Mechanisms of migration from Poland before and during the transition period

Abstract

This article explores Polish migratory movements with particular attention being paid to the mechanisms determining outflows before and after communism. The developments and changes that took place in Central and Easter Europe after 1989 had tremendous impact, both direct and indirect, on many spheres of life, including international migration. Migration became one of the distinct components of the transition period, and it changed markedly in character. This article reports both official statistics and results from an empirical research exercise on migration from Poland since the mid-1970s.