The
Poles (, ; singular masculine:
Polak, singular feminine:
Polka) are a nation and
West Slavic ethnic group native to
Poland. The population of Poles in Poland is estimated at 37,310,000 out of an overall population of 38,538,000 (based on the 2011
census). The
preamble to the
Constitution of the Republic of Poland defines the Polish nation as comprising all the
citizens of Poland;
ethnicity is a private matter of each citizen.