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The education system in Poland has undergone many changes in curriculum, management, administration, and structure since the system's transformation in 1989. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Ministry of Education and Science introduced e-learning. As a result, schools in Poland had to transfer learning from school to home several times to curb the increase in infections between 2020 and 2021. Public expenditure on education and upbringing amounted to 106.3 billion zloty in 2022, which accounted for 4.3 percent of the Polish gross domestic product.
General education
The education system in Poland has experienced many changes in recent years. The most significant amendments took place in 1999 and 2017. The first led to the transformation of the two-tier education into a three-tier structure, shortening the period of primary schooling from eight to six years. In addition, compulsory three-year lower secondary schools were established. In 2017, another reform was launched, which restored eight-year primary schools, abolished lower secondary schools, and extended the duration of education in secondary schools and technical schools to four and five years. In addition, the vocational school was transformed into a three-year first-stage sectoral vocational school.
The Polish educational system consists of preschool education (three to six years), primary education (seven to 15 years), and secondary and post-secondary schools for children and adults (15 to 20 years).Every primary school pupil must take the eighth-grade exam, which is necessary to graduate from school, but there is no minimum pass rate. In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) global survey, Polish students scored above the average for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in all areas tested, ranking among the world's best. Most students take the Matura exam in their final year of secondary school. In 2023, 84.4 percent of secondary school graduates passed this exam. Some schools also allow students to take the International Baccalaureate exam.
Higher education
Higher schools are not part of the educational structure in Poland. Academic and vocational universities conduct bachelor's and master's degree studies, but only academic universities can grant a doctoral degree. In Poland, universities can be established as public and non-public. A bachelor's degree can be obtained after three or four years, whereas an engineer's degree after 3.5 to four years. The bachelor's degree entitles one to undertake second-cycle studies, which last two to five years, depending on the field of study. Unified master's studies realized in some majors last from four to six years, whereas doctoral studies last three or four years. People with higher education can also enroll in postgraduate studies.
In the 2022/23 academic year, 1.22 million students studied at universities, 0.44 percent more than the previous year. The most popular majors were business and administration, health, and engineering.The number of university graduates from the 2021/22 academic year amounted to 292.6 thousand, 1.3 percent more than the previous year.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Adriana Sas Research expert covering the Polish market 
Key insights
- Government expenditure on education in Poland in 2022
- 106.3bn PLN
Detailed statistics
Government expenditure on education in Poland 2014-2022
- Consumer expenditure on education in Poland in 2022
- 13bn PLN
Detailed statistics
Consumer spending on education in Poland 2010-2022
- Primary school net enrolment rate in Poland in 2022/23
- 94.9%
Detailed statistics
Net enrollment rates in Poland 2022/2023 school year
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Overview
10
- Basic Statistic Public expenditure on education in relation to GDP in Poland 2000-2022
- Basic Statistic Public expenditure on higher education in relation to GDP in Poland 2005-2022
- Premium Statistic Subvention amount for education in Poland 2007-2024
- Premium Statistic Net enrollment rates in Poland 2022/2023 school year
- Basic Statistic Number of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by type
- Basic Statistic Number of pupils in schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by school
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students in Poland 2000-2023, by age
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2022, by school
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students learning foreign languages in Poland 2023, by language
- Basic Statistic PISA results in Poland 2006-2022, by category
Overview
- Basic Statistic Public expenditure on education in relation to GDP in Poland 2000-2022
Public expenditure on education in relation to GDP in Poland 2000-2022
Public expenditure on education in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) in Poland from 2000 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Public expenditure on higher education in relation to GDP in Poland 2005-2022
Public expenditure on higher education in relation to GDP in Poland 2005-2022
Public expenditure on higher education in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) in Poland from 2005 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Subvention amount for education in Poland 2007-2024
Subvention amount for education in Poland 2007-2024
Value of education subsidy in Poland from 2007 to 2024 (in billion zloty)
- Premium Statistic Net enrollment rates in Poland 2022/2023 school year
Net enrollment rates in Poland 2022/2023 school year
Net enrollment rates in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year
- Basic Statistic Number of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by type
Number of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by type
Number of schools for children and youth in Poland between 1990 and 2023, by type of school
- Basic Statistic Number of pupils in schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by school
Number of pupils in schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023, by school
Number of pupils in schools for children and youth in Poland between 1990 and 2023, by type of school (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students in Poland 2000-2023, by age
