EN
Knowledge is the most valuable resource in the twenty-first century economy which determines the economy development. The importance of natural resources and low-skilled labor decreases, while the role of human capital increases. The economies of highly developed countries are based on the growing resources of educated people with creative and innovative skills, which is a necessary condition for technological, economic and social progress. In order to show the relationship between education and economic development the article discusses: the old and new development paradigms, the fields of educational effects, the state of education in Poland and on that basis certain conclusions are drawn for Poland.