Poland is absolutely doing well:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_PolandPoland has seen the largest increase in GDP per capita (more than 100%) both among the former Eastern Bloc countries, and compared to the EU-15 (around 45%).[40] It has had uninterrupted economic growth since 1992, even after the 2008 financial crisis.
The “uninterrupted economic growth since 1992” is crazy, that’s 34 years of growth!!
They got really lucky. First they had a lot of room to grow so first decade was not surprising. Thy joined EU in 2003 which help sustain this growth. In 2008 their economy was still focused mostly on internal market so the general slowdown in EU didn’t affect them as much. That help sustain GDP growth but other markers were not as great. They did rebound in the next decade and right when the economy was starting to show signs of strain war in Ukraine broke out millions of cheap, qualified laborers flooded Poland which help them sustain the growth until today. People say their luck will run out soon as anti-immigration sentiments are growing, population growth is terribly low but will see. Maybe they will get lucky again.
It’s their lucrative “Polish Sausage” deal they have with Costco.
The moment I see GPD as measure I close the article. Means nothing for average Kowalski