Up to 300,000 new residents could be living in Prague by 2050. The capital therefore faces major challenges, as its infrastructure is already reaching its limits in some areas.
While the population in many regions of the Czech Republic is shrinking, Prague is facing a different challenge: the city is growing – and rapidly. A new study by the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) forecasts an increase of up to 300,000 inhabitants by 2050. The analysis provides, for the first time, precise data and maps showing city planners where additional public facilities will be necessary, ensuring that schools, medical practices, and care homes remain accessible for everyone in the future.
“A modern city should develop according to its real needs – and these need to be supported by reliable data,” says Ondřej Boháč, Director of the IPR. “The forecast shows us where we need new schools, surgeries, or care homes. Prague now holds a tool in its hands that allows intelligent and sustainable growth.”
Currently, around 1.38 million people live in Prague. By 2050, this figure could rise to 1.68 million – or even 1.9 million in a strong-growth scenario. With a growing population, the demands on schools and healthcare facilities will also increase, as will the need for libraries, community centres, playgrounds, and other infrastructure services.
Although provision is already considered good in many areas – for example, parks, children’s playgrounds, and grocery shops – additional capacity will be required, particularly in fast-growing neighbourhoods.
“Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so it’s no wonder it is growing dynamically,” says Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development. “This brings opportunities but also major challenges. We must turn unused sites into vibrant city districts, make public spaces more liveable, and above all, create more municipal housing to improve the housing situation.”
However, the study also highlights clear shortcomings: some capacities are already insufficient today. Without timely expansion, these shortages are likely to worsen considerably by 2050.
The pressure is particularly strong in the education sector. “We are constantly increasing school capacity and looking for new sites, also in cooperation with city districts. Nevertheless, we are currently unable to fully meet the rising demand – partly due to the influx of many children from Central Bohemia and Ukraine,” explains Antonín Klecanda, Prague’s City Councillor for Education.
Demographic change is adding to the challenge. According to the forecast, the number of people aged over 80 will rise by 79 per cent by 2050. This will lead to a significantly higher demand for care home places, home nursing services, and doctors’ surgeries for seniors.
“The trend has been clear for years: Prague is both growing and ageing,” stresses Alexandra Udženija, Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs and Health. “Even today, there is a shortage of care places and outpatient social services. Expansion is slow because social benefits are underfunded at the state level and construction projects such as new care homes often take more than eight years to complete.”
The full study is publicly available. Through the portal uap.iprpraha.cz/pov, interactive maps and forecasts for schools, care homes, healthcare, and cultural centres can be accessed down to the district and neighbourhood level.
