Social Structure of the Urban Population in the People’s Republic of Poland (1944–1970)

Abstract

This study analyzes the profound social and structural changes within the urban population of the People’s Republic of Poland between 1944 and 1970. The background is the post-World War II transformation, marked by war devastation, mass migrations, and rapid industrialization, which triggered significant urbanization processes.
The aim of the article is to present the key trends in demographic, social, and occupational development among townsmen during this period. The author investigates changes in class and social strata composition, the role of rural-to-urban migration, and the impact of industrialization on social mobility. The analysis is based on extensive demographic and statistical data, as well as interdisciplinary studies from sociology, history, and urban research.
The study reveals that the proportion of the urban population increased markedly—from 31.8% in 1946 to 52.2% in 1970. Rural migration was a key driver of this change. New social groups emerged, particularly the urban working class and a growing urban intelligentsia, often originating from rural backgrounds. These structural shifts brought with them social tensions and adaptation challenges, referred to as “cultural collisions” between rural and urban norms.
The article concludes that the postwar era saw the formation of a new urban social fabric, characterized by increasing occupational differentiation, evolving lifestyles, and a gradual homogenization of cultural consumption patterns. Urbanization is thus understood not only as a spatial phenomenon but as a broader process of social transformation.