What are the most important aspects of life? In 2018, the CBOS Foundation asked the Poles, like 10, 20 and 30 years ago, to identify their most absorbing daily activities.

In the previous 30 years, changes in Polish societies can be observed based on numerous research initiatives undertaken by the Polish Center for Public Opinion Research (CBOS). Two fresh reports have recently been published on how Poles see daily activities. Poles feel they spend most of their time (70 percent of responses) on family, as indicated in surveys (61 percent ). In contrast, almost three-quarters of respondents, when questioned about their personal daily activities, said that they primarily focus on family life. Work was taken second (53%), followed by healthcare and treatment in the chart (28 percent ).

Then and now

Poles are now far less interested in money earning (39 percent in 1988 and 15 percent in 2018) or in seeking work overseas (from 9 to only 1 percent) and religious life in comparison with similar surveys done in earlier decades, and less involved in religious life than 30 years ago (17 percent in 1988, 10 percent last year). At the same time, Poles emphasize more than previously the role of the family in their life and appear increasingly engaged in activities of free time like travel and sport. Over the previous 20 years, there has also been a minor growth in cultural participation. It certainly appears evident that with the improvement of living standards, an increasing number of people strive to ensure that their lifestyle is less work-oriented and more balanced.

No place like home

In the survey Aspiracje Polaków w latach 1998, 2008 and 2018 ('Polish aspiration in 1998, 2008, 2018'), Polish residents' plans and goals for the next 5 and 10 years have reinforced the importance of the families in Poland. Personal and family issues (for example, 'living a long and healthy life,' 'having a good family life,' 'building a family') dominated work ambitions or financial objectives ("taking up a job", "getting better pay" or "starting own business"). Although there have always been significant personal goals in three areas in the survey, they have been considerably more prominent over the last few years - family-specific issues got 64% of votes in 2018, compared with 53% in 1998. At the same time, the value of professional demands fell from 34% in 1998 to 25% last year. Interestingly enough, in 2018, Polish citizens similarly reported far less interest in intangible things or property than two decades earlier - yet only 2% of respondents (8% in 1998) wanted to buy a car; 6% of them intended to own their house (13 percent in 1998).