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4. National and regional population trends over the past 17 years

The population of the Czech Republic was 10.36 million people in 1990 as compared with 10.22 in 2002. The number of newly-born children in the Czech Republic has dropped over the period 1990-2001 from 130,564 in 1990 to 90,715 in 2001. In 2002 the continuous fall stopped and, after nine years, the population started to increase gradually (Fig.4.1). The population deficit has been reduced owing to migration from neighbouring countries, however, the final balance, despite this international ´support´ remained negative. In 2004 the estimated population growth is approx. 4,000, again due to immigration.

Fig.4.1: Demographic trend in the Czech Republic 1990 – 2003

(source: Czech Statistical Office)

According to the prognoses of the Czech Statistical Office a substantial population growth cannot be expected in the following years. Numbers of newly-born children are likely to come near to 70,000 and numbers of deaths will be much higher. The future fall in population will depend on how many immigrants will be received by the people in the Czech Republic. If the Czech Republic receives several tens of thousands of economic immigrants every year, the population will remain at the present level until 2030. Otherwise, the population will drop up to 9 million in 2030.

With continually increasing average age the demographic structure of the society is changing as can be seen in Fig. 4.2. Numbers of people in productive age (15-65) drop while numbers of pensioners go up.

Fig.4.2: Percentages of seniors over 60 in Czech population 1950 -2000

and estimate for 2000-2020

(source: Czech Statistical Office)

In 2005 there are approx. 15 % of seniors (over 65 years) and 70% of people in poductive age. As the ratio is one pensioner per 4.5 economically active persons, the demographic-economic stituation is favourable. However, it will be getting worse and if the average age goes up to 90 years, then there will be one pensioner per 3 working people in 2030 and one pensioner per only 2 working people in 2050, according to the Czech Statistical Office.