Political changes and the young educated Polish population are bringing about a dramatic turnaround in the outlook for the country`, writes Ania Majewska
MANY POLES working abroad have saved enough money to go home. Some have gone back to buy a property or to start their own business. It is now less profitable to work abroad and the Polish economy is improving year by year.
Four years ago in Poland there was no work, no money and employees were losing their jobs rather than getting new positions. The economy was poor, the unemployment rate was 19 per cent - the highest in the European Union.
The average salary was around €250 to €300 a month. It was difficult to live and people sitting on buses and walking the streets were gloomy and sad. The whole Polish society was subdued.
Shop displays were full of fancy and colourful clothes, but not everyone could afford to buy them, at least not too often. My mother's company declared bankruptcy, like most of the small private companies.
I was studying by day and working by night to support my family. I had to save money for two months to buy a pair of original jeans. I didn't have enough money to pay my college fees so in 2004 I decided to go to Ireland to improve my English and save money.
Poland joined the EU in 2004 and finally there was hope for the Polish economy. It is estimated that since this time around two million Poles migrated to work abroad. Most of them are living in the UK, Ireland, and the USA and a high percentage are working illegally.
No one was happy about leaving their homeland. Husbands left their wives and children, young people their families. In most cases it was all about the money, but no one wanted it this way.
But now, after three to four years, it looks like this is the end of the exodus. Not as many Polish people are emigrating to work any more. They have actually started slowly to come back.
Why? Although wages are higher in other countries, the cost of living is also extremely high compared to Poland.
But the wage level in Poland is increasing and the unemployment rate has dropped to 12 per cent. It is estimated that within two years it will go down to 6-7 per cent.
Poles living abroad are sending money home, which is improving the balance of payments, making the polish currency, the zloty, stronger against the euro, the pound and the dollar.
A lot of western investors have started locating in Poland because of its market size. There are 38 millions people living in the country, it has the largest working population in central Europe. Also Polish people are highly educated, highly skilled and young. It has one of the youngest populations on the continent: 50 per cent of Poles are under 34 years of age and 35 per cent are under 25.
Due to the economy getting better the quality of life has also increased. People seem to be more cheerful and happy. In Warsaw for instance there are many new, modern skyscrapers. There are also many newly-opened shops such as can be found in Ireland.
The lifestyle and fashion are changing, they are more western. Last year boots were not really common, now every second girl on the streets wears them. There are sales in the shops, which are quite a new thing. There are plenty of small red boards in the shop's displays saying in English "Sale".
Our new prime minister Donald Tusk promised a few months ago that he would make an economical miracle in Poland. Many Poles believe him. They have no other choice.
But it is not about making election promises, it is about making economic success.
It is better now in Poland but it will takes another few years to be good.
Ania Majewska came to Ireland in 2004 and found employment as a shop assistant, rising to cash office manager and subsequently worked for an accountancy firm and then a bank. Her main aim as a migrant worker has been to improve her English