The poorest regions in Poland are experiencing the fastest-growing price increases, according to the latest numbers from the country's Central Statistical Office (GUS).

In the Podkarpackie region, inflation rose by 4.9 percent in 2011, while the Świętokrzyskie region also saw high inflation rates of 4.7 percent.

However, in richer areas such as Mazowsze and Silesia, inflation fell to 3.7 percent, 0.6 percentage point lower than the national average.

Experts point to the fact that the latest figures are evidence that differences between Polish regions are actually shrinking, reported Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. Less affluent areas of the country are seeing greater price increases because previously they were significantly cheaper than Poland's more well off regions.

Poland A.M.