According to the publication, income solely from agricultural production constitutes on average 57.7 percent. total income of farmers' households, 34.6 percent income are various types of subsidies, e.g. direct payments and eco-schemes. The remaining income comes from other sources, including: from paid work (full-time and casual) and pension.
The study shows that 47.6% assessed the financial situation of their own household positively. farmers compared to 52.7 percent people unrelated to agriculture. However, just over 10% rate it negatively. respondents from both groups. These results are similar to those obtained in 2024 and more favorable than the results in 2023.
Deterioration of the financial situation is more common among farmers
Deterioration of the financial situation farmers have noticed their own household in the last 12 months much more often than residents of rural areas not involved in agriculture. 34.3% declare deterioration. farmers and 14.6 percent people unrelated to agriculture.
62 percent people managing farms declare that they are able to support themselves/their family solely from the farm. The percentage of affirmative answers (“definitely yes”) increased significantly compared to the two previous years: 28.7% and 28.7% respectively. in 2025; 16.5 percent in 2024 and 16.3 percent in 2023 – indicated the authors of the report.
More than three quarters of farmers participating in the study (79.2%) are not currently considering ceasing agricultural activity. Among the key barriers to the development of farms, farmers mention: low profitability of production (47.7% of total responses), too high land prices (29.8% of total responses), lack of people willing to work in agriculture (28.8% of total responses), difficulties with selling products (28.2% of total responses) and too small acreage of the farm (25.7% of total responses).
The dominant reason for not taking up additional work by farmers is lack of time (work on the farm does not leave time for additional work – 57%), and secondly, the sufficient level of income obtained from agriculture (25.2%).
According to the report, every fourth farmer (24.2%) declares their readiness to keep agricultural accounting on their farm, and every second farmer (51.1%) supports the introduction of mandatory insurance for agricultural crops and livestock.
60 percent farmers claim that agriculture in Poland is profitable
Opinions on whether agriculture in Poland is profitable are divided both among farmers and people not involved in agriculture. 60.7 percent farmers consider agricultural activity profitable, and 16.4 percent considered unprofitable. Compared to the years 2022-2024, the percentage of opinions that agricultural activity in Poland is profitable has increased.
For years, rural residents have consistently indicated agricultural production as the most important role of rural areas in Poland (69.6% of responses in total), followed by environmental protection (56.7% in total) and protection of cultural heritage (38.7% in total). Compared to the previous year, it decreased by almost 5%. support for the production functions of villages, which is not a favorable change in the context of the need to ensure food security – say the authors of the report.
Satisfied with living in the countryside
Almost all inhabitants of rural areas are satisfied with living in the countryside (94.3%). This is declared by both farmers and people not involved in agriculture.
According to respondents, the incentive for young people to stay or live in rural areas would be primarily jobs in the commune (46.3% of responses), lower costs of obtaining a house/apartment than in the city (45.4% of responses) and support for families with children (31% of responses). Almost half of the inhabitants of rural areas notice it in their area limited access to public transport (55.3%) and limited access to doctors and medical facilities (48.5%).
Farmers for the EU
The pollsters also asked rural residents about their assessment of Poland's membership in the European Union. Three quarters of them (75.9%) indicated that the quality of life in rural areas had improved since Poland's accession to the EU. If a referendum on this matter were held now, then 63.4 percent inhabitants of rural areas would vote for membershipwhile 14 percent against accession.
The study was conducted by Market Research World. It was implemented in September this year. commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ARiMR, KRUS and KOWR on a research sample of 2,250 inhabitants of rural areas using direct interviews. Half of the respondents were farmers – owners or co-owners of agricultural land managing a farm.
