The Czech population grew slightly in 2024 – despite a renewed decline in the birth rate and a negative natural population balance. The main driver of population growth was immigration, according to the latest data from the Czech Statistical Office, published yesterday.
The population of the Czech Republic increased by 8,900 people last year. As of 31 December 2024, the total population stood at 10,909,500 – the highest level since the end of the Second World War. However, in terms of natural population development, the population shrank for the sixth consecutive year. The pronounced natural decrease in 2024 was primarily due to the low number of births.
With 84,300 live births, the number was 6,800 – or 8% – below the previous year’s figure. “The number of births fell significantly for the third year in a row in 2024. The annual total of 84,311 represents a new historic low, falling short of the previous negative record of 89,471 from 1999,” said Michaela Němečková from the Population Statistics Department of the Czech Statistical Office. The number of first-born children fell by 9%, second-borns by 7%, and children born in third or higher order by 5%. According to provisional data, the average number of children per woman was 1.37 – 0.1% lower than in 2023. A total of 47.0% of children were born out of wedlock – a decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year.
In 2024, a total of 112,200 people died in the Czech Republic – 57,700 men and 54,500 women. Compared to 2023, this represents 600 fewer deaths (a 1% decrease). The highest death rates were recorded in January and December, the lowest in June. Among age groups, the highest numbers of deaths were recorded among people aged 80 to 84 (19,200) and 75 to 79 (19,000). Preliminary estimates suggest that the decline in deaths was accompanied by a further increase in life expectancy for both men and women.
A total of 44,500 couples got married – 3,800 or 8% fewer than in 2023. Fewer marriages were recorded in all five-year age groups between 25 and 50 compared to the previous year. The divorce rate rose slightly, to 40% (compared to 37% in 2023).
The Czech Republic gained 36,800 inhabitants through immigration from abroad. Compared to 2023, this marked a significant decrease – by 57,800 people. The number of immigrants fell by 19,400 to 121,800, but remained significantly higher than in the years prior to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
