Poles feel more stable. But public debt and private debt beat records in 2025!

The Poles seem to have been relieved. The latest data is surprising: Only 11 percent of citizens declare that they live “moderately or poorly”. This is the lowest score in years and a clear signal of a increasing sense of financial stableness in society. More and more families feel that they can cope with their regular expenses and are not worried about basic needs. However, under this apparent oasis of tranquillity, there is simply a increasing problem that can shortly hit any home budget. We are talking about evidence debt – both private and public – which will scope historical peaks in 2025, creating a ticking bomb for the Polish economy and citizens' portfolios.

Despite falling inflation, which in 2025 is expected to be around 3.9 percentand in 2026 fall to 3.1 percentThe cost of surviving remains high. Moreover, the banks loosened the criteria for lending, which combined with the improvement of moods, prompts more and more Poles to enter into fresh commitments. Experts warn: this trend can lead to a steep increase in household debt, putting the long-term financial stableness of millions of families at risk. Is safety just a temporary illusion?

Poles are in debt, even though they feel rich?

The paradox is striking. On the 1 hand, we feel better. On the another hand, private debt figures are alarming and should light a red light in all house. It is estimated that already one in 7 households in Poland are incapable to pay their current accounts. These are not isolated cases, but a mass phenomenon that affects millions. The full amount of backlog of Poles has already exceeded PLN 43 billionAnd that's just the tip of the iceberg.

A actual image of the scale of the problem shows that over 2.5 million adult Poles has serious financial problems. The sum of their unpaid debts is around PLN 86.5 billion. These data, despite affirmative moods, show deep cracks in home budgets. The increased availability of loans, although at first glance it seems to be an ease, becomes a trap for those who are incapable to truly measure their repayment possibilities. The deficiency of an adequate financial cushion for emergency spending frequently exacerbates the crisis, leading to a debt spiral that is highly hard to get out of.

Public debt: A silent giant who hits everyone

At the same time, Poland is struggling with increasing private debt historical evidence of public debtThe consequences of which will be felt by all citizen. At the end of 2024 the country's public debt was 55.3 percent of GDP. Forecasts for the coming years are even more worrying: in 2025 it is expected to emergence to 58 percent, and in 2026 exceed the symbolic barrier 60 percent of GDP. These are not only dry numbers, but a signal of serious challenges for the future of the state and its people.

Such advanced public debt means above all higher debt handling costs. alternatively of investing in development, education or wellness care, the state will gotta allocate expanding amounts to pay interest. This in turn leads to limited investment opportunities in infrastructure, innovation or public services, which in the long word will reduce the quality of life of all Poles. Experts have already pointed out that the expanding obligations of the state may in future translate into the request to rise taxes or cuts in public expenditure. This means that each of us, regardless of the individual financial situation, will endure the consequences of this gigantic debt.

Is your wallet safe? Urgent action in 2025

A situation where the debt of the state and citizens is increasing simultaneously creates an highly dangerous cocktail. The sense of financial stability, although real to parts of society, is fragile and can rapidly vanish in the face of unforeseen events. Many families, even those who declare well-being, live without savings, which, with abrupt expenses – illness, failure of work or car breakdown – can rapidly deepen the household budget crisis.

This is the best time to start planning spending wisely and building your financial safety cushion. Even putting aside tiny amounts, in the order of PLN 50 or PLN 100 per month, can make a buffer of protection in the position of the year. Review your current credit obligations – can you renegotiate terms, consolidate debts? Be careful with fresh loans, especially in the face of loose bank criteria. The year 2025 is not only a time of optimism, but above all an urgent request for informed financial management, both at individual and state level, to avoid future painful consequences.