Number of pupils and students in Poland 2000-2023, by age
Number of pupils and students in Poland between 2000 and 2023, by age
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2022, by school
Number of graduates of schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2022, by school
Number of graduates of schools for children and youth in Poland from 1990 to 2022, by type of school (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students learning foreign languages in Poland 2023, by language
Number of pupils and students learning foreign languages in Poland 2023, by language
Number of pupils and students learning foreign languages in Poland in 2023, by language (in 1,000s)
- Basic Statistic PISA results in Poland 2006-2022, by category
PISA results in Poland 2006-2022, by category
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results in Poland from 2006 to 2022, by category
Pre-primary & primary education
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- Premium Statistic Number of nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pre-primary education units and pre-primary centers in Poland 2010-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in the pre-primary education units and centers in Poland 2010-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Basic Statistic Average scores for primary school-leaving exam in Poland 2021-2024, by subject
Pre-primary & primary education
- Premium Statistic Number of nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of nursery schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pre-primary education units and pre-primary centers in Poland 2010-2023
Number of pre-primary education units and pre-primary centers in Poland 2010-2023
Number of pre-primary education units and pre-primary centers in Poland from 2010 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of children in nursery schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of children in nursery schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of children in pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of children in pre-primary sections in primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of children in the pre-primary education units and centers in Poland 2010-2023
Number of children in the pre-primary education units and centers in Poland 2010-2023
Number of children pre-primary education units and pre-primary centers in Poland from 2010 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of pupils and students in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of pupils and students in primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of pupils and students in primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023 (in 1,000s)
- Basic Statistic Average scores for primary school-leaving exam in Poland 2021-2024, by subject
Average scores for primary school-leaving exam in Poland 2021-2024, by subject
Average scores for the primary school-leaving exams (the eighth-grade exam) in Poland from 2021 to 2024, by subject
Secondary education
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- Premium Statistic Number of general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Secondary school maturity exam pass rate in Poland 2005-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of persons who took and passed the high-school final exam in Poland 2010-2023
- Premium Statistic Average high school final exam scores in compulsory subjects in Poland 2021-2024
Secondary education
- Premium Statistic Number of general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of general secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in general secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023 (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
Number of vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
Number of vocational schools for children and youth in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in vocational schools for children and youth in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in vocational schools for children and youth in Poland from 1990 to 2023 (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Secondary school maturity exam pass rate in Poland 2005-2022
Secondary school maturity exam pass rate in Poland 2005-2022
Secondary school final exams (Matura) pass rate in Poland from 2005 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of persons who took and passed the high-school final exam in Poland 2010-2023
Number of persons who took and passed the high-school final exam in Poland 2010-2023
Number of persons who took and passed the secondary school-leaving examination (Matura) in Poland from 2010 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Average high school final exam scores in compulsory subjects in Poland 2021-2024
Average high school final exam scores in compulsory subjects in Poland 2021-2024
Average high school final exam (Matura) scores in compulsory subjects in Poland from 2021 to 2024
Post-secondary education
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- Premium Statistic Number of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 2019-2022, by narrow fields
Post-secondary education
- Premium Statistic Number of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of post-secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in post-secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2022
Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 1990-2022
Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 2019-2022, by narrow fields
Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland 2019-2022, by narrow fields
Number of graduates of post-secondary schools in Poland from 2019 to 2022, by narrow fields of education
Tertiary education
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- Premium Statistic Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2010-2024
- Premium Statistic Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2020-2022, by field
- Premium Statistic Number of university graduates in Poland 2010-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of university graduates in Poland 2022, by field
- Basic Statistic Ranking of the best public universities in Poland 2021-2023
- Basic Statistic Most popular universities per one place in Poland 2022-2023
