In recent years, there has been increasing talk about the fastest growing cities in Europe, and analyses by Oxford Economics and Eurostat clearly point to Poland as the leader in this trend. As many as 10 of the 20 fastest growing urban economies in the European Union between 2010 and 2025 are Polish cities.
Such a strong presence at the top of the ranking shows that Poland has become one of the most dynamically developing markets in Europe. This is not only the result of stable economic growth, but also of the consistent building of the country’s position as a business, logistics and technology hub in this part of the continent.
Polish dominance in the European ranking
Of the 169 European Union cities analysed, half of the top 20 are Polish cities. What is more, five of them are in the top positions:
- Wrocław – 3rd place
- Gdańsk – 6th place
- Kraków – 7th place
- Warsaw – 8th place
- Poznań – 9th place
The top twenty also included Szczecin, Białystok, Lublin, Katowice and Bydgoszcz.
Why are Polish cities growing so rapidly?
In Central and Eastern Europe, the main driver of economic growth is productivity growth, while in Western European countries, growth is based more on rising employment. In Poland, innovation, technology and business efficiency are becoming the basis for development, enabling cities to increase their competitiveness and attract investors.
The most important sectors driving development:
- business services and ICT – a key growth factor in 15 of the 20 fastest-growing cities,
- logistics and transport – Poland is becoming a European logistics hub,
- modern industry and high-tech manufacturing,
- tourism and real estate development supported by dynamic urban planning.
Gdańsk – an example of urban and economic transformation
Over the last five years, Gdańsk has achieved an average annual economic growth of over 6%, which is twice the average for 169 EU cities. This result is better than that of most cities in the top 20 of the ranking – the only exception being the record-breaking Valletta.
The changes in Gdańsk and the entire Tri-City are impressive:
- the revitalisation of Granary Island – a historic area of Gdańsk that had been in ruins for years,
- the construction of the Olivia Centre complex and the creation of a total of approximately 1 million m² of modern office space in the last 15 years,
- approximately 100,000 modern jobs, mainly in the business services and ICT sectors,
- dynamic expansion of ports, logistics and transport infrastructure – both road and rail,
- development of tourism, symbolised, among other things, by the revitalisation of Granary Island.
The business district around Olivia Centre alone now comprises almost 400,000 m² of office space and around 40,000 jobs – one of the most significant business centres in Poland.
Wrocław, Kraków and Warsaw – the fastest growing cities in Europe
Wrocław took 3rd place in the overall EU ranking. Thanks to its strong academic base and intensive investment in the IT and business services sectors, it has become one of the most innovative centres in the region.
Kraków combines the dynamic development of the BPO and IT sectors with culture and tourism, creating a unique urban ecosystem.
As the capital city, Warsaw attracts both financial investment and talent from around the world, remaining a key political and business centre in the region.
Poland – the investment hub of the future
High growth dynamics, a stable legal environment within the European Union and a strategic geographical location make Poland one of the most attractive places to invest capital in Europe today.
Investing in Polish cities means access to:
- highly qualified staff,
- modern office and logistics infrastructure,
- a growing consumer market,
- predictable regulations within the EU.
Poland has grown to become a leader in urban economic growth in Europe. Its dominance in the Oxford Economics and Eurostat rankings is no coincidence, but the result of long-term economic transformation and bold investments in the future.
For foreign investors, this means one thing: Poland and its fastest-growing cities are currently among the most reliable and promising places to invest in Europe.
Data source:
Oxford Economics, Europe’s fastest-growing major cities
