Poland is depopulating. Without a program to accept migrants, our labor market will not cope

• Depopulation affects the entire country, not individual local governments.

• According to Jacek Szołtysek, the only way to save the labor market "right now" is a program for accepting migrants.

• - There is no other way. Unfortunately, the state does not want to plan too much. Currently, planning is done only in the context of populism and the fight for support of parties or society - the specialist laments.

Depopulation - with which PortalSamorzadowy.pl began the conversation with prof. Jacek Szołtysek from the University of Economics in Katowice during the European Economic Congress - is becoming an increasingly serious problem in Poland. In the last 14 years alone, the number of inhabitants of the country has decreased by over a million people. According to prof. Szołtysek, the response of the labor market should be to accept immigrants.

- And I have no doubt that this is currently the only reasonable solution - emphasizes Prof. Jacek Szołtysek.

As he adds, even if we immediately began to strive to increase the birth rate, it would take decades before these children entered the labor market.

Migrants who are supposed to come from abroad cannot be treated in the same way as before

- says Prof. Szołtysek.

- I mean suspicion, the belief that they are dangerous, that they will force us to follow their beliefs or impose different behaviors. We need to find people in Poland who will actually fill the competence gaps on the labor market - he emphasizes.

The expert also notes that it is crucial to bring people who want to link their lives with Poland permanently. It would be best if they were couples with children - although not necessarily formal marriages. Meanwhile, currently, migrants who come exclusively for work and plan to leave after a short time dominate.

- And this is our real problem. However, it results, among other things, from the contract system in force in Poland. Foreigners have difficulties in obtaining permission for legal and long-term stay - notes Jacek Szołtysek.

- Unfortunately, our country does not show much willingness to plan long-term. Those in power would like to plan, but they do so solely for populist reasons - striving to gain the support of the party or society - laments Jacek Szołtysek.

Local governments are making various attempts to introduce programs aimed at preventing depopulation. Although encouraging residents to have more children is a difficult challenge, the real problem is keeping people in a given city . In this context, small villages are serious competition for urban centers - notes Prof. Jacek Szołtysek from the University of Economics in Katowice.

Villages have long ceased to be stereotypical areas where there is a lot of mud, and in the morning you have to drive animals out to the field, and in the evening you have to drive them back. Today, these are places that, on the one hand, offer greater comfort of life - it is clean, the neighbors are close, the houses are of good quality - and on the other hand, they give you the opportunity to carry out tasks that you can forget about when living in a city.

- says Prof. Jacek Szołtysek.

As he adds, even a much wider cultural offer does not necessarily convince people to live in a city.

- We have the internet, and with it access to many portals offering films and series. I can also buy any book online. Therefore, I can satisfy many needs in the countryside. And if I feel like going to a water park, a philharmonic or a climbing wall - I will go to the city, which is close to me - explains Jacek Szołtysek.

The professor also emphasizes that primary schools in villages do not differ in level from those functioning in cities. What is more, in his opinion, the Internet offers great opportunities in this area, and specifically so-called schools in the cloud.

The village will not pose a direct threat to the city's population, because it will not attract a large number of its inhabitants. However, it can be said that villages located near the metropolis offer something that the city will never provide. I mean a lower population density, better natural conditions and the possibility of fulfilling oneself "without disturbing others"

- assesses Prof. Szołtysek.