Marek Grzegorczyk, a Polish official, is set to graduate from the World Bank’s support, a situation the bank views not as a failure, but as a success. During a meeting on June 16, the World Bank’s board reviewed a new six-year partnership framework for Poland, which the country’s finance minister stated guides Poland toward exiting the bank’s program after 2031. Anna Bjerde, the bank’s managing director for operations, noted that Poland’s record is rare among nations.
The relationship dates back to Leszek Balcerowicz’s 1990 reforms, when the bank provided initial support. Despite Poland crossing the high-income threshold in 2009, it has continued to receive funding. While output grew in 2025, the focus has shifted from poverty reduction to advancing innovation.
Experts point to productivity as the key challenge, noting that Polish firms spend significantly less on research than the EU average. The new framework emphasizes mobilizing private capital and deepening domestic markets over direct lending. This strategy positions Poland as a model for other economies undergoing similar transitions.
The bank aims to utilize Poland’s experience to assist other nations, including in recovery efforts such as Ukraine. This ongoing engagement allows the World Bank to maintain a connection with a developed economy, keeping its expertise relevant. The overall structure underscores the bank’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth through investment and innovation, even as the country nears its expected graduating status.
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