1. DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS  Population is 38,635,144 (est. Jul ‘05)  0-14 years: 16.7% (M 3,319,176/F 3,150,859)  15-64 years: 70.3% (M 13,506,153/F 13,638,265)  65 years and over: 13% (M 1,912,431/F 3,108,260)

2. Trends in population  Sex Ratio at birth: 1.06 M/F < 15: 1.05 M/F 15-64: 0.99 M/F +65: 0.62 M/F total population: 0.94 M/F (2005 est.)  Population growth rate is at estimated 0.03% in 2005  Birth rate is 10.78 births/1000 population  Death rate is 10.01 deaths/1,000 population  Net migration rate is (-) 0.49 migrants/ 1000 population

3. Religions  Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing)  Eastern Orthodox 1.3%  Protestant 0.3%  other 0.3%  unspecified 8.3% (2002)

4. Literacy Rates  definition: age 15 and over can read and write  Total Population: 99.8% male: 99.8% male: 99.7% Source: CIA FACTBOOK, 2003 ESTIMATE

5. CULTURE  The strongest traditions are during religious feasts.  The most important day in a polish person’s life is his or her “ name day”--the day of observance patron saint.  Enjoying meals with families and friends.  Pleasing your guest is high honor and requirement in polish home.  Polish people find a successful family life is the most important value.

6. Household Structure  One of the lowest divorce rates in Europe.  This is certainly in part due to the significance of religion  The most popular family model is the 2 + 2 formula (mother, father, and two children).

7. Leisure Activities  Poles are also going in for more and more sports activities.  Cycling, going to fitness centres, bowling and roller skating are the sports recently in fashion  Only watching television enjoys greater popularity - Poles watch an average of 4 hours a day.  In recent years visiting shopping malls has grown to be one of the most popular pastimes.

8. Influence of the family  The family, the traditional center of Polish social life, assumed a vital role in this informal system.  Everyday urban life assumed some characteristics of traditional rural life.  For both professional and working classes, extended families and circles of friends helped when a family or individual was not self- sufficient.

9. Religious Influences  Majority of poles are Catholics  The catholic church was not only a spiritual institution but also a social and political force.  Catholic poles are very religious and attend church at least once a week  One mechanism that has emerged over the last two years has been the charitable foundation, supports of hospitals and non profit organizations.

10. Economic Factors  Total active force in Poland is 19.9 million people  32% of workers are employed in the industry  The rest work for private services  17% of population is unemployed

11. Business Environment  Not informal trade barrier because they are actively trying to attract foreign investment (FI)  Strong support for FI and business to combat the high level of unemployment  Investing in local Polish talent and sales teams would be a good idea. This will take advantage of lower costs This would be a good way to become a long term player and gain market shares in Poland

12. Recommendation