It was always higher than in the US but it didn't rise during the crisis. Right now it's definitely lower (lower than 8% if I remember correctly).
Actually Poland had the fastest growing (yeah, growing) GDP during the crisis.
edit: the latest data I found is from November - it was 8,8% here as opposed to 9% in the US.
However in 2007 it was over 10% while in 2002 it was around 16%. They are predicting that this year it might go down to as low as 4,8% (but I don't really believe it). However it's getting better with each year.
Well, those who say the crisis is over are trying to keep the people optimistic so that they go out and spend more rather than sit on their money to actually get a recovery going.
What they don't realize is people are so far in debt in the US they have no more money to spend.
Yeah this is even a little midleading cus even people who have jobs aren't working 40 hr weeks. Half the people I know have had their hours cut like shadows was talking about.