Changes in the Standard of Living in Rural Population of Poland in the Period of the Eu Membership

Abstract Polish rural areas face various social, economic and ecological problems. These processes greatly affect diversification of the standard of living in rural areas. The goal of the study was to assess spatial diversification of the standard of living in rural areas in Poland. It focused on all rural gminas as well as rural parts of rural-urban gminas. In the analysis, the standard of living was evaluated with Perkal’s synthetic index, with 12 variables concerning demographic and economic issues. The time span for the analysis was the period of 2003-2013. The highest standard of living was reported for rural areas located in the vicinity of urban agglomerations. The lowest standards of living were in typical rural gminas with poorly developed service functions. These were mainly depopulated areas from the outskirts of voivodeships. The Vistula River marked the dividing line in the standards of living in rural areas of Poland.

Download Full-text

The Impact of RDP Measures on the Diversification of Agriculture and Rural Development—Seeking Additional Livelihoods: The Case of Poland

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11030253 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 253

Author(s):

Mirosław Biczkowski ◽

Aleksandra Jezierska-Thöle ◽

Roman Rudnicki

Keyword(s):

Rural Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Development Program ◽

Spatial Diversity ◽

Agricultural Activities ◽

Synthetic Index ◽

Two Measures ◽

The Impact ◽

The Eu

The paper’s main aim is to assess the measures implemented within the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2007–2013 in Poland. This programme is dedicated to the diversification of business activities in rural areas and rural livelihood and, thus, the improvement of the multifunctionality of rural areas. The analysis covered two measures from Axis 3, Improvement of the quality of life in rural areas and diversification of rural economy: M311, diversification into non-agricultural activities; and M312, Establishment and development of micro-enterprise. The study and the discussion are presented from a geographical perspective and, in a broader context, take into account several conditions (natural, urban, agricultural and historical) and the spatial diversity of the allocation of European Union (EU) funds. Models of a policy of multifunctional rural development, implemented after accession to the EU, are presented. The research’s spatial scope covers Poland’s territory on two spatial scales: the system of regions (16 NUTS2 units) and poviats (314 LAU level 1 units). The analysis covers all the projects implemented in Poland under the two measures of Axis 3 of the RDP 2007–2013. A set of conditions was prepared for all LAU1 units, forming the background for assessing the impact of the EU funds on the development of non-agricultural activities. To determine the relationship between the RDP measures and the selected groups of conditions, a synthetic index and a correlation index are used. They are also used to determine the mutual relations between the two analyzed activities in terms of the spatial scales used. Access to the EU funds (RDP) has considerably enlarged the opportunities for accelerating agricultural modernisation and restructuration towards multifunctional development, as well as the opportunities for implementing new development and work methods in the countryside in Poland. The attractiveness of the two studied RDP measures varied across regions. The beneficiaries’ activity depended on the local potential (resources), culture and tradition of the region, and size and potential of the farm. In the areas where agriculture is deeply rooted, beneficiaries were more willing to engage in ventures tapping into the resources available in their farms. Thus, they create additional livelihood of income and workplaces for household members. In turn, the beneficiaries from the areas where farms are smaller and economically weaker often undertake activities related to setting up a new business (outside farming).

Download Full-text

DIVERSIFICATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS IN POLAND

Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.7908 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol XXII (1) ◽

pp. 300-311

Author(s):

Paweł Siemiński ◽

Jakub Hadyński ◽

Walenty Poczta

Keyword(s):

Human Capital ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Data Bank ◽

Local Data ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Synthetic Index ◽

Spatial Diversification ◽

High Level

The aim of this paper is to estimate, as well as analyse and assess spatial diversification in human capital resources in rural and urban areas of Poland. Studies have static nature and relate to the state of the situation in 2018 year. A synthetic index of human capital resources (IHCR) was applied, based on which a hierarchy was developed for rural and urban areas, depending on the administrative division into provinces determining the degree of their diversification in terms of their human capital resources. Human capital resources were analysed in four categories, i.e. in terms of employment, education, entrepreneurship and unemployment, using data from the Local Data Bank CSO database. Research results indicate considerable regional (spatial) diversification of rural and urban areas. We may distinguish two homogeneous classes, including urban areas with a high level of human capital development, as well as rural areas with their low level. Moreover, there is a heterogeneous group of the so-called medium level of human capital, composed of both urban and rural areas. Particularly, observed polarization in human capital resources may in the future reduce the absorption of development impulses within both national and EU development policies.

