Poland outclasses Hungary. This is the economic balance of 22 years in the EU

Data provided by the World Bank show that since Poland's accession to the EU in 2004, Poland's GDP has increased almost 3.6 times over the past two decades, from USD 256 billion to nearly USD 918 billion. At the same time, Hungary's GDP increased from PLN 104 billion to nearly USD 223 billion, i.e. more than twice.

Poland and Hungary were among the 10 countries that joined the European Union on May 1, 2004. A comparison of historical and current World Bank data shows that the condition of the Hungarian economy was better than that of the Polish one. However, in the two decades that have passed since accession, Poland's economic growth has turned out to be much higher.

In 2004, the nominal gross domestic product of Poland was USD 256.27 billion, and that of Hungary, which is almost four times smaller, was USD 104.02 billion. Therefore, Polish GDP was less than 2.5 times greater than Hungarian one.

In terms of GDP per capita, there was a significant distance between Poland and Hungary: The average Pole earned PLN 6,711,000. dollars, and Hungary 10,291 thousand, i.e. more than one and a half times more.

In 2024, 20 years after both countries entered the EU, the nominal Polish GDP amounted to USD 917.77 billion and was already more than four times larger than the Hungarian one – USD 222.72 billion. Poland was also ahead of Hungary in terms of gross domestic product per capita. GDP per capita amounted to 25,103 thousand in Poland and 23,292 thousand in Hungary. dollars.

Tracing the dynamics of economic growth in both countries in the 20 years since accession to the European Union shows that the Polish economy has shown greater resistance to global economic turmoil. This is especially visible in the data for 2009, which was the culmination of the global financial crisis that started a year earlier with the collapse of the mortgage market in the United States. Poland maintained economic growth at 2.6 percent, while Hungary experienced a recession – the country's GDP dropped by 6.7 percent.

The Polish economy also weathered better the shock caused to the global economy by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to World Bank data, Poland's GDP fell by 2% in 2020, but in Hungary the recession turned out to be deeper and GDP dropped there by 4.3%.

In 2023, when the European economy was most affected by the Russian attack on Ukraine, Poland managed to maintain minimal economic growth of 0.2%. During this time, Hungarian GDP decreased by 0.8%.

The latest data from the World Bank indicate that in 2024 the Polish economy will grow by 3%, while Hungary's GDP will increase by 0.6%.

According to data presented by the World Bank, unemployment in Poland and Hungary has remained at a similar low level in recent years. In 2025, it amounted to 3% in Poland and 4.5% in Hungary. However, in 2004 the situation was different: in Hungary unemployment remained at a relatively low level of 5.8 percent, while in Poland it was double-digit and amounted to 18.8 percent.

Parliamentary elections are taking place in Hungary on Sunday, in which it will be decided whether the Fidesz party, which has been in power since 2010, will continue to govern the country. In recent weeks, most independent polls showed support for the opposition Tisza at the level of 49 to 58 percent. among decisive voters, with support for Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz ranging between 35 and 38 percent. The research also showed growing support for the opposition while the popularity of the ruling party was declining. Polls from centers linked to the government show Fidesz's advantage, amounting to several percentage points. (PAP)

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