Population of the Czech Republic Declines Slightly in the First Quarter of 2026

The population of the Czech Republic declined by almost 20,000 people in the first quarter of 2026. The decrease was driven by both a birth deficit and a negative migration balance, while the number of births and marriages continued to fall.

The population of the Czech Republic declined slightly in the first quarter of 2026. According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), around 10.896 million people were living in the country at the end of March. This was 19,800 fewer than at the beginning of the year.

The population decline was the result of both natural population change and international migration. While the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by 12,600, the migration balance was also negative, with a deficit of 7,300 people.

“International migration ended the first quarter with a negative balance of 7,300 people. As in the first quarters of 2024 and 2025, this is mainly due to the high number of people whose temporary protection status expired at the end of March,” said Michaela Němečková from the Demographic Statistics Department of the Czech Statistical Office.

A total of 36,500 emigrations were recorded between January and March, 1,700 more than in the same period last year. At the same time, 29,200 people moved to the Czech Republic from abroad, an increase of 5,900 people. The number of male immigrants aged between 19 and 22 rose particularly sharply.

Ukrainian nationals accounted for the largest group in both immigration and emigration figures. However, their migration balance was negative, at minus 9,800 people. The highest positive migration balances were recorded by citizens of the Philippines and Slovakia, with around 900 people each.

The number of births also continued to decline. In the first quarter, 17,500 children were born – 1,200, or six per cent, fewer than in the same period last year. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which the number of births has fallen.

The number of deaths stood at 30,100 in the first quarter, around 900, or three per cent, lower than a year earlier.

The number of marriages also declined. In the first three months of the year, 3,100 marriages were registered, three per cent fewer than in the same period last year. This marks the fourth consecutive year in which the number of marriages has fallen. Around two-thirds of couples married for the first time, while approximately one-third had previously been married.