Population change - year 2024

The population growth of 8.9 thousand raised the population of the Czech Republic to 10,909,500 as of 31 December 2024. This was the highest number since the end of World War II. By natural change, the population of the Czech Republic decreased for the sixth year in a row. The natural decrease of 27.9 thousand was similar to that in 2021 when the record number of deaths was registered. However, the large natural decrease in 2024 was primarily driven by a low number of births.

Figure Population change in 2023 and 2024

The annual total number of live births of 84.3 thousand was down by 6.8 thousand, or 8% year-on-year. "The number of live births in 2024 fell significantly for the third year in a row. The annual total of 84,311 represents a new historical low, surpassing the previous figure of 89,471 from 1999," says Michaela Němečková from the Demographic Statistics Unit of the CZSO. Both the number of first-born children (by 9%) and the number of second-born children (by 7%) were lower year-on-year, as was the number of children born in the third or higher order (by 5%). According to preliminary data, there were 1.37 children per woman and the total fertility rate was 0.1 lower than in 2023. A total of 47.0% of children were born outside marriage, 0.1 p.p. less than a year before.

In 2024, a total of 112.2 thousand inhabitants of the Czech Republic died, of which 57.7 thousand were men and 54.5 thousand were women. This was 0.6 thousand (1%) less compared to 2023. The highest number of deaths was recorded in January and December, the lowest in June. Within the five-year age groups, the largest groups of deceased were those aged 80–84 years (19.2 thousand) and 75–79 years (19.0 thousand). According to preliminary estimates, the decline in deaths was associated with a further increase in life expectancy for both men and women (by about a quarter of a year).

A total of 44.5 thousand couples entered into marriage, which was 3.8 thousand, or 8%, fewer than in 2023. Year-on-year, there were fewer brides and grooms in all five-year age groups from 25 to 50. The largest number of fiancés (2.5 thousand brides as well as grooms) belonged to the generation born in 1993. A total of 20.8 thousand marriages ended in divorce, up by 1.3 thousand (7%) year-on-year. The total divorce rate was also slightly higher (40% compared to 37% in 2023). Divorces were most frequent after 4 to 7 years of marriage. A total of 58% of divorced couples had minor children. A total of 19.3 thousand minor children were affected by divorce.

The Czech Republic has gained 36.8 thousand inhabitants through international migration. Compared to 2023, this was significantly less (by 57.8 thousand). The number of immigrants from abroad to the Czech Republic decreased year-on-year (by 19.4 thousand) to 121.8 thousand, but still remained significantly higher compared to the years before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Almost 85.0 thousand emigrants abroad were registered (38.4 thousand more year-on-year). About three-quarters of the emigrants were persons with terminated temporary protection.