The public debt [close to 55% of the GDP] and budget deficit are the foundation of savings strategy adopted by the government. Poland definitely was not hit by the crisis as hard as some of the western economies, but still there was a slowdown to only 1.7% GDP growth in 2009, and a moderate 3% in 2010 [forecast]
General informations and figures
The public debt [close to 55% of the GDP] and budget deficit are the foundation of savings strategy adopted by the government. Poland definitely was not hit by the crisis as hard as some of the western economies, but still there was a slowdown to only 1.7% GDP growth in 2009, and a moderate 3% in 2010 [forecast].
Unemployment rate (June 2010):9.5%
GDP (bln euro – 2010):353.31
General Government debt (2009 - % GDP):50.9
Public deficit (2009 - % GDP):7.2
Source: Eurostat
Public Employees
Public sector salaries frozen for 2011: except for teachers, who get a small increase negotiated over a year ago, all other public sector employees salaries and wages are frozen.
10% of jobs in public sector are to be cut.
Collective bargaining and labour reform
The tripartite body, setting guidelines for negotiated wage increases, is abolished.
Taxes changes
VAT increase - 1% increase in 2011 in all the sectors up to the maximum of 23%, but the government announces that if cuts in spending are insufficient, they will reach deeper into our pockets up to 25% [maximum allowed by the EU regulations] in 2012.