Data from the 2021 National Census shows a noticeable drop in the number of people who declare Silesian nationality. In 2011, 847,000 individuals identified as Silesian, while in 2021 the figure declined to 585,000. Piotr Spyra, a historian and co founder of the Polish Silesian Movement, commented on Facebook that these results represent the defeat of supporters who want Silesians recognized as a separate ethnic or national group.
Identity at the national and ethnic level is a dynamic phenomenon, and census data over time reveal how this evolution unfolds. A comparison of the two most recent censuses, 2011 and 2021, suggests that advocates for creating a distinct Silesian ethnicity or nation are on the defensive. The analysis focuses on two indicators released today: the total count of Silesian identifications and the number of individuals who first declared Silesian nationality. In 2011, there were 847,000 declarations of Silesian identity, including 436,000 people who identified it as their first nationality. By 2021, the total stood at just over 585,000, with nearly 232,000 people listing Silesian identity as their primary identification.
Piotr Spyra noted this shift and its significance as a topic for further examination. The data point to a meaningful decline in the number of people who choose Silesian nationality, prompting questions about regional identity dynamics in Poland and among Silesians living in other parts of the country.
These figures come amid broader discussions about how census results reflect evolving regional identities and the pressures affecting political and cultural movements tied to Silesian heritage.
Source: wPolityce