In recent years Polish economy has recorded sustainable growth. GDP has been growing at high rate, inflation was low, unemployment has been falling. Key macroeconomic indicators are presented in the table below.

Variable	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	1H 2009
GDP (bn PLN)*	744	780	809	843	925	983	1,060	1,175	1,266	-
GDP change (preceding year=100)*	104.3	101.2	101.4	103.9	105.3	103.6	106.2	106.7	104.8	101.1
FDI inflow (EUR million)**	10,334	6,372	4,371	4,067	10,237	8,330	15,741	16,674	10,970	962
Unemployment rate (%)*	15.1	17.5	20.0	20.0	19.0	17.6	14.8	11.2	9.5	10.8
Exports (EUR million)**	39,022	46,537	49,338	53,836	65,847	77,562	93,406	105,893	114,566	45,656
Imports (EUR million)**	52,349	55,094	57,039	58,913	70,399	79,804	98,945	118,262	139,329	49,408
External trade turnover (EUR million)**	91,371	101,631	106,377	112,749	136,246	157,366	192,351	224,155	259,895	95,064
External trade balance (EUR million)**	-13,327	-8,557	-7,701	-5,077	-4,552	-2,242	-5,539	-12,369	-24,761	-3,752
Inflation rate (CPI, preceding year=100)*	110.1	105.5	101.9	100.8	103.5	102.1	101.0	102.5	104.2	103.5
Source: *Central Statistical Office (GUS), **National Bank of Poland (NBP)

Basic information about Poland

Area	312,679 km2
Population	38.1 m
Capital	Warsaw, 1,702 thous. inhabitants
Administrative divisions	16 Voivodships, 314 Poviats, 2478 Communes
Legislative Branch	Sejm (460 representatives), Senat (100 representatives)
Executive Branch	President (5 year term), Council of Ministers (4 year term)
Judicial Branch	Supreme Court, common courts, administrative courts, military courts
Time zone	GMT +1
Currency	1 Zloty (PLN) = 100 Groszy
Life expectancy	Females 79.7, males 71.0

More facts about Poland may be found in the publication of the Central Statistical Office Poland in the European Union Poland in Figures and Poland in the European Union.