[Hoplite]

Russia
GDP 2004: $9,800
GDP growth: 6.7%
Inflation rate: 11.5%
Population growth: -0.37%

Ergo, $9,800 * (1 + .067) * (1 - .115) / (1 - .0037) = $9,288

Poland
GDP 2004: $12,000
GDP growth: 5.6%
Inflation rate: 3.4%
Population growth: .03%

Ergo, $12,000 * (1 + .056) * (1 - .034) / (1 + .0003)= $12,237

In real terms, over the course of 2004, Russians would have grown poorer, whereas Poles would have grown richer.

Since it's 2005 now, and you have, I assume, some knowledge (whether first or second hand) of the Polish side of the equation, are things improving in Poland, economy wise, and is there a "gray market" which accounts for some of the unemployed? (Working, but not on the books for tax purposes.)

[Lukasz]

In first quarter of 2005, GDP grow was 2,9% (because of “base effect”). Experts expect that in second quarter we will have 3,9%, third quarter 4,5% and four quarter 4,6%. Generally GDP grow for 2005 should be 4,0%.

Inflation rate 3,2%

GDP per capita $13,275

About gray market, hard to tell. For sure many people are working illegally. But for sure situation isn’t worse than it was before.

[jb6]

In real terms, over the course of 2004, Russians would have grown poorer, whereas Poles would have grown richer.

Lets try to tell some truth shall we. Yes they have but it was because of the falling dollar value, since most Russians are paid in dollars. But why mention the details. Oh, by the way, missed you on all the Kosovo threads lately. Hehehehe