- Premium Statistic Most popular fields of study in Poland 2023, by applications per one place
- Basic Statistic Popular non-public universities in Poland 2022-2023, by applications
- Basic Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2014-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2021-2022, by country
- Premium Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2020-2022, by major
- Premium Statistic Number of ERASMUS students in Poland 2017-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of academic degrees awarded in Poland 2022, by field
Tertiary education
- Premium Statistic Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2010-2024
Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2010-2024
Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland from 2010 to 2024
- Premium Statistic Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2020-2022, by field
Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland 2020-2022, by field
Number of students in higher education institutions in Poland from 2020 to 2022, by broad fields of education
- Premium Statistic Number of university graduates in Poland 2010-2023
Number of university graduates in Poland 2010-2023
Number of university graduates in Poland from 2010 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of university graduates in Poland 2022, by field
Number of university graduates in Poland 2022, by field
Number of university graduates in Poland in 2022, by broad fields of education
- Basic Statistic Ranking of the best public universities in Poland 2021-2023
Ranking of the best public universities in Poland 2021-2023
Ranking of the best public universities in Poland from 2021 to 2023
- Basic Statistic Most popular universities per one place in Poland 2022-2023
Most popular universities per one place in Poland 2022-2023
Universities most frequently chosen by candidates per one place for full-time first degree and master's degree programs in Poland from 2022 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Most popular fields of study in Poland 2023, by applications per one place
Most popular fields of study in Poland 2023, by applications per one place
Most popular fields of study in full-time first degree and master's degree programs in Poland in 2023, by the number of applications from candidates per one place
- Basic Statistic Popular non-public universities in Poland 2022-2023, by applications
Popular non-public universities in Poland 2022-2023, by applications
Non-public universities most frequently chosen by candidates in Poland from 2022 to 2023, by total number of applications for first-degree full-time studies and full-time master's studies
- Basic Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2014-2022
Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2014-2022
Number of foreigners studying in Poland from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2021-2022, by country
Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2021-2022, by country
Number of foreigners studying in Poland from 2021 to 2022, by country of origin
- Premium Statistic Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2020-2022, by major
Number of studying foreigners in Poland 2020-2022, by major
Number of foreigners studying in Poland from 2020 to 2022, by broad field of education
- Premium Statistic Number of ERASMUS students in Poland 2017-2022
Number of ERASMUS students in Poland 2017-2022
Number of ERASMUS students in Poland from 2017 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of academic degrees awarded in Poland 2022, by field
Number of academic degrees awarded in Poland 2022, by field
Number of academic degrees awarded in Poland in 2022, by broad fields of education
Special education
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- Premium Statistic Number of special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Special education
- Premium Statistic Number of special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special primary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special primary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special general secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special general secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special general secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special stage I and II sectoral vocational schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special vocational schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special stage I sectoral vocational schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of special technical secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Number of students in special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special technical secondary schools in Poland 1990-2023
Number of students in special technical secondary schools in Poland from 1990 to 2023
E-learning
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- Premium Statistic Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022, by age
- Premium Statistic Use of the internet for educational purposes in Poland 2022-2023, by type
- Premium Statistic Forms of remote lessons in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Comparison of remote and onsite learning time in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Time spent on preparing for online lessons compared in-class lessons in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Preferred mode of learning in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Reasons for online learning in Poland 2022
E-learning
- Premium Statistic Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022
Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022
Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022, by age
Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland 2022, by age
Share of children who declared remote learning in Poland in 2022, by age
- Premium Statistic Use of the internet for educational purposes in Poland 2022-2023, by type
Use of the internet for educational purposes in Poland 2022-2023, by type
Share of respondents using the internet for educational purposes in Poland from 2022 to 2023, by type
- Premium Statistic Forms of remote lessons in Poland 2022
Forms of remote lessons in Poland 2022
