Population change - 1. quarter of 2008

In the first quarter of 2008 the population of Czech Republic increased by 22.0 thousands, while most of the increase was driven by external migration with balance of 20.0 thousands. Due to increasing fertility and low mortality level, the population rose also by natural increase of 2.0 thousands. The total number of inhabitants thus exceeded 10.4 millions.
According to the results of the preliminary statistical balance the population of the Czech Republic stood at 10,403.1 thousands as at 31 March 2008. The surplus of live births over deaths was 2,030, the increase by migration was 20.0 thousands. As compared to 31 December 2007 the population increased by 22.0 thousands.

The number of live births in January to March 2008 was 28.5 thousands, by 1.5 thousands more than in the comparable period of previous year. Total fertility rate adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects was 1.48. The level of fertility is thus continuing to increase. The mean age of mothers further increased by 0.1 years to 29.2 years in total and to 27.2 years at first birth. The highest numbers of live births are born to women from cohort 1977, (1979 for first births and 1976 for second births). Outside marriage 36.0% of live births was born (in 2007 the proportion was 34.5%); among first births the figure was 46.1%. In January to March, there was stated information about father for 71% of non-marital live births, while for 29% of them, no information about father was stated; among mothers with primary education, even 44% of non-marital children have no statement about father in birth certificate.

There were registered 26.5 thousands deaths in first three months of 2008, by 1.1 thousands less than in January to March 2007. The main causes of death remain the diseases of the circulatory system, which account for 52% of deaths, and neoplasms (25%). The number of infant deaths was 85. Concerning the place of death, 61% of deaths happened at hospitals, 20% at home, 9% in other medical institution, 5% at social welfare facility (retirement home) and 2% on the street (public place).

The number of marriages was by 660 lower than in the first quarter of 2007 and it reached the number 4.9 thousands. However, the first quarter is the least popular period for weddings, when only about 10% of marriages are being concluded. The maximum of marriages was recorded among women born in 1978 and 1979.

The number of divorces stood at 7.7 thousands in first trimester of 2008, which is almost the same number as in the previous year. In 81% of cases the spouses were divorcing for the first time. From the total number, 4.6 thousands of divorces involved dependent children, whose total number was 6,751.

The number of abortions of 10.8 thousands was comparable to that in the first quarter of 2007. One third of abortions was spontaneous (3.7 ths.), other 6.8 artificial, from which 17% for medical reasons. The number of terminated ectopic pregnancies was 370.

According to the data from the Central Population Register Record of the Ministry of Interior (ISEO) the registered external migration added 20.0 thousands inhabitants to the population of the Czech Republic. While the number of immigrants (21.1) corresponds to that of the previous year, the registered number of emigrants was only 1.1 ths. (532 Czech citizens and 614 foreigners), i.e. by 3 thousands less than in the first quarter of 2007. The highest net migration was reached traditionally with citizens of Ukraine (5.5 ths.), Vietnam (4.4 ths.) and Slovakia (2.4 ths.).

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Notes:
Contact person: Kryštof Zeman, PhD, phone: (+420)274054067, e-mail: krystof.zeman@csu.gov.cz
Data sources: Demographic statistics – results of processing statistical reports of Obyv series (notifications of the entry into marriage, of birth, of death, of divorce).
Migration data – Central Population Register Record (Ministry of Interior).
Abortions – Institute of Health Information and Statistics.
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 2005, in accordance with amendment No. 326/1999 Coll., the figures include citizens of the European Union with temporary stay on the territory of the Czech Republic, and citizens of other countries with long-term stay. The data contain also information on events (marriages, births and deaths) of permanent residents of the Czech Republic that occurred abroad.
All results for 2008 are preliminary.
Related publications: 4001-08 Population of the Czech Republic in 2008
4001-07 Population of the Czech Republic in 2007