The population of the Czech Republic increased by 25.0 thousand to 10 578.8 thousand during 2016. The population growth resulted from net migration (20.1 thousand) as well as natural change (4.9 thousand). In the year-on-year comparison, the number of live births (112.7 thousand) increased and the number of deaths (107.8 thousand) went down at the same time. The number of marriages (50.8 thousand) was the highest over the past eight years. On the contrary, the number of divorces was lower (25.0 thousand). The number of abortions did not significantly change.

According to the preliminary statistical balance the population of the Czech Republic reached 10 578.8 thousand on 31 December; the figure was by 25.0 thousand higher than on 1 January. The major part of population growth resulted from positive migration balance (20.1 thousand). However, the natural change also contributed to the population growth when the number of deaths was by 4.9 thousand lower than the number of live births in 2016. There were more people aged 65 and more (by 3%) and children aged 0–14 (by 1%) during 2016.

In 2016 the number of live births has increased for the third year in a row. The total number of live births was 112.7 thousand, the highest over the past six-year period. In the year-on-year comparison the number of the first born children (54.9 thousand) so as the second born children (41.3 thousand) and the higher-order children (16.4 thousand) increased. The number of children born to single women contributed mostly to this increase but, firstly since 2009, the number of children born to married mothers also did not go down. The share of live births outside marriage was 48.6% (it was 47.8% a year before). The most children were born to women aged 31; in the case of first born children the women aged 29 prevailed. According to the preliminary estimation the total fertility rate went up above 1.6 children per woman in the Czech Republic in 2016.

According to the preliminary data there were 107.8 thousand deaths in 2016, by 3.4 thousand less than a year before. But, the number of deaths was very high in 2015. In 2016 the most deceased were registered in December and the fewest in September. The average age of man at death was 72.3 years and 79.2 years among woman. However, the most frequent age at death was 85 years. A total of 317 children died during their first year of life; it was 2.8‰ out of live births.

After the seven-year period the number of marriages exceeded the 50 thousand level again when a total of 50.8 thousand were entered into, by 2.6 thousand more than in the previous year. The highest number of weddings was held in June (9.2 thousand), the lowest in January (1.0 thousand). In the year-on-year comparison there were more marriages of single people as well as marriages of divorced or widowed. Also the nuptiality of single people and also divorced was higher. The most frequent age of a groom was 30 and 28 for a bride. 

The Czech courts issued 25.0 thousand decisions about divorces in 2016; it was by 1.1 thousand less than in 2015. In 58.9% cases the divorces affected families with minors; families with one minor (7.5 thousand) and two minors (6.4 thousand) prevailed. The highest divorce intensity was in duration interval from three to six year after marriage. According to the preliminary estimations the total divorce rate slightly decreased to 45% in 2016 and the mean duration of marriage at divorce was 13.1 year.

According to the preliminary data the number of abortions was 35.9 thousand in 2016, by 138 more than in 2015. More than a half belonged to the induced abortions (20.3 thousand). The number of spontaneous abortions was 13.9 thousand and the number of terminations of ectopic pregnancy was 1.3 thousand. The abortions were mostly performed to single women (18.4 thousand); both at induced and spontaneous ones.

A total of 37.5 thousand people immigrated to the Czech Republic from abroad during 2016, by 2.6 thousand more than in 2015. In opposite direction, a total of 17.4 thousand people moved their residence. The balance of net migration was positive in 2016 and amounted to 20.1 thousand; it was by 4.1 thousand higher than in 2015. The highest positive migration balance was registered with citizens of Slovakia (5.3 thousand), Ukraine (3.3 thousand) and Romania (1.5 thousand). The same order was also in 2015.

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Notes:
All data refer to the resident population of the Czech Republic, irrespective of citizenship. Since 2001, the figures include (in accordance with the Population and Housing Census 2001) foreigners with long-term stay (i.e., the stay based on visa over 90 days, as stipulated by Act No. 326/1999 Coll.) and foreigners with granted asylum status (in compliance with Act No. 325/1999 Coll.). Since 1st May 2004, in accordance with amendment No. 326/1999 Coll., the figures include also citizens of the European Union with temporary stay on the territory of the Czech Republic, and Third countries citizens with long-term residence permit. The data also contain information on events (marriages, births and deaths) of permanent residents of the Czech Republic that occurred abroad.
All data for 2016 are preliminary.
Responsible manager: Josef Škrabal, director of Population Statistics Department,
tel. +420 274 052 189, e-mail: josef.skrabal@czso.cz
Contact person: Michaela Němečková, Demographic Statistics Unit,
tel. +420 274 052 184, e-mail: michaela.nemeckova@czso.cz
Data source: Demographic statistics – results of processing statistical reports of Obyv series
Divorces – Information system of the Ministry of the Justice of the CR
Migration data – Information System of Inhabitants Records (Ministry of the Interior of the CR) and Alien Information System (Directorate of Alien Police)
Abortions – Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the CR
End of data collection: 9 March 2017
Related publication: 130062-16 Population of the Czech Republic – year 2016
https://www.czso.cz/current-product/41180
Next News Release: 12 June 2017

This press release was not edited for language.