Poland’s population increased by 37,000 lasy year, reaching over 38 million, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) has announced. 

In 2009, just as in 2008, Poland reported an increased birth rate. For the second time in thirteen years more Poles were born than died. At the end of 2009, the number of Poles increased by 37,000 in comparison with the previous year, reaching 38.173 million people. Thereby, Poland is the sixth most populated EU member state and thirty-second most populated country in the world.  

The rate of population growth amounted to 0.1 percent (in 2008 it reached 0.05 percent). Until 2008 the number of Poles was gradually going down and in eleven years it decreased by 179,000 people, reported the Main Statistical Office.  

An average age of Poles in 2009 reached 37.5 years. The Main Statistical Office warns that the Polish population is aging. It is estimated that by 2035 the number of people of working age (18-59 years for women and 18-64 for men) will have decreased from 24.6 million people in 2008 to 20.7 million people. (mg)