Foreigners in the Czech Republic

This is the sixth publication in the series ‘Foreigners in the Czech Republic’ of the Czech Statistical Office, which follows the first brought out in December 2001. In the new edition of 2006, new tables and graphs were added to some chapters.

The book updates and expands data on foreigners in the Czech Republic, focusing comprehensively on current data on foreign citizens who chose the Czech Republic to be their place of permanent or long-term residence, have found or are have been still seeking jobs there and/or came to the Czech Republic to escape political persecution or a critical economic situation in their countries. Data for the year 2005, frequently supplemented with time series of data for the previous years, are a focal point of the publication. Since there is not enough space in the paper version of this publication, data for all years, for which the data are available, are not included in tables containing time series. The whole time series can be found at the website of the CZSO:

Bringing out of the publication is based, the same as in the previous years, on a Government Resolution (this year it is the Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 126 of 8 February 2006).

Similarly to the publications brought out before the information presented in this book was gained from the information systems administered by the Ministry of the Interior of the CR, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the CR, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the CR, Ministry of Justice of the CR, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the CR, and Ministry of Health of the CR, and the Czech Statistical Office, and coordinated by the editorial board composed of representatives of the above-mentioned departments. Publishing this book is instigated by the Minister of the Interior’s Commission for the Integration of Foreigners and Development of Relations among Communities.

In Chapter 1 (Demographic aspects of the foreigner’s life) there are several new tables for regions and districts. Tables regarding purpose-for-stay were included again. They deal with the so-called primary purposes for stay - thus, even though it is possible for a person to have more purposes for stay, in relevant tables only primary purposes for stay are included that are mentioned in the databases of the information system of the Alien and Border Police of the CR – CIS. It means that number of purposes of stay is the same as the number of foreigners. A marked change in Chapter 1 is a change in the order of tables. We decided to change the order so that it is logical and corresponds to the genesis of tables and their mutual link-up; first of all, there are 3 tables coming directly from the Alien and Border Police (they do not contain data on persons with valid asylum). Following 2 tables put data from the Alien and Border Police into context with the population of the CR (asylum seekers are added as well as information on how many foreigners are counted in the population of the CR). Then there are 8 tables (5 of them in two alternatives – including foreigners holding visa over 90 days and without them), which contain information on foreigners including asylum seekers. The last 2 tables differ as for their data source; they deal with demographic events of foreigners and number of foreigners, who were granted citizenship of the CR.

In Chapter 4, changes of survey methodology resulted in a merger of former tables 4-1. and 4-2. Instead, table 4-2. contains an overview on foreigners at various types of schools in a time series. Tables with former numbers 4-3. and 4-4. have swapped their places so that their order is more logical.

Chapter on Illegal migration across the state borders of the Czech Republic newly includes a table on cases of illegal stay and controls made.

In other chapters only slight changes were made.

Group of foreigners, on whom records are available in information systems, differs one from another; it is quite difficult to create a complex picture about foreigners from such non-homogeneous sources. It is not a wilful complicating of orientation in information about foreigners; this situation is caused rather by the fact that individual information sources are modified for the needs of the relevant ministry, at which they were made, and the process of harmonization of data sources with regards to mutual comparability is only in the beginning and is in no case easy. To make it clearer about what foreigners individual tables provide information, we have prepared a summary table, which you can find on the page 5 (numbers of tables relate to this year’s issue of the publication).

Should there be any comments as to the contents and form of the publication, now is the right time to inform us about them so that we can take them into account while preparing another issue of the publication.

The publication is provided free to libraries, schools, research institutes and non-government non-profit organizations and institutions. The information it contains is also designed for members of Parliament and the Government of the Czech Republic as well as for central and local governments, journalists, and all citizens of the Czech Republic.