An increasing number of Polish nationals are marrying foreigners, according to the Polish Central Statistical Office. In 2016 more than 13.5 thousand such marriages were registered in Poland, a 19.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. These represent 7 percent of civil weddings celebrated nationwide.

Around 2/3 of these marriages took place abroad and nearly 4.7 thousand in Poland. Based on data collected, foreign husbands of Polish women originated mainly from Western countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. Foreign wives of Polish men were mainly from bordering countries in the East including Russia and Belarus. Ukrainians are well represented in both categories. 

According to the Central Statistical Office, the number of such marriages concluded last year is probably higher given that Polish nationals who get married abroad are not obliged to inform the Polish registry offices.

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