I also changed my position couple of times.
If I stayed at the same position since 2012, I would go x3-x4.
The truth is - Poland is/was very poor because of communism. We were 50 years behind compared to the west. Now we are only 10 years behind.....
Even X3/X4 is insane dude...
And believe me. Everything goes up expedentionally in Poland just the same.
My flat? was like 40k$ in 2015. now the same flat would be 150-200k$....
My Electricity bill went up 200% in 8 years
my fees for flat (like administration, heating up water, trash etc) went 2x aswell since 2017
You don't understand that it's the same for everyone, but our salaries have flatlined since then. Not yours, which is good but it's not comparable then.
Example: Over the past 15 years (2010-2025), the price of electricity in France, based on EDF's regulated sales tariff (TRV) in the Base option, has increased by approximately 137%.
So again for example if they had let's say 150e per month to put into leisure, they only have 50 now. See the issue? And you're there saying it should go higher... How about salaries going higher too? Then it won't be an issue and 99% of people would be ok with games at 80.
But you know what's? better? Luxury goods still cost the same.
Console like ps5 being 500$ for example is great. Now I can get multiple of those for my one salary... and in 2012 I could get half of comparable 500$ console for my salary.
So Poland is catching up but we are still behind usa and west europe.
Life in Poland is significantly cheaper than in France (26 to 39% less) and in the United States (34% less on average).
"In fact, the cost of living in Poland in 2023 is on average 39% lower than in France."
"Grocery shopping is around 28-50% cheaper in Poland."
"Purchasing power: Although the average salary in Poland (around €1,200 gross/month, or €930 net) is lower than that of France (around €2,393 in Paris), the lower cost of living partially compensates for this difference, offering relatively decent purchasing power."
"Inflation: Poland has experienced high inflation (17.2% in February 2023), but it remains cheaper than France, where inflation was 5.4% in 2023"
"Leisure activities in Poland are also much cheaper than in France. For example the price of a cinema ticket in Warsaw is around 6 euros, compared to 11 euros in Paris."
It's the same in the US:
"Overall cost of living: The cost of living in Poland is on average 34.1% lower than in the United States"
"Food: Grocery shopping is about 42% more expensive in the United States."
Just ask Google, or an AI to make a summary. It's sourced and shows than it is, indeed, way cheaper in Poland.
edit: Also - I am an engineer so yes - my pay is OK compared to others. Of course it is. But it;s nothing spectacular
Nothing spectacular but as an engineer you are still in a way better position than most people in your country.