Middle income trap – Polish perspective

Abstract

The problem of middle income traps has become one of the most frequently discussed subjects in both popular and scientific literature. It refers to a situation in which a given country, after reaching a certain level of development, is no longer able to sustain a high growth rate. The aim of the article is to analyze whether and if so, how much is Poland at risk of falling into the trap of average income. The aim of the article is to investigate whether – and if so to what extent – the threat to fall into the trap of average income concerns Poland. A literature analysis and analysis based on the statistical data available in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Eurostat databases were carried out for this purpose. The question of whether Poland is vulnerable and whether it will fall into the trap of average income should be answered positively because the state and forecasts of the situation in Poland clearly indicate that it is characterized by a number of factors determining and making it susceptible to fall into this trap. On the other hand, however, it should be noted that over the last quarter century Poland has made a huge step forward, restructuring and completely changing its economy. It cannot be ruled out that in the years to come we will see another great change so as not to waste our chances of development and ultimately achieve the ultimate goal of building a prosperous, strong state with a solid economy based on solid foundations.