Poland achieves an average score of 105 points in the Resilience Index, the highest of all countries studied. This is not a marginal difference — Poles also show the highest share of truly highly resilient individuals (6.2% above the 146-point threshold). At first glance one might expect such a society to also be satisfied and stable. The data shows the opposite.
Poles have the lowest life satisfaction of the countries studied (5.8 out of 10). Their material security is also weaker than, for example, in the Czech Republic. Their resilience therefore does not stem from comfort, but rather from adaptation to uncertainty.
Physical activity and health
Surprisingly, physical activity is not the main source of Polish resilience. As many as 37% of the population does not exercise at all, the highest of all countries studied. Yet Poland has the highest share of people without diagnosed illnesses (63%).
Adaptability as a key strength
Poland excels in adaptability, owing to the highest willingness to move abroad and the highest share of people who enjoy trying new things. They also have high language skills. This points to a society that is mentally prepared for change, not resistant to it.
An interesting paradox is that Poles are not only resilient but also less anxious than others. Only 19% of them describe the world through fear, significantly less than in other countries studied. Conversely, they most frequently of all report curiosity (38%). Resilience here manifests not as a reaction to fear, but rather as the ability to function in an uncertain environment without significant anxiety.
Freedom over equality
While in most countries the preference for freedom and equality is balanced, in Poland freedom wins (62%). This emphasis on autonomy may be one of the key sources of resilience — people rely more on themselves than on the system.
Despite high resilience, trust in institutions in Poland is low: the government, parliament and media are among the least trusted. Notably low trust in employers also stands out. This suggests a model of society where resilience arises despite institutions, not because of them.
Strong society, not strong state
Poland shows that resilience need not be the result of prosperity or trust in the state. It can grow from historical experience, a cultural emphasis on freedom and the capacity for adaptation.
Poland thus represents not a model of a "strong state", but rather a model of a "strong society". Resilience here does not come from institutions, but from individuals, their attitudes and capacity for adaptation.
Methodology
The research is based on a combination of quantitative surveys conducted in five European countries. In the Czech Republic, data collection was carried out by SC&C agency on a representative sample of 1,235 respondents aged 16–75 using CAWI and CAPI methods. In Slovakia, Germany and Sweden, data was collected via an online panel (TALK ONLINE PANEL), each with a sample of 1,000 respondents.
In Poland, data was collected differently via an open online questionnaire (CAWI) on a sample of 991 respondents over a longer period and not through a panel agency. This methodological difference is important to consider when interpreting results.
Data collection CZ: SC&C spol. s r.o. · N = 1,235 respondents aged 16–75 · 23 May – 29 May 2025 · CAWI = 620, CAPI = 615
Data collection SK / DE / SWE: TALK ONLINE PANEL · N = 1,000 respondents aged 16–75 · 31 Jul – 20 Aug 2025 · CAWI
Data collection PL: online questionnaire · N = 991 respondents · 20 Oct 2025 – 24 Mar 2026 · CAWI