Algolytics Technologies and SW Research Agency compared quality of life in 2479 municipalities in Poland and compiled two separate rankings: an expert ranking and a residents’ preference ranking.
Expert ranking topped by Mińsk‑Mazowiecki
In the expert ranking, first place went to Mińsk‑Mazowiecki in the Masovian Voivodeship. The town has retained the top position for a second consecutive year.
The results showed that high quality-of-life scores are not the preserve of large cities. The top of the expert list is dominated by medium-sized towns and county centres, and no regional capital made the top ten.
Residents’ preference ranking topped by Warsaw
In the ranking based on residents’ preferences, Warsaw came out top. Other cities also made the top five.
The difference between the two rankings is explained by a different weighting of the criteria: in the expert assessment greater weight was given to the state of the natural environment and the quality of education, while in the residents’ survey economic conditions and the accessibility of services carried more weight.
In both assessments, the ability to obtain medical care, access to schools, transport and everyday services plays a significant role. These issues are particularly acute in settlements that lack infrastructure or where public transport is insufficiently effective.
The study also revealed regional differences: the best conditions were recorded in the Silesian Voivodeship, with the Greater Poland Voivodeship and southern regions also posting high results. By contrast, the lowest scores were observed in the Podlaskie Voivodeship; worse conditions were noted in the north-east, and in the West Pomeranian and Lublin Voivodeships.
