Selected determinants of social polarisation in rural areas in Poland

Agnieszka Wrzochalska

Abstract: In accordance with CSO data, about 39.4% of the Polish population, i.e. 15.5 million, lived in rural areas in 2014, which is almost 613 thousand more (i.e. about 4.2%) than in 2000. What is more, a significant increase in the rural population was observed mainly after Poland’s accession to EU. The phenomenon of convergence for the rural to the urban environment clearly outlined the process of aging of the population also increased significantly primarily educational level of rural women. The rural population has become more active socially, especially the elderly and those that possess a medium level of education. Villagers believe that over the past 10 years, their situation in rural areas improved significantly. This article attempts to assess the impact of government policy on the socio-economic situation of rural population and the level of social activity of the rural population. Research material includes results of the IAFENRI surveys, based on a sample of over 8 thousand rural families, of which in 2011 approx. 40% owned agricultural holdings with over 1 ha of agricultural land. Each time, all families residing in 76 selected villages were surveyed. The sampling was purposeful and took account of socio-economic features and the agrarian structure of agricultural holdings situated within the selected regions. The scope of the information collected was extensive and concerned numerous aspects of life of the rural population and the functioning of agricultural holdings.

Keywords: EU; Poland; rural areas; rural women; society

Date published: 2018-01-31