11,841 $903 $5,123
2001 $5,015 $11,175 $800 $4,747
2000 $4,521 $10,721 $653 $4,228
1999 $4,416 $10,081 $632 $3,871
1998 $4,534 $9,521 $831 $3,794
1997 $4,137 $8,967 $987 $3,794
1996 $4,164 $8,310 $870 $3,812
1995 $3,701 $7,715 $933 $4,124
1994 $2,875 $7,040 $1,009 $4,565
1993 $2,497 $6,560 $1,254 $5,766
1992 $2,459 $6,193 $1,413 $6,568
1991 $2,236 $5,925 $1,483 $7,148
1990 $1,731 $6,185 $1,564 $7,591
1989 - - $1,593 -
1988 - - $1,444 -
1987 - - $1,244 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

Poland's GDP per capita is $25,104, ranking 48/197, compared to $5,038 in Ukraine, ranking 120/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263, while Ukraine ranks 101st at $18,550.

Economic indicators

Poland Ukraine
Gross domestic product
$918B
2024
$191B
2024
GDP rank
21/197
2024
57/197
2024
GDP growth
3.03%
2023-2024
2.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$5,038
2024
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$18,550
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
43/197
2024
101/197
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$171B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
89.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$4,520
2024
Government debt per person rank
41/185
2024
86/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$5,370
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$4.42B
2018
Number of billionaires
10
2025
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
21.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
4.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
71.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.78%
2023-2024
6.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
15.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
9.83%
2021
Population
35806942
40125599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Poland
Spending

Debt
Ukraine
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Poland Ukraine
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 55.3% 71.3% 89.7%
2023 46.9% 49.5% 73.4% 81.2%
2022 43.2% 48.8% 65.4% 77.7%
2021 43.6% 53% 40.5% 48.9%
2020 47.7% 56.6% 45.6% 60.5%
2019 41.4% 45.2% 41.5% 50.5%
2018 41% 48.2% 41.9% 60.4%
2017 41.1% 50.4% 41.7% 71.6%
2016 41.1% 54.1% 40.8% 79.5%
2015 41.5% 51.1% 43% 79.3%
2014 42.7% 51.1% 44.8% 70.3%
2013 43.2% 56.9% 48.1% 40.5%
2012 43.2% 54.5% 49% 37.5%
2011 44.1% 54.8% 45.7% 36.9%
2010 46% 53.7% 49.2% 40.6%
2009 44.9% 49.7% 48.6% 35.4%
2008 44% 46.6% 47.1% 20.4%
2007 42.8% 44.4% 43.7% 12.3%
2006 44.3% 47.1% 44.6% 14.8%
2005 44.1% 46.5% 44.2% 17.7%
2004 43.3% 44.9% 41.6% 24.8%
2003 45.5% 46.4% 38.9% 29.4%
2002 45.1% 41.6% 37.9% 33.6%
2001 44.7% 37.2% 36.7% 36.7%
2000 43.1% 36.4% 35.5% 43.8%
1999 42.5% 39.4% 25.8% 59%
1998 44% 38.7% 37.1% 46.5%
1997 46.1% 42.7% 40.8% 28.9%
1996 50.7% 43.2% 36.9% 24.4%
1995 47.5% 48.7% 41.3% 30.2%
1994 - 64.3% - -
1993 - 83.9% - -
1992 - 81.9% - -
1991 - 76.9% - -
1990 - 89.7% - -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 35.6% - - -
1978 35.8% - - -
1977 35.6% - - -
1976 34.8% - - -
1975 34.1% - - -
1974 28.6% - - -
1973 24.5% - - -
1972 24.1% - - -
1971 24.1% - - -
1970 25.8% - - -
1969 26.3% - - -
1968 27.3% - - -
1967 29.6% - - -
1966 31.7% - - -
1965 31.8% - - -
1964 33.5% - - -
1963 33.3% - - -
1962 43% - - -
1961 42.8% - - -
1960 39.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

In 2024, Poland's government spending was $453B, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Ukraine spent $136B, or 71.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Poland and 89.7% in Ukraine, ranking 95/185 and 33/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Poland

Ukraine
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Poland Ukraine
2024 -6.59% -17.2%
2023 -5.27% -19.3%
2022 -3.44% -15.6%
2021 -1.75% -3.97%
2020 -6.85% -5.92%
2019 -0.73% -2.08%
2018 -0.24% -2.12%
2017 -1.49% -2.36%
2016 -2.38% -2.46%
2015 -2.59% -1.16%
2014 -3.66% -4.46%
2013 -4.25% -4.78%
2012 -3.8% -4.31%
2011 -4.97% -2.76%
2010 -7.43% -5.77%
2009 -7.24% -6.27%
2008 -3.6% -3.14%
2007 -1.88% -1.97%
2006 -3.53% -1.36%
2005 -3.93% -2.28%
2004 -4.99% -4.41%
2003 -6.02% -0.89%
2002 -4.8% -1.84%
2001 -4.73% -3.03%
2000 -4% -3.19%
1999 -2.3% 4.95%
1998 -4.25% -2.69%
1997 -4.61% -5.37%
1996 -4.84% -3.09%
1995 -4.39% -4.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

In 2024, Poland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $60.4B, equivalent to 6.59% of GDP. This compares to Ukraine's deficit of $32.8B, or 17.2% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Poland recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Ukraine ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Poland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.45% of GDP for Ukraine.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Poland

Ukraine
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Poland Ukraine
2024 3.78% 6.5%
2023 11.5% 12.9%
2022 14.4% 20.2%
2021 5.06% 9.4%
2020 3.37% 2.7%
2019 2.23% 7.9%
2018 1.81% 10.9%
2017 2.08% 14.4%
2016 -0.66% 13.9%
2015 -0.87% 48.7%
2014 0.05% 12.1%
2013 0.99% -0.3%
2012 3.56% 0.6%
2011 4.24% 8%
2010 2.58% 9.4%
2009 3.8% 15.9%
2008 4.16% 25.2%
2007 2.46% 12.8%
2006 1.28% 9.1%
2005 2.18% 13.5%
2004 3.38% 9%
2003 0.68% 5.2%
2002 1.91% 0.8%
2001 5.41% 12%
2000 9.9% 28.2%
1999 7.15% 22.7%
1998 11.6% 10.6%
1997 14.9% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Poland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 12.8% in Ukraine. In 2024, inflation was 3.78% in Poland and 6.5% in Ukraine.

Top exports between countries

Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.92B
Raw materials & minerals $3.06B
Weapons & explosives $2.51B
Chemicals & pharma $1.3B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.28B
Metals $647M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $622M
Wood & paper products $313M
Animal & marine products $253M
Raw agricultural goods $231M
Ukraine
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.17B
Metals $958M
Raw materials & minerals $672M
Textiles & consumer goods $392M
Machinery & equipment $383M
Wood & paper products $359M
Raw agricultural goods $218M
Chemicals & pharma $122M
Animal & marine products $81M
Miscellaneous $37.6M

Balance of trade

Poland Ukraine
Current account balance
$2.8B
2024
-$15.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2024
179/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.3%
2024
-7.94%
2024
Goods imports
$367B
2024
$72.3B
2024
Goods exports
$361B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Service imports
$74.9B
2024
$22.9B
2024
Service exports
$118B
2024
$17.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.2%
2024
48.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
29.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Poland Ukraine
Economic freedom 68.5 54.1
Economic freedom ranking 46/197 135/197
Property rights 71.8 21.6
Government integrity 60.7 35
Judicial effectiveness 62.5 28.2
Tax burden 72.7 83.7
Government spending 35.1 0
Fiscal health 74.8 3.9
Business freedom 77.5 57.4
Labor freedom 53.7 46.9
Monetary freedom 73.8 65.7
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 80 35
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Poland
Ukraine
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Poland Ukraine
2026 68.5 -
2025 67.1 -
2024 66 -
2023 67.7 -
2022 68.7 54.1
2021 69.7 56.2
2020 69.1 54.9
2019 67.8 52.3
2018 68.5 51.9
2017 68.3 48.1
2016 69.3 46.8
2015 68.6 46.9
2014 67 49.3
2013 66 46.3
2012 64.2 46.1
2011 64.1 45.8
2010 63.2 46.4
2009 60.3 48.8
2008 60.3 51
2007 58.1 51.5
2006 59.3 54.4
2005 59.6 55.8
2004 58.7 53.7
2003 61.8 51.1
2002 65 48.2
2001 61.8 48.5
2000 60 47.8
1999 59.6 43.7
1998 59.2 40.4
1997 56.8 43.5
1996 57.8 40.6
1995 50.7 39.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Poland is 68.5, ranking 46/197, compared to 54.1 for Ukraine, ranking 135/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Poland Ukraine
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
19%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
7.11%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$184B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,540
2024
$18,560
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$43.8B
2024
Total reserves ranking
17/177
2024
46/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.6B
2024
-$3.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6B
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10B
2024
$305M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.3%
2024
23.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.8%
2024
18.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/poland/ukraine | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.