Outward migration of Poles after 2004 – its determinants, main directions, and influence on the economic security of the Republic of Poland

The aim of the study conducted for the purposes of this paper was to explore the scale, causes and directions of Polish outward migration (beyond national borders) after Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, as well as to assess the impact of its increase on the economic security of the country. The subject of the study was the phenomenon of Polish outward migration after 2004. A theoretical research method was applied in the research process – source analysis (using content analysis technique) of literature, strategic documents, and statistics. The study shows that the main directions of outward migration of Poles after 2004 are the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland, and the most important reasons for this migration include favourable economic conditions in these countries and the presence of Polish migrants who arrived there earlier.