Poland

Poland has absorbed over 2 million Ukrainian refugees since 2022, making its population of 37.4 million—spread across 312,679 square kilometers—the most war-affected host in Europe. This influx has compensated for a native fertility rate of 1.3 children per woman, which is 0.3 lower than #6 Spain's, and prevented a sharper decline than Italy's 0.3% annual drop. Yet, Poland's GDP growth of 3.5% in 2023 was 1.2% higher than the EU average, showcasing its resilience despite persistent low birth rates.