We propose the investigation of the internal and external conditions for the development strategy of rural areas (in the form of 21 factors) in 16 socio-economic regions (provinces). The results obtained by SWOT method call attention to the strong and weak sides, chances and threats occurring in the present and future development of rural areas and facilitate their proper regional politics. The regional development is the base of the successful conception of development strategy for the countries of the European Union. It should also be a certain model for the realisation of 5 scenarios of the development strategy of the rural areas in Poland.