Recent data from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) reveals a historic increase in the number of foreigners residing in the Czech Republic, marking a noteworthy demographic shift. The population of the country surged to 10.88 million people during the first nine months of the current year, primarily attributed to a significant rise in migration.

By the end of the previous year, the data indicates that over 1.1 million foreigners were living in the Czech Republic, constituting 10.3% of the total population. This increase underscores the changing demographic landscape of the country.

Among the foreign residents, one-third held permanent residence status, while the rest possessed temporary residence permits, with a mere 0.2% categorized as asylum seekers. Notably, the number of foreigners with temporary residency experienced a remarkable 132% increase in 2022, largely linked to the Russian war against Ukraine.

Ukraine emerged as the predominant source of foreign residents, with over 636,000 individuals, predominantly war refugees residing on temporary permits. This influx played a pivotal role in the overall surge of the foreign population in 2022, contributing to a total of 455,000 new foreign residents.

The majority of Ukrainian foreigners were women, with a significant representation of children and a minimal presence of retirement-age individuals. Approximately one-fifth of the foreign population in the Czech Republic comprised citizens of EU countries.

Beyond Ukrainians, other notable foreign groups included citizens of Slovakia (117,000), Vietnam (66,000), and Russia (43,000). The urban centers of Prague (343,000) and the Central Bohemian Region (159,000) emerged as the primary locations of foreign residency in the country.

This unprecedented surge in foreign residents signifies the dynamic and evolving multicultural landscape of the Czech Republic, highlighting the need for comprehensive policies and societal integration to accommodate and support the diverse communities contributing to the nation’s growth.

Article by Prague Forum