Forms of conducting lessons remotely in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Comparison of remote and onsite learning time in Poland 2022
Comparison of remote and onsite learning time in Poland 2022
Time spent on remote and onsite learning in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Time spent on preparing for online lessons compared in-class lessons in Poland 2022
Time spent on preparing for online lessons compared in-class lessons in Poland 2022
Time spent doing homework and preparing for online lessons compared to in-class lessons in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Preferred mode of learning in Poland 2022
Preferred mode of learning in Poland 2022
Preferred mode of learning in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Reasons for online learning in Poland 2022
Reasons for online learning in Poland 2022
Reasons for doing online learning activities in Poland in 2022, by type
Teaching personnel
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- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in Poland 2008-2023
- Premium Statistic Academic teachers and non-teaching employees in Poland 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in pre-primary establishments in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in primary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in post-secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in Poland 2020-2023, by school type
- Premium Statistic Share of teachers in Poland 2022/2023, by career degree and area
- Premium Statistic Average gross monthly salary of teachers in Poland 2022-2024
- Premium Statistic Minimum gross monthly salary of academic teachers in Poland 2022-2024
Teaching personnel
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in Poland 2008-2023
Number of teachers in Poland 2008-2023
Number of teachers in Poland from 2008 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Academic teachers and non-teaching employees in Poland 2022
Academic teachers and non-teaching employees in Poland 2022
Number of academic teachers and non-teaching employees in Poland in 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in pre-primary establishments in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in pre-primary establishments in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in pre-primary establishments in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year, by type of school
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in primary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in primary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in primary schools in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year, by type of school
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in secondary schools in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year, by type of school
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in post-secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in post-secondary schools in Poland 2022/2023, by school type
Number of teachers in post-secondary schools in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year, by type of school
- Premium Statistic Number of teachers in Poland 2020-2023, by school type
Number of teachers in Poland 2020-2023, by school type
Full-time and part-time teachers (full-time equivalents) in Poland between the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 school year, by type of school
- Premium Statistic Share of teachers in Poland 2022/2023, by career degree and area
Share of teachers in Poland 2022/2023, by career degree and area
Full-time and part-time teachers (full-time equivalents) in urban and rural areas in Poland in the 2022/2023 school year, by career advancement degree
- Premium Statistic Average gross monthly salary of teachers in Poland 2022-2024
Average gross monthly salary of teachers in Poland 2022-2024
Average gross monthly salary of teachers in Poland from 2022 to 2024 (in zloty)
- Premium Statistic Minimum gross monthly salary of academic teachers in Poland 2022-2024
Minimum gross monthly salary of academic teachers in Poland 2022-2024
Minimum gross monthly basic salary of academic teachers in Poland from 2022 to 2024 (in zloty)
Household spending on education
6
- Premium Statistic Average declared expenses for the new school year in Poland 2014-2024
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on education in Poland 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on pre-primary and primary education in Poland 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on secondary education in Poland 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on post-secondary, non-tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
Household spending on education
- Premium Statistic Average declared expenses for the new school year in Poland 2014-2024
Average declared expenses for the new school year in Poland 2014-2024
Average declared expenses for the new academic year in Poland from 2014/2015 to 2023/2024 (in zloty)
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on education in Poland 2010-2022
Consumer spending on education in Poland 2010-2022
Household consumption expenditure on education in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on pre-primary and primary education in Poland 2010-2022
Consumer spending on pre-primary and primary education in Poland 2010-2022
Household consumption expenditure on pre-primary and primary education in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on secondary education in Poland 2010-2022
Consumer spending on secondary education in Poland 2010-2022
Household consumption expenditure on secondary education in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on post-secondary, non-tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
Consumer spending on post-secondary, non-tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
Household consumption expenditure on post-secondary and non-tertiary education in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)
- Premium Statistic Consumer spending on tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
Consumer spending on tertiary education in Poland 2010-2022
Household consumption expenditure on tertiary education in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)
