Poland should become a permanent member of G20, says Growth Commission
Poland should be made a permanent member of the G20, according to a new report published today by The Growth Commission.
The report, Economic Growth and the G20: Why fast-growing economies like Poland deserve a seat at the head table of global governance, argues that Poland’s economic growth, industrial strength and contribution to European security make its exclusion from the body increasingly difficult to justify.
Poland’s economic performance over the past two decades makes it a stand-out candidate for G20 status:
- it averaged 3.6% annual real GDP growth between 2006 and 2025, compared with 1.2% for the EU as a whole
- its real GDP per capita grew by an average of 4.0% a year between 2005 and 2025, compared with just 1.0% in Germany, 0.7% in France, 0.6% in Spain and 0.2% in Italy
The Growth Commission also argues that in assessing suitability for membership, the G20 should be looking not simply at the size of a country’s economy, but at its economic trajectory, productivity, resilience and willingness to shoulder strategic responsibilities. In this latter respect, Poland is now a major pillar of European security, with NATO estimating that it will spend 4.68% of GDP on defence in 2026, making it one of the alliance’s leading spenders on defence and security.
Shanker Singham, Chairman of The Growth Commission and principal author of the report, said:
“The G20 cannot afford to remain a legacy club for yesterday’s powers. If global economic summits are to offer practical solutions to such issues as trade fragmentation, energy transitions, security shocks and productivity slowdowns, they must include nations that demonstrate structural dynamism, industrial capacity and strategic leadership.
“Poland has earned its place at the table through sustained convergence, disciplined reform, market openness, relative regulatory discipline, a broad productive base and a clear willingness to carry responsibility for European security.
“The G20 is precisely the entity that should be helping national leaders refocus on the core pillars that make an economy grow: economic dynamism, productivity and the elimination of barriers to voluntary exchange. But membership of the body needs to be refreshed, since anti-growth policy choices of some existing members have a tendency to skew its conclusions.
“Poland deserves its seat at the table given its growth record, industrial capacity and strategic contribution to European defence. Making the country a permanent member would help put growth, resilience and market fundamentals closer to the centre of global economic policy-making”.
The case for Poland’s accession was bolstered by the United States’ decision in April 2026 to invite Poland to participate at all levels of G20 work during the current U.S. presidency of the body. The Growth Commission argues that there should be a consensus process to make Poland a permanent G20 member, and if that is not immediately achievable, it should at least for the time being be afforded the same permanent-guest status of Spain.
The report points to the forthcoming G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee on 30th September – 1st October and the Leaders’ Summit in Miami on 14th – 15th December as important opportunities for making the case for Poland’s permanent membership.
Click here to read the full report.
