Following the political transition, the Visegrad Group countries have become one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. Although Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary share a similar economic structure and inflationary trends, individual political and economic decisions set them apart. Poland is enjoying unprecedented success in terms of GDP growth, yet a low investment rate and declining funding for public services remain strategic challenges. Understanding this paradox is key to securing the country’s long-term competitiveness.

The aim of the project is to conduct an in-depth comparative analysis of long-term development trends in the Visegrad Group countries. The initiative seeks to identify Poland’s unique economic advantages and highlight the key structural challenges facing the country, enabling the design of effective strategies for the future.

To achieve this, the SpotData analytical team, with the support of experts from the Reform Institute, examined long-term macroeconomic and social data series for Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The research focused on four main thematic areas: economic growth dynamics, fiscal policy, monetary policy and financial market stability, and the state of public services. The methodology is based on rigorous comparative analysis, enabling the effects of national decisions to be distinguished from global trends common to the entire region.

The main outcome of the project is a comprehensive report entitled ‘Poland in the Regional Context’. The publication contains detailed data overviews and a set of strategic recommendations for Poland. These cover the need to develop a strategy for reviving private investment, a review of pro-family policy, the activation of older people in the labour market, and halting the erosion of spending on public services. The report has been made available in Polish to the public and decision-makers on the Friendly State Foundation’s website.