Poland
Annual increase: 8.1%
If overall GDP is any reflection of the overall housing market, then it may be no surprise that prices in Poland have been rising.
During the economic downturn, it was the only country in the European Union (which it joined in 2004) that maintained positive economic growth, although the country on average was still poorer than other EU countries. As The Economist suggests, this was partly coincidental. Poland's government kept the property boom in check and banks operated under tough regulations that restrained borrowing, primarily in foreign currency.
In 2010, as home prices surged, Poland's economic growth rate more than doubled over the previous year to 3.8%. Much of the growth had to do with companies rebuilding inventory, but it was also driven by higher consumer demand as employment and wages improved.
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Last updated April 28 2011: 12:31 PM ET
