The Ageing of the Population in Small Towns and Villages in Poland as a Challenge for Local Public Policy

The ageing of the Polish population, as a demographic and socio-economic phenomenon, is considered one of the most important challenges facing contemporary public policy, especially in the context of changes in the age structure of the population and the functioning of local communities. Poland has one of the highest population ageing rates in Europe. In 2024, there were 9.9 million people over the age of 60 in Poland, accounting for 26.6% of the country's population (Information on the situation of older people in Poland for 2024, 5). In turn, those who turned 65 in 2025 accounted for 20.8% of the population, numbering almost 7.8 million (GUS 2025a). Using the economic age criterion, a relatively high share of the post-working age subpopulation can be seen - at the end of 2024, they (women over 60 and men over 65) accounted for 23.8% of the population (their number was 8.9 million). Ageing particularly affects small towns (with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants) and rural areas, where demographic processes are progressing much faster than in large urban centres, resulting in a marked increase in the number of people of post-working age and widespread depopulation of these areas. Small towns (with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants) account for approximately 75% of all towns in Poland and are home to around 21% of the urban population. In demographic terms, small towns vary greatly in terms of population size - most have fewer than 5,600 inhabitants, and around 25% have fewer than 3,100 inhabitants. The demographic structure shows typical trends of depopulation and ageing, which are more pronounced in towns located far from large agglomerations. There are many reasons behind this process, but the most important ones include an increase in average life expectancy and, above all, low fertility rates. As a result, the country's population is gradually shrinking in terms of numbers. Demographic trends and forecasts indicate that the ageing of the population will intensify in the future and depopulation will accelerate. In the context of these changes, it is crucial to understand how ageing of society influences the local public policies. The paper focuses on presenting preliminary results of research on the impact of population ageing on the public policies at the local level. Attention will be paid both to initiatives aimed at active and inclusive ageing in small towns and villages in Poland, as well as to the role of the senior community in shaping public policies for elderly people at the local level.