Relations between Poland and the United States have a long and complex history, dating back to the struggle for independence of both nations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, America was a symbol of freedom and a chance for a better life for many Poles, and emigration significantly strengthened social and cultural ties between countries.
After World War II, despite the difficult political realities in Central and Eastern Europe, the United States consistently supported Poles' aspirations for sovereignty and democracy, which was expressed, among others, in support for political changes in the late 1980s.
Today, Polish-American relations are based primarily on partnership within NATO, military cooperation and convergent interests in the field of regional security. Economic and technological cooperation, including investments, trade and scientific exchange, also plays an important role. Thanks to this, both countries see each other not only as political allies, but also as partners in building stability and development in Europe and in the world.
Poland: family beyond divisions
In the survey conducted by OGB, respondents could indicate more than one value that they associate with Poland. It turned out to be the strongest association for them family – pointed at her 50.61 percent respondents. They took the next places security (35.39%) and belief (27.75%).
Importantly, this image of Poland is extremely socially coherent. Family remains number one among both women (51.1%) and men (43.18%), as well as beyond political divisions. It was most often indicated by voters of the left (52.36%) and center (51.74%), but also of the right (42.15%) and undecided people (36.79%).
Also in almost all age groups, family remains the most important value associated with Poland. The exception are the youngest respondents in age 18-29 years oldfor whom it turned out to be more important security (49.30%), and the family took second place (47.43%).
The value that is most strongly associated with Poland is family
Although the family wins almost everywhere, further places in the ranking depend on political views.
For Poles with views left and center the second most important value associated with Poland is security (38.82% and 38.30% respectively). On the other hand right puts it second faith — 35.20 percent indications (at 28.92% for safety).
Family was a value associated with Poland, regardless of the age of the respondents
The issue of third place is similar: left and center indicate freedomwhereas the right hand in this place indicates safety.
Family was a value associated with Poland, regardless of the views of the respondents
Two Americas in the eyes of Poles. The USA is definitely associated with one thing
When it comes to Poles' perception of the United States, the picture is even more clear. Until 49.73 percent of them associate the USA primarily with money. This association dominates in all social groups — regardless of gender, age, place of residence or political views.
Among Poles, the most common value associated with the USA was money
Among left-wing supporters, 44.52 percent mentioned money, as many as 58.74 percent among center supporters, and 38.24 percent among right-wing supporters. respondents.
Only subsequent associations with the USA show clear political differences.
Respondents with views left and center in further places they rather indicated values negative — greed (39.90 percent for the left and 38.72 percent for the center) and mendacity (39.31 percent and 30.79 percent).
Money was the most frequently indicated value that Poles associate with the USA. This view is visible regardless of age or place of residence
In turn, people with opinions right-wing they chose associations more often positive: : security (32.19%) i freedom (31.31%). Among people declaring their worldview definitely conservative that's it freedom is most often associated with the USA – 41.23%. indications.
The association of the USA with money also dominated regardless of the Poles' worldview
Poles' conservatism and the economic power of the USA. “I can only confirm”
President of the National Polish American Foundation, Piotr Nowocień, commenting on the survey results, emphasizes that data for Poland indicate a clear social consensus. “The research results showing that the three values most strongly associated with Poland are family, security and faith are proof that Poland is associated with features considered conservative and there is a social consensus on this,” he says.
As he adds, this is best evidenced by the fact that even people with left-wing views consider family and security to be the two values most strongly associated with the country on the Vistula River. “Polish society is quite conservative and there is no indication that there will be any spectacular change in the near future,” he notes.
The head of the National Research Group, Łukasz Pawłowski, has a similar opinion, noting that Poland, compared to the USA, but also the EU, still stands out in the way it perceives what we commonly call “traditional values”.
“We often forget about this in public debate and politics. About 40 percent of us live in rural areas, and many Poles still attend church regularly. The place where we want our children to learn values is primarily home and school” – notes Pawłowski.
President of the Polish-American National Foundation Piotr Nowocień (left) and head of the Polish National Research Group Łukasz Pawłowski (right)
According to Nowocień, the dominance of money in associations with the USA is also not surprising. “The research result for the US – money indicated as the value most strongly associated with the United States – is not surprising. It is simply an acknowledgment of the fact that The United States is an economic and technological superpower. It's also an expression respect for the American Dream – the USA is perceived as a place where you can achieve great wealth through your own work and entrepreneurship“- he states.
Nowocień confirms that as a Polish entrepreneur operating in the USA, he is realizing his own American dream. “I can only confirm that the United States is still a country of enormous opportunities” – he declares.
Donald Trump's influence on the perception of the USA
Nowocień directly links the differences in Poles' assessments of the United States to… the policy of current US President Donald Trump.
“Further places in the survey on values indicate the emotions aroused by President Donald Trump's conservative counter-revolution. Poles with right-wing views appreciate the restoration of freedom, the fight against socialism and decisive action for the security and interests of the United States. “Further left-leaning respondents may not support these changes, but these are the changes Americans voted for in 2024, and President Trump is pursuing his agenda,” he says.
The data contained in the report comes from an opinion survey of Polish residents, which was conducted on January 12-19, 2026, using the CATI method. A representative sample of N = 1,000 adult residents was surveyed. The sample was selected in a quota-random manner based on the following criteria: gender, age, education and place of residence (data according to the Central Statistical Office).
