Population change - year 2005

The year 2005 saw the population rise by 30.5 thousand as at 31 Dec 2005, which resulted from the positive net migration amounting to 36.2 thousand. The number of live births stood at 102.2 thousand, which was the number by 4.5 thousand higher than in the previous year. The average number of children born to woman during her childbearing age remains low – less than 1.3. The number of divorces significantly changed in 2005 as well: there were registered by 1.8 thousand less divorces than in 2004.
According to the result of the preliminary statistical balance the population of the Czech Republic (CR) stood at 10 251 079 as at 31 Dec 2005. The population rose by 30.5 thousand in 2005 (9.1 thousand in 2004). The natural decrease was 5.7 thousand and the positive net migration 36.2 thousand. The comparison to the previous years, or to the period started by the year 2001, when the survey on demographic events of foreigners was extended by foreigners with long-term stay (before only foreigners with permanent stay in the CR were included) shows, that last year’s increases have been the highest ones so far. The number of inhabitants of the CR has been continuously rising for 3 years, but only due to immigration. Even though the number of live births rose, the population decrease by natural change was registered in 2005 as well but this decline has been the lowest since 1994, when the natural decrease for recorded for the first time. The general structure of foreigners by citizenship, who mainly contribute to the population rise of the Czech Republic, remains stable. The highest net migration was reached with Ukraine (12.5 thousand), Slovak Republic (8.2 thousand) and Vietnam (3.5 thousand) in 2005.

The number of live births stood at 102.2 thousand in 2005, which was the number by 4.5 thousand higher than in the previous year and the highest number since 1995 (incl.), when the number of live births fell under 100 thousand for the first time. In spite of increase of the number of live births the fertility of Czech women keeps very low level: the average number of children born to woman during her childbearing age is lower than 1.3. The preliminary figure for 2005 is 1.28 child, and for ensuring at least simple reproduction (it means stable population size), the level slightly above two children born to woman is needed. The trend of postponing of childbirth towards older age has been continuing – the mean age of women stood at 28.6 years and at 26.6 years for the first child in 2005. It meant the year-on-year increase by 0.3 year in both cases. The postponing of childbirths towards later age results in the increasing share of women having the first child in the age above 30 (almost thirty per cent at present) . The percentage of children born to unmarried women has been increasing as well. The number of children born outside marriage stood at 32.4 thousand in the last year, which represent 31.8 % of all live births (30.6 % in 2004).

There were registered 107.9 thousand deaths in 2005, i.e. by 761 more than in the previous year. However, the number of deceased persons depends on the age structure of given population, hence the mortality intensity is better to be characterised by the indicator of life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth rose significantly only for men in 2005 (by 0.4 year) and reached 72.9 year. It almost did not change for women and it stood at 79.1 year. The infant mortality (mortality of deaths under 1 year of age) kept the low level in last quarter of 2005 and its level for whole year 2005 amounting to 3.4 per mille was the lowest one since the beginning of its statistical registration, i.e. since 1819. The CR belongs to the leading European countries in this respect, whereas as far as total mortality intensity is concerned the CR is lacking behind. The above-average mortality due to diseases of the circulatory system and neoplasms are the main reasons.

The number of marriages entered into during the period of January-December 2005 was by 382 higher than in 2004. The number of marriages keeps oscillating around fifty thousands and the nuptiality level remains low: 31 % women and 37 % men will stay single provided that the present age-specific nuptiality rates remain unchanged. The mean age at first marriage was 30.7 years for men and 28.1 year for women in 2005. The number of divorces stood at 31.3 thousand in 2005. This number was by 1.8 thousand lower than in the previous year and even the lowest for last five years. The total divorce rate (the share of marriages ultimately terminated by divorce) drops on 47.3 % and it seems that the development of divorce-rate culminated in 2004 (49.3 %).

The favourable trend of abortion-rate continued in 2005. The total number of abortions dropped by 1.3 thousand in comparison to 2004 to 40.0 thousand. The number of legally induced abortions, which represent two thirds of all abortions, was lower by 1.1 thousand.

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Contact:

Terezie Kretschmerová, phone: (+420) 274054063, e-mail: terezie.kretschmerova@csu.gov.cz

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.

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.

All data for 2005 are preliminary.

Related publications:

4001-05 Population of the Czech Republic in 2005

4001-04 Population of the Czech Republic in 2004

4019-05 Demographic Yearbook of the CR 2004

4002-05 Life Tables for the CR and Regions 2004