In-depth questions about the current economic issues – assessment and expectations

As of the end of 2023, 7,570 public libraries were operating in Poland, with 871 branches for children and youth and 751 library service points. Public libraries had 124.3 million volumes of collection. 5.3 million library users were recorded.

In the first quarter of 2024, the financial results of cultural institutions increased compared to those obtained in the corresponding period of the previous year. Both total revenues and total costs increased by 18.6% and investment outlays by 19.0% during this period.

There were 15.3% more job vacancies in Poland at the end of the first quarter of 2024 than at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The job vacancy rate increased by 0.11 percentage points (0.89%) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

In 2023 the financial situation of households improved. Households achieved in nominal terms both higher income and expenditure. The level of average monthly available income per capita in 2023 rounded to 1 PLN, amounted to PLN 2678 and was higher by 13.7% in nominal terms, and by 2.1% in real terms than the income in 2022. The average monthly expenditure per capita in households in 2023 reached the value of PLN 1636 and was higher by 9.4% in nominal terms, and lower by 1.8% in real terms than expenditure in 2022. Expenditure on consumer goods and services amounted to PLN 1580 and was higher by 9.8% in nominal terms, and lower by 1.5% in real terms in comparison with 2022.[1] The share of expenditure in available income decreased from 63.5% in 2022 to 61.1% in 2023, and reached the lowest in the period since 2010 level.

As of the end of 2023, there were 3,961 centres of culture, cultural establishments, cultural centres, clubs and community centres. During the year these entities organised 258.8 thousand events, in which 33.5 million participants took part.

At the end of 2023, there were operating 257 health resort facilities. 903.8 thousand patients were admitted to health resort facilities during a year, of which 819.2 thousand were inpatients. 73.0 thousand inpatients were treated in 48 inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Just like in the previous month, indicators released in May show overall stabilisation of the economic situation.