The importance of employing knowledge for economic progress and the necessity of the development of human capital are among ten biggest challenges Poland faces, according to the strategy Poland 2030. As assumed in this strategy, in the next 17 years human capital is to become the main source of competitiveness of the Polish economy.

Changes in the economy, especially in the demands of the labour market have changed the attitude of the youth and adults towards education. Realization of the fact that higher education increases the possibility of getting a better paid job and creates wider perspectives for professional development, resulted in an increased demand for education. This trend is evident in the data on the level of education of the population gathered in the National Census of Population and Housing.