Download Full-text

Spatial Differentiation of the Socio-Economic Development of Poland–“Invisible” Historical Heritage

Land ◽

10.3390/land10111247 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1247

Author(s):

Paweł Churski ◽

Tomasz Herodowicz ◽

Barbara Konecka-Szydłowska ◽

Robert Perdał

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Local Level ◽

Spatial Differentiation ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Synthetic Index ◽

Socio Economic Development ◽

Research Procedure ◽

Spatial Diversification ◽

Historical Heritage

The analysis aims to identify spatial variations of socio-economic development in Poland at the local level and to determine their correlation with conditions resulting from the historical political divisions of today’s areas of the country. The research procedure helps to verify the hypothesis that spatial differentiation of socio-economic development in Poland is permanent and does not show significant changes during periods of economic growth and crisis. We can emphasize at the same time the persisting differences between cities and their functional areas on the one hand and rural areas on the other. The study applied an innovative procedure of determining the synthetic index. The procedure of classifying local units presented in the text was based on the original random forest method. The outcomes confirm that contemporary spatial diversification at the level of socio-economic development in Poland is still strongly conditioned by history, especially by the socio-economic consequences of the partition of Poland between the three superpowers (Russia, Prussia and Austria). This is evident in the synthetic presentation of the level of socio-economic development. However, in the case of certain socio-economic phenomena, the values of indicators describing them no longer directly relate in their diversity to historical borders, particularly the former partition borders.

Download Full-text

Development of the standard of quality of life in rural areas in the system of institutional building of the internal environment of the regional economy

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202128501009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 285 ◽

pp. 01009

Author(s):

Elena Ostapenko

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Standard Of Living ◽

Normative Values ◽

Internal Environment ◽

Rural Residents ◽

Social Standards ◽

Standards Of Living

Quality of life in rural areas as the main goal of rural development and regulation of this process by the state is the compliance of the standard of living of rural residents with state social standards in the sphere of material, social and cultural benefits provided to the population. In this regard, the standard of living in rural areas can be viewed through the prism of compliance with statistically measurable indicators reflecting the fulfillment of standards of living of rural residents. As a result of the analysis of existing approaches, the concept of sustainable development, which aims to improve the quality of life of the population, was chosen as the basic concept. To achieve the goal defined in the Concept of Sustainable Development, it is necessary to develop a Standard of Quality of Life, which would enshrine a set of necessary services for each rural resident, regardless of income, social status, health and age. The standard provides the functioning of the system of rules, creates a model of the quality of life in rural areas. The standard of the quality of life in rural areas should be considered as a system of minimum normative values, on the basis of which it is possible to make comparisons with other objects. The article proposes a methodology for the formation of a variable standard of quality of life in rural areas.

Download Full-text

Polarization of Living Standards among Administrative Units Engaged in Cross-Border Cooperation—The Example of Polish Municipalities of Euroregion Baltic

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su14020680 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 680

Author(s):

Marcin Janusz

Keyword(s):

Standard Of Living ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Cross Border ◽

Standards Of Living ◽

Synthetic Index ◽

15Th Anniversary ◽

Endogenous Potential ◽

Administrative Units ◽

Index Value ◽

Cross Border Cooperation

The present work examines the standard of living among the Polish municipalities of the Euroregion Baltic—an institution engaged in cross-border cooperation which is striving to improve the standard of living in border areas. The time span of the study extended to the first full year after Poland’s EU accession (2004), and to the 15th anniversary of the accession and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Euroregion Baltic (2019 in both cases). All 38 Polish municipalities (NUTS 5) of the Euroregion were covered by the study. Using a synthetic index of standard of living based on Hellwig’s development pattern method, the municipalities were grouped into four classes according to their index value. Hierarchical methods were used to identify which municipalities had the most similar standards of living. The highest standard of living was recorded for the small, tourism-oriented town of Jastarnia and for strong urban centers (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Olsztyn, and Elbląg). Rural municipalities, especially those situated near the Polish-Russian border (Kaliningrad Oblast), had lower standards of living. The results show a progressing polarization in the standard of living, manifested by a widening gap between first-class municipalities and the other classes. This stratification was attributed to multiple factors, including the endogenous potential of the communities.

Download Full-text

CAP Legislation and SPA

Manuali – Scienze Tecnologiche - SPARKLE - Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Precision Agriculture ◽

10.36253/978-88-5518-044-3.33 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 33

Author(s):

Efstratios Loizou ◽

Anastasios Michailidis ◽

Stefanos Nastis ◽

Dimitra Lazaridou ◽

Aikaterini Paltaki

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Standard Of Living ◽

Sustainable Farming ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The Eu

Agriculture, a sector with singularities, since long attracted the attention of policy makers for the need of support. In the framework of the EU lead to the formation of the CAP in 1962, aiming to meet various challenges related to the productivity of the agricultural sector, the standard of living of farmers, the stabilization of the markets and the availability of food supplies with reasonable prices. CAP went through many reforms with the initial objectives to be adjusted accordingly. The CAP reform of 2013 for 2014-20, introduced measures for both Pillars I and II, to reinforce the competitiveness of agriculture, to promote sustainable farming and innovation (PA) and support development and employment in rural areas. PA is much more present in the discussions for CAP after 2020.

Download Full-text

THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF HOUSEHOLDS IN POLAND COMPARED TO OTHER EU MEMBER STATES

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v5i2.5079 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 634-638

Author(s):

Joanna Szwacka Mokrzycka

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Economic Condition ◽

Standard Of Living ◽

Consumption Expenditure ◽

Member States ◽

Eu Member States ◽

Financial Condition ◽

Starting Point ◽

Structure Of Consumption ◽

The Eu

The objective of this article is to present the standard of living of households in Poland in comparison with other EU member states. The starting point for analysis was the economic condition of Poland against the background of other EU member states. The next step consisted of assessment of the standard of living of inhabitants of individual EU member states on the basis of financial condition of households and the structure of consumption expenditure. It was found that the differences within the EU in terms of economic development and the standard of living of households still remain substantial.

Download Full-text

Building Bio-Districts or Eco-Regions: Participative Processes Supported by Focal Groups

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11060511 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 511

Author(s):

Raquel S. Dias ◽

Daniela V.T.A. Costa ◽

Helena E. Correia ◽

Cristina A. Costa

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Organic Farming ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Food System ◽

Social Economic ◽

Agricultural Activities ◽

Family Farmers ◽

Governance Model ◽

Environmental Component

Over the years, rural areas have faced a number of problems and difficulties, such as an increase in the average age of the population, desertification, loss of employment and the abandonment of rural and agricultural activities, which have led to the emergence of new initiatives aimed at revitalizing these territories from a social, economic and environmental perspective, such as the successful Bio-districts or Eco-regions (e.g., Bio-district of Cilento). Understanding and establishing a proper framework for each territory based on agroecology and participatory methodologies is still a challenge. In this sense, based on the analysis of two European examples—Cilento, Italy and São Pedro do Sul, Portugal—we described each of the building processes and defined a set of drivers that might constitute guiding principles to serve as a basis for the creation of Bio-districts or Eco-regions. The drivers’ matrix identified was discussed in three focus groups carried out in Portugal in 2020. Such drivers included a technical and environmental component (the quality of the environment and landscape, the food system and the implementation of organic farming and agroecological practices), a social and economic component (valorization of the farmers, products and territories and a set of different stakeholders—farmers, consumers, schools, tourism entities and restaurants, local authorities) and a political component (the governance model). Most participants agreed that the recognition of a Bio-district or Eco-region should be informal, bottom-up, with farmers as the main pillar, with a fair and representative participation, namely family farmers.

Download Full-text