In a remarkable demographic shift, the number of foreign nationals legally residing in the Czech Republic witnessed a substantial increase, surging by 455,305 individuals to reach a total of 1.12 million people by the end of last year. This influx now accounts for a significant tenth of the country’s population, marking a notable demographic transformation, according to data released by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) today.

The primary contributors to this surge were refugees escaping the conflict-ridden Ukraine, with Ukrainians constituting the largest group among foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, surpassing 630,000 individuals. They were followed by citizens from Slovakia and Vietnam.

Jarmila Maresova, a migration expert from the Czech Statistical Office, highlