CBOS survey finds family happiness and health top value rankings among Poles in 2026

Dominance of prosocial values

Family happiness and health remain the primary life priorities declared by Poles, according to a CBOS study conducted in late August 2026. When asked to choose up to five values of key significance in their daily lives from a provided list, 74% of respondents selected family happiness. Health followed in second place, chosen by 71% of surveyed individuals. Prosocial orientations such as family well-being, honesty, and mutual respect continue to place substantially higher than individualistic pursuits, including personal wealth, fame, or excitement.

Honesty was chosen by 49% of participants, representing a core priority for nearly half of the population. Peace and tranquility were cited by 48% of respondents, making everyday calmness a key personal concern. Respect from others was identified as an important value by 41% of respondents. These indicators demonstrate that ethical standards, social recognition, and emotional security retain broad prominence across Polish society.

Notable shifts since the 2019 baseline

Public declarations have changed in several specific areas when evaluated against the previous measurement completed in 2019. Health registered the largest upward movement in the study, gaining 16 percentage points over the seven-year span. In contrast, family happiness declined by 6 percentage points from its 2019 measurement, although it preserved its ranking at the top of the overall table.

Social circles and workplace focus recorded distinct downward trajectories between the two polling cycles. Maintaining a circle of friends was selected by 25% of respondents, reflecting a 20-percentage-point decrease from 2019. Professional work was cited by 27% of respondents, representing a 9-percentage-point decrease compared to the earlier measurement. Religious faith was chosen by 21% of respondents, dropping by 7 percentage points over the same timeframe.

Civic and personal development showed positive movement over the comparison period. The freedom to express one's own views was identified by 26% of respondents, an increase of 8 percentage points since 2019. Education also gained 8 percentage points, reaching an 18% selection rate. The prosperity of the homeland was cited by 20% of respondents as a meaningful life value.

Individual pursuits and survey structure

Individual achievement, material wealth, and leisure recorded the lowest levels of preference among participants. Personal prosperity and wealth were chosen by 10% of respondents. An identical 10% of participants selected the opportunity to participate in democratic and social life. Contact with culture was named as an important value by 9% of surveyed individuals.

The lowest-ranking categories in the study were a life full of adventure and excitement at 6%, and achieving success and fame at 3%. CBOS collected the data as part of its "Current Problems and Events" research cycle between 20 and 30 August 2026. The poll surveyed a representative sample of 935 people. The research centre explained that the cumulative percentages across all categories exceed 100% because respondents could choose up to five distinct options from the questionnaire.