An analytical publication prepared for the purposes of monitoring the National Strategy of Regional Development 2030. The contents of the publication provide a basis for effective identification of the voivodship's development needs thus supporting regional analyses aimed at monitoring the principles of public policy. The statistical data are presented in several thematic chapters describing the area and territorial division of the voivodship, the state of the environment, the social potential including human capital and the quality of life of the local population, the economy in the broadest sense, including gross domestic product, entrepreneurship, manufacturing and services, as well as development management, including spatial planning, covering issues of spatial development and revitalisation of gminas.

The analytical part of the publication is preceded by the synthesis, which presents the fundamental changes taking place in specific social and economic areas. Selected data categories are presented in relation to the country as a whole. The analytical commentary is complemented by a tabular and graphical presentation of the data for the period 2015–2024. For a more complete picture of territorial diversity, selected statistical information is provided at the level of powiats and gminas. An essential part of the report is also made up of overview tables with selected data on the Śląskie Voivodship and Katowice in the period 2015–2024 and on cities with powiat rights for the last available year.

For the first time, this year's edition of the publication includes an annex with selected information on the Strategic Intervention Areas (OSI). These are defined in the National Regional Development Strategy 2030 as areas ('gminas') threatened by permanent marginalisation and towns that are losing their socio-economic functions, for which special development support instruments are available.