Poland vs Germany: How They Really Compare on Jobs, Safety and Growth

Taking a closer look at the data to ask whether Warsaw's conservative politics or Berlin's more liberal direction is more successful.

Photo by Iwona Castiello d'Antonio on Unsplash

Many people wonder how Poland and Germany really compare on economic performance, crime and migration outcomes. Warsaw has lower unemployment and rapid GDP growth, while Berlin has a more diverse labour market and higher life satisfaction — but what do the data actually show? This article breaks down the numbers and examines the myths often used in political debates on both sides.

Is Poland safer than Germany?

A friend recently sent me an outtake of a speech by an MEP for Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party in which he made the argument that Poland is a much safer, better-functioning country than its western European neighbours thanks to the fact that it doesn't have any illegal immigration.

“The EU state with the lowest unemployment is Poland, the highest GDP after Covid in the EU is Poland, one of lowest debts is Poland’s. So don't give us this rubbish about the need for educated immigration. We don't need your doctors, we don't need your…