Populist movements in Poland are fueled by a decline in church attendance rather than a lack of money.

Regional data reveals that areas with rapid secularization are the strongest predictors of support for populist leaders. Most political observers blame economic inequality and job losses for the rise of the right wing. In reality, the loss of religious identity creates a social vacuum that political movements rush to fill. When traditional religious structures weaken, people look for new forms of belonging and moral certainty in nationalistic politics. This means fixing the economy will not stop populism if the underlying cultural shift continues.