Population change - 1st half of 2005

According to the results of the preliminary statistical balance the population of the Czech Republic stood at 10 235 365 as at 30 June 2005. In the first half of the year, the population rose by 14.8 thousand, whereas the population declined in the first half of 2004, namely by 4.5 thousand. Besides the higher net migration (18.4 thousand in the period of Jan-June 2005 compared to 0.8 thousand in the period of Jan-June 2004), also the lower natural decrease was registered in the first six months (the difference between the numbers of live births and deaths). Even in 2004, the population decrease by natural change was significantly lower than in the previous years. The cause of the diminution of the population decrease in the last two years were both the higher numbers of live births and lower numbers of deceased persons.

The number of live births 51.2 thousand in the first half of 2005 was by 2.3 thousand higher than in the first half of 2004, considering that the first quarter showed the number higher by 0.7 thousand. The moderately rising numbers of births since 1999 (recorded minimum) relate mainly to the fact that large population groups of women born in the 1970s are entering the age of the highest fertility intensity. However, the fertility of Czech women remains low from the long-term and international view. The mean age of women at first birth (26.3 in 2004) is despite the considerable increase since the 1990s still lower than in the countries of Western, Northern and Southern Europe, where stands at 28-29. In the first six months of 2005, there were 31.1 per cent of all live births born outside marriage. This proportion stood at 30.1 per cent in the first half of 2004.

The number of deaths in the first half of 2005 was by 0.5 thousand higher in comparison to the first half of 2004, and stood at 54.8 thousand. The number of infant deaths decreased, which in association with the higher number of live births resulted in lower infant mortality rate: there were 3.3 infant deaths per 1 000 live births in the period of January-June 2005; in the first half of 2004 it was 3.8. The infant mortality rate at the level of 3.7 per mille registered in 2004 was the lowest since the beginning of registration in 1819.

The number of marriages entered into during the period of January-June 2005 was by 0.7 thousand lower in comparison to the corresponding period of 2004, the nuptiality level thus remains low. Young generations continue postponing the enter into marriage towards older age. There were 16.4 thousand divorces in the first half of 2005. It was by 1.6 thousand less than in the same period a year ago. The development (decrease of the number of divorces) observed in the first quarter 2005 thus continued. Almost 50 per cent of marriages ultimately terminate by divorce in the Czech Republic, and this share classed the Czech Republic among European countries with the high level of divorce rate. The average duration of marriage up to its termination by divorce stood at slightly above 12 years.

The favourable trend of the abortion rate continued: the total number of abortions in the first half of 2005 was by 0.8 lower compared to the first half of 2004, and stood at 20.0 thousand. The legally induced abortions accounted for 13.4 thousand, spontaneous abortions for 6.0 thousand. Unlike the legally induced abortions, the numbers of spontaneous abortions are relatively stable for last several years. The drop in the total number of abortions was thus caused by the decline in the numbers of legally induced abortions, continuing since 1988.

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Note
Data source: Demographic statistics – results of processing statistical reports of Obyv series (notifications of the entry into marriage, of birth, of death, of divorce); the migration data source is the Alien Information System and the Central Population Register Record. Czech Statistical office receives data from Alien and Border Police Service and the Ministry of Interior. Abortion data source is the Institute of Health Information and Statistics.

All data for 2005 are preliminary.

Related publications:
4001-05 Population of the Czech Republic in January-June 2005
4001-04 Population of the Czech Republic in January-June 2004
4002-05 Life Tables for the CR and Regions 2004
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Contact: Miroslav Šimek, phone: (+420) 274052184, e-mail: miroslav.simek@csu.gov.cz