The population of the Czech Republic is shrinking: by the end of June 2025, 10.88 million people were living in the country – 27,200 fewer than at the start of the year. The reason is more deaths than births and emigration abroad.
The population of the Czech Republic decreased in the first half of 2025. By the end of June, 10.88 million people were living in the country, 27,200 fewer than at the start of the year. This is due to both the negative birth-to-death balance and emigration abroad.
According to data from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), 57,700 people died in the first six months – almost 2,000 more than in the same period last year. In contrast, only 37,400 children were born, a decrease of around 12 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Nearly half of all births occurred outside marriage, and most children were born to women aged 30 to 32.
The number of marriages also fell: 17,300 couples tied the knot, nine per cent fewer than in the previous year. Most grooms were aged between 30 and 34, while most brides were between 25 and 29. The number of divorces remained stable at 10,400, with most occurring after six years of marriage. Around 59 per cent of divorced couples had at least one minor child – at least 10,000 children were affected by divorces.
International migration also contributed to the population decline: while 49,600 people moved to the Czech Republic, 56,400 left the country. The majority were individuals whose residence permits expired at the end of March. Among migrants, Ukrainian citizens predominated.
