Population change - 1. quarter of 2004

Preliminary results of the statistical balance indicate the population to have decreased by nearly 1.3 thousand inhabitants in the first quarter of 2004 , compared to 31 December 2003. The total population of the Czech Republic as of 31 March stood 10 210.2 thousand , of which females accounted for 5 236.7 thousand. The moderate population decrease was registered despite higher net migration and lower natural decrease as against the first quarter of 2003. The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths in the period of January–March 2004 was even by half lower than in the same period of previous year. However, the number of deceased persons in the first quarter of 2003 was influenced by the flu epidemic. The number of immigrants was by 2.9 thousand up on the number of emigrants. The population rise due to positive net migration was registered for eight quarters in a row. Most migrants are migrants with long-term stay, i.e. the stay based on visas over 90 days.

The number of marriages entered into in the period of January–March of the current year confirmed long-lasting trend of the drop in nuptiality level, or it deepened. The registered number of marriages in 2003 was the lowest since the World War 1. In the first quarter there were entered into even by 750 marriages less than in the same period a year ago. So the shift in entering first marriage towards older age and the rising number of consensual unions among young people still continued.

The year 2003 was the record-breaking year in case the number of divorces and divorce rate as well. The data for the first quarter of 2004 show further intense continuation of this development. There were recorded over 9 thousand divorces during the first three months. It was by 1.2 thousand up on the same period of 2003. However, the number of divorces is depended on the number of marriages entered into in preceding years. But the estimate of the total divorce rate (the proportion of marriages ending in divorce) indicates further rise in the level of divorce. According to this indicator the proportion will probably exceed the level of 50 per cent in 2004 (48 per cent in 2003).

Even though the number of live births in the first quarter of 2004 was by nearly one thousand higher than in the first quarter of 2003, the estimate of total fertility rate (the number of live births per female in her childbearing age) shows the rate to be the same as in 2003, namely 1.18. The slight rise in the annual numbers of live births (since the minimum in 1999) is mainly connected with the fact, that in the age of the highest fertility are females born in 1974-1976, (the largest generations). The share of extra-marital live births stood at 30.1 per cent in the first three months of 2004. It was 26.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2003 and 28.5 per cent for the whole year 2003.

The number of deceased persons stood at 27.7 thousand in the first quarter of 2004. In comparison to the same period of 2003 it was by 3.3 thousand less. The difference is mainly caused by the lower number of deaths in February and particularly in March 2003, when the flu epidemic reached a peak. The number of infant deaths and the infant mortality rate corresponded with the level of the first quarter a year ago. Preliminary data show infant mortality rate 3.6 per mille for the period January–March (the number of deaths within one year of age per 1 000 live births).

The favourable trend of abortions, including legally induced abortions, continued. There were registered 7.1 thousand legally induced abortions in the first quarter of 2004. The total number of all abortions was 10.5 thousand. It was by one thousand down on the first three months of 2003.

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Note :

Data source: Demographic statistics – results of processing statistical reports Obyv series (notification of the entry into marriage, of birth, of death, of divorce ad of migration); Institute of Health Information and Statistics (data on abortions); Alien and Border Police Service, or Ministry of Interior (data on foreigner with permanent residence and with residence based on 90 day+ visas and data on foreigners granted asylum).

All the data for the 1st quarter of 2004 are preliminary; they are gradually updated one month after another

Related publications:
4019-04 Population of the Czech Republic in January-March 2004 ( https://csu.gov.cz )
4019-03 Population of the Czech Republic in January-March 2003 ( https://csu.gov.cz )
4003-04 Age distribution of the Population of the Czech Republic 2003 ( https://csu.gov.cz )

Contacting person: Terezie Kretschmerová, phone: 274054063, e-mail: kretschmerova@gw.czso.cz