Are Polish nurses and doctors dying younger? Experts question statistics
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Sources not specified
Context piece
- Reports claim Polish nurses and doctors die significantly younger than the general population, citing figures from professional chambers.
- The National Chamber of Nurses and Midwives (NIPIP) reported an average age of death for nurses at 62.3 years, significantly lower than the national average for women.
- However, the article questions the interpretation of these statistics, suggesting a misunderstanding of how life expectancy and age at death are calculated, particularly concerning infant mortality rates.
Alarming reports suggest that nurses and doctors in Poland die significantly earlier than the average Pole, a claim amplified by professional medical chambers. The National Chamber of Nurses and Midwives (NIPIP) released a report in April 2022 stating that the average age of death for nurses and midwives was 62.3 years. This figure is presented as substantially lower than the national average for women, which stands at 81.8 years according to GUS (Statistics Poland).
The statistical nurse, midwife lives shorter than the statistical Polish woman.
The NIPIP study analyzed data from the PESEL registry between 2016 and 2021, encompassing all individuals who ever held a nursing or midwifery license, regardless of whether they were actively practicing. Similarly, in July 2026, ลukasz Jankowski, president of the Supreme Medical Chamber (NIL), stated that doctors also live shorter lives than the general population, estimating a difference of two to three years for men and even more for women.
We live shorter lives as doctors than the average of society, by two to three years for men, and even more years of life are lost by women.
These statistics, particularly those concerning nurses, have generated considerable shock and widespread media coverage. Publications have highlighted claims that nurses live up to 20 years less than the average. Krystyna Ptok, chairwoman of the All-Poland Trade Union of Nurses and Midwives, has repeatedly cited this figure, including during a parliamentary visit in late 2023. Anna Czarnecka, chairwoman of the Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Gdaลsk, has also echoed these claims, stating that Polish nurses' lifespan does not exceed 62 years.
Nurses live 20 years shorter.
However, the article raises doubts about the interpretation of these numbers, questioning the possibility of such a stark difference given the average age of nurses is around 53.7 years. It suggests that the alarming figures stem from a misinterpretation of statistical data, drawing parallels to how average life expectancy in prehistoric times was skewed by high infant mortality. The article implies that while the age at death for nurses might be lower than the national average, the widely reported "20 years less" figure may be a statistical myth born from a misunderstanding of data presentation.
The length of life of a Polish nurse does not exceed 62 years and is 20 years shorter than the average length of life of women in Poland.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
