Poland 2026: knowledge and behaviors about microbiota
The survey was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 people in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, United States, Mexico, Brazil China, and Vietnam).
Poland and microbiota: strong awareness and the highest probiotic prescription rate in Europe with behavioral change above the global average.
Summarizing Poland's results in the survey
In 2026, Poland stands out for two distinctive features: the highest probiotic prescription rate in Europe (66%), and a behavioral change rate (59%) above the global average. These results suggest a clinical culture that is genuinely active around microbiota. The limitation is educational depth: only 19% of Polish respondents received all key information from their healthcare professional. HCPs do not seem to educate patients on microbiota early development, given Polish low awareness of the first 1000 days.
1. Polish awareness of the microbiota is both strong and broad
In Poland, 74% of respondents have heard of the microbiota, above the global average of 72% and stable compared to 2025. Poland’s awareness profile is one of the more consistent in Europe: relatively strong across all microbiota types, without the skew toward the gut microbiota that characterizes other countries.
of Polish respondents have already heard of the term microbiota
(vs. 72% globally)
of them know exactly what the microbiota is
(vs. 24% globally)
over half are aware of the gut microbiota
(vs. 63% globally)
Solid awareness across microbiota types
Poland shows balanced awareness across most specific microbiotas:
- 52% are aware of the oral microbiota, on par with global average (52%);
- 49% are aware of the skin microbiota, (vs. 50% globally);
- 48% are aware of the vaginal microbiota, below global average (51%);
- 46% are aware of the lung microbiota, above global average (44%).
Learn all about microbiota
Learn moreSolid knowledge of the microbiota despite familiar gaps
Polish respondents score well on several specific knowledge items, particularly around diet and antibiotics:
- 85% know diet has significant consequences on microbiota balance, above global the average (79%);
- 80% know antibiotics have an impact on the microbiota, the highest rate in Europe;
- 66% correctly link IBS, obesity, and vaginosis to the microbiota.
As in most countries, knowledge gaps emerge on the more complex topics:
2. Poles continue to adopt microbiota-friendly habits and behavioral changes
Poland is the European country with the highest probiotic prescription rate: 66% of respondents were prescribed probiotics or prebiotics. This clinical engagement appears to translate into behavior: 59% of Polish respondents have changed their behaviors to protect their microbiota, above the global average of 53% and among the highest in Europe.
of Polish people have changed behaviors to protect their microbiota
(vs. 53% globally)
of them were prescribed probiotics or prebiotics
(vs. 51% globally)
consume fermented foods at least weekly
(vs. 67% globally)
Poland’s behavioral profile shows several notable strengths
Polish respondents consistently perform well on foundational health habits that support microbiota balance:
The majority of Polish people say they engage in physical activity at least weekly (79% vs. 73% globally) and consume fermented foods regularly (84% vs. 67% globally).
Habits that could be strengthened
Despite these solid foundations, microbiota-targeted supplementation habits and dieting could be improved:
36% of Polish respondents consume probiotics and 1 in 3 consume prebiotics monthly — below global averages of 42% and 38%, respectively. Only 30% eat multiple fruits and vegetables daily, below global average (40%).
The combination of high fermented food consumption and above-average behavioral change suggests that microbiota health is increasingly part of daily consciousness in Poland even if specific supplementation habits are not yet fully embedded.
What is the difference between prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics?
Find out more...
3. Polish healthcare professionals are active prescribers of probiotics
Polish healthcare professionals are among the most active prescribers of probiotics in Europe. But the educational component that should accompany this clinical activity is lagging. Trust in HCPs is high (94%), yet only 19% of Polish respondents received all key microbiota information from their healthcare professional.
of Polish people trust HCPs as one of their primary sources on microbiota information
(vs. 94% globally)
of them received an explanation of what the microbiota is
(vs. 39% globally)
received all key microbiota information from their HCP
(vs. 23% globally)
Despite above-average prescriptions, antibiotic education lags
The antibiotic picture in Poland is distinctive. Co-prescription of probiotics with antibiotics is the highest in Europe but the explanations given when prescribing antibiotics remains only average.
44% of respondents were told by their HCP antibiotics could negatively affect their microbiota balance (vs. 39% globally). 60% were co-prescribed probiotics alongside antibiotics, the highest in Europe (vs. 38% globally). Finally, 27% received all key antibiotic-related microbiota information from their HCP (vs. 25% globally).
Some information gaps remain when prescribing antibiotics
Despite Poland's generally above-average HCP engagement, some opportunities for education could still be used:
- 41% were told about digestive disorders associated with antibiotics
(vs. 45% globally); - Only 36% were given advice on limiting the negative consequences of taking antibiotics on the microbiota as much as possible, on par with global averages.
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?
Learn more
4. The first 1,000 days: a concept still unknown among Polish parents
The first 1,000 days focus reveals room for growth in parental education in Poland. About 39% of Polish parents and pregnant women have heard of the concept (below the global average of 43%). Moreover, only 23% of parents received all key information from their pediatrician (vs. 31% globally).
of Polish parents/pregnant women are aware of the first 1,000 days concept
(vs. 43% globally)
of them claimed to know exactly what it means
(vs. 15% globally)
said to have received information on early microbiota development by an HCP
(vs. 39% globally)
Notable misconceptions among Polish parents
- 6% of parents know that the baby's microbiota does not start developing inside the mother's womb, below the global average of 11%;
- 69% don't know that by age 5 the gut microbiota is not yet adult-like;
- 32% don't know the impact of early antibiotic use on infant gut microbiota development, slightly below the global average of 35%;
- Only 1 in 4 know that pet exposure during early life influences the gut microbiota.
In Poland, there's high trust in healthcare professionals and elevated rates of probiotic prescription. These factors are not necessarily translated into profound knowledge of the early microbiota development. HCPs could provide better explanations when it comes to the first 1000 days, so Poland closes the gap being clinical action and education.
Methodology
This fourth edition of the International Microbiota Observatory was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 individuals in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, Vietnam), between February 3rd and March 13th, 2026. Samples are representative of the population aged 18 and over, via quota sampling (gender, age, region, socio-professional category). Statistical significance is calculated at a 95% confidence level. The survey lasted ten minutes.
The questionnaire covered: microbiota awareness and knowledge; information received from HCPs; behaviors; women's knowledge of the vaginal microbiota; parental knowledge of the first 1,000 days; and health data.
