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Young, Poland has the largest working population in the region of the Central Europe. It is also one of the youngest countries on the continent - 35% of the Polish society is under the age of 25 years. This means that about 14 million young and well-educated people will enter the labor market in the future, which stands for a potential unparalleled in today's Europe. Educated, The education level of the Polish workforce is considerably high in both skilled and unskilled sectors. A growing number of Poles graduate from High Schools. In 2002 there were over 1.8 million students at higher education institutions, and 4 times more graduates than a decade before. Those people realize that thorough education and hard work are determining factors of their future professional success. Participation rates in education in the 18-24 age group, 2000 Czech Republic 30.2% Hungary 37.2% Poland 47.0% Source: Statistical Yearbook on Candidate and South-East European Countries 2002, p.29 and cheap Since 2001 wages in Poland have been increasing very slowly due to high unemployment. As a result the wage level in the Czech Republic and Hungary, is now higher than in Poland. Average monthly wages in the first half of 2003 Hungary 529 EUR Czech Republic 514 EUR Poland 511 EUR Source: Statistical Offices of Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary In a survey commissioned by PAIiIZ in 2003, over 700 foreign investors operating in Poland were asked about the key factors for choosing Poland as their investment location. The main reasons for entering Poland turned out to be qualified workforce and low labor costs (89% of indications) as well as availability of labor force (85%), followed by perspectives of economic growth (89%) and market size (85%). According to estimates about 1 million people are employed by foreign investors. "They are young, they are energetic, they are highly educated and they make continuous improvement." (Gregory Spalding, HR Director, General Motors) Text source: Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ)