Demografie, Review for Population Research - No. 4/2025

Demografie, 67(4): 183–205
https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0370

Abstract
The transformation of family and reproductive behaviour in Slovakia has significantly impacted not only the population of the largest cities since the 1990s and has also gradually given rise to key changes in smaller towns and rural municipalities, regardless of their size or region. Notable changes include a significant decrease in the rates of marriage and motherhood, an increase in the divorce rate, a tendency to marry and become parents at older ages, and a growing proportion of children born out of wedlock. These trends represent the new model of family and reproductive behaviour in urban areas and their suburbs. However, a comprehensive analysis of these changes over time, with a primary focus on the differences between Slovakia's largest city and its suburbs, has not been extensively developed. Although these trends have been observed in both urban and suburban populations, can we assume that there are differences in the dynamics of these trends and the extent of their spread as well as contrasting behaviours between the largest city and its suburb. Or, given the advanced stage of transformation, are we witnessing convergence in the intensity and timing of family and reproductive behaviours, suggesting that urban and suburban populations are becoming more alike. We aim to address these questions through a detailed analysis of key indicators related to fertility, marriage, and divorce. This study examines the characteristic features of family and reproductive behaviour among the populations of the largest city in Slovakia and its suburban area from the mid-1990s to 2023. The results will help identify potential differences and their development over time.

Keywords
Bratislava city, hinterland, fertility, marriage, divorce rate, mean age at first marriage, mean age at birth of first child, share of extramarital births

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Demografie, 67(4): 211–229
https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0368

Abstract
This study analyses demographic diversity in the middle-income class in six Central and Eastern European countries – Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Estonia – in 2005 and 2021. Using EU-SILC microdata and the concept of economic stratification based on equivalised household disposable income, the analysis distinguishes lower, core, and upper middle-income groups. The main objectives are: (1) to examine how the size of middle-income classes has changed over time; (2) to assess differences in their demographic composition, particularly with regard to age, birth cohorts, and household type; and (3) to identify which cohorts experienced the greatest upward mobility on the income ladder. The results show that the middle class generally expanded, its income situation improved, and younger cohorts progressed the most. Households with children advanced economically, while single-person and elderly households remained vulnerable. Demographic shifts underline the evolving structure and economic relevance of the middle class in post-communist societies.

Keywords
middle class, demographic diversity, income stratification, Central and Eastern Europe, EU-SILC

Demografie, 67(4): 230–247
https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0369

Abstract
With increasing life expectancy and population ageing across Europe, attention is shifting from how long people live to how many of those years are spent in good health. Life without pain has become an important indicator of quality of life and functional health. The aim of this study is to compare pain-free life expectancy at ages 25, 50, and 65 across 23 European countries and to analyse the differences between men and women. Data were obtained from the European Health Interview Survey (2019) and the Human Mortality Database. Pain-free life expectancy was calculated using the Sullivan method, which combines life table data with the age-specific prevalence of pain. The results reveal significant differences between countries and sexes. The prevalence of pain in Europe reaches 22% among men and 31% among women. Women live longer but spend a larger proportion of their lives with pain. Among men aged 65, the proportion of life spent with pain ranges from 16% to 44% of total life expectancy, while among women the figure is 24% to 58%. Western European populations show higher pain-free life expectancy than those in Eastern Europe, particularly among men. These findings highlight persistent regional and gender disparities in health across Europe and provide valuable insights for developing targeted public health policies aimed at reducing the burden of pain throughout the life course.

Keywords
life expectancy, pain, health inequalities, Europe

Demografie, 67(4): 248–265
https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0378

Abstract
The article analyses the demographic development of the Czech Republic in 2024 and sets it in the context of the previous five years. The study focuses on the main demographic processes, namely fertility, mortality, nuptiality, the divorce rate, and migration. In 2024, the population of the Czech Republic grew as a result of the positive balance of international migration. The population continued to age. The number of live births was the lowest ever in the history of statistical surveys and remained lower than the number of deaths. Life expectancy at birth has increased for both sexes and is the highest it has ever been. The number of marriages was the lowest since 2013, while the number of divorces increased slightly year-on-year. The volume of international migration remained at a high level in 2024.

Keywords
demographic development, population, age structure, nuptiality, divorce, fertility, mortality, migration, Czech Republic