On Thursday, the government adopted the state budget draft on 2026. A slightly lower deficit (advantage of expenses over income) than this year. I am talking about PLN 271.7 billion.
The budget plan includes a lot of numbers. The most important from the point of view of the economy indicated in the commentary for Business Insider the main economist of ING Bank Śląski Rafał Benecki. He draws attention to the deficit of the public finance sector – it is high, and there is also a revision to a higher one in 2025. This year it will amount to 6.9 percent. GDP to planned 6.3 percent In 2026 it is to be 6.5 percent. GDP.
The remaining, key numbers are given in the following entry on the X. platform.
State budget for 2026. The second highest deficit in the EU
“Poland has and will continue to have the second highest deficit in the European Unionalthough the good condition of the economy saves us a bit, which generates a lot of income and savings, “comments Rafał Benecki.
According to ING economist “The huge weakness of public debate in Poland is to focus on new social expenses, increasing the high budget deficit“He adds that there is no topic of changing the priorities of economic policy in the debate.
“The implementation of all three, i.e. a generous social policy, huge defense expenses and investment needs results in the fact that we have the second highest deficit in the EU in 2026.” – he calculates.
The economist points out that already Currently, Poland is at the forefront of countries with the most generous social policy in the EU. He postulates that this is time to exchange, and important needs are somewhere else.
“For the economy to grow quickly and to afford huge defense expenses, we need larger investments that compete for financing with an extensive social,” he emphasizes.
Budget 2026. A large deficit, but a strong economy
According to Rafał Benecki, after the state budget plan presented on Thursday at 2026. Rating agencies will thunderbut they will rather limit themselves to warning and waiting for the adaptation of budget policy in the future, because Poland was and is still the fastest growing economy of the region, and is also at the forefront of EU countries.
“Hence, the economy is able to finance such huge loan needs. 2025 is the second in a row, when the rest of Central Europe disappoints with the weaker than expected for GDP, and The Polish economy will increase around 3 percent. year on year” – he admits.
He adds that, according to ING Bank Śląski forecasts, it can be up to 3.5 percent.
Do you want to meet other economists' comments to the budget plan for 2026? You will find them here.
