Czech population change - 1st – 3rd quarter of 2024. Natural population decline was all-time high

According to the population balance of the CZSO, the population of Czechia had 10.897 million at the end of September this year. The decline from 10.901 million as at 1 January was the result of a negative balance of natural change supported by a significant population decline due to international migration in March. "In every month from January to September this year, the number of deaths exceeded the number of live births. The population of Czechia thus declined steadily due to natural change. In total, there was a record decline of 18.3 thousand in the first three quarters," says Michaela Němečková from the Demographic Statistics Unit of the CZSO. Since the independence of the Czech Republic, the largest decline in population due to natural change in this part of the year was recorded three years ago, in 2021, when it was -17.9 thousand.

Figure Population change in 1st – 3rd quarter of 2023 and 2024

The balance of international migration was positive in the first to third quarter of this year at 15.0 thousand, but it decreased significantly year-on-year (by 59.3 thousand). A total of 98.5 thousand persons moved to Czechia from abroad, by 14.2 thousand less year-on-year. On the other hand, the number of emigrants to abroad increased by 45.2 thousand to 83.5 thousand. However, more than half of the emigrants' residence ended in March, which corresponds to the expiry date of the granted temporary protection of those who did not apply for its extension.

During January – September, a total of 64.2 thousand babies were born live , by 5.9 thousand less, or 8%, year-on-year. The most significant decrease was in the number of births to women in the 25–29 age group, both in absolute terms (by 2.6 thousand) and in relative terms (by 13%). For women in the 20–24, 30–34 and 35–39 age groups, the number of births fell by 6–9%. The share of live births born outside marriage was 46.8%, which was by 0.4 p.p. less than in the same period in 2023. The number of deaths during the first three quarters of this year was 82.6 thousand, by 0.3 thousand less than in the same period of 2023. While the number of deaths fell year-on-year in the first two quarters, the opposite was true in the third quarter. Most deceased were among men in the 75–79 age group and women in the 80–84 age group.

A total of 38.1 thousand couples entered into marriage during January–September. This was by 4.4 thousand couples, or 10%, less than in the same period of 2023. Most brides and grooms were of the generation born in 1993 and were aged 30 years. According to preliminary data, there was 15.1 thousand divorces, by 0.7 thousand (5%) more year-on-year. Two-thirds of married couples were divorced indisputably on the basis of a joint petition. Divorces were most frequent after 4 to 7 years of marriage. A total of 14.1 thousand minor children were living in marriages at the time of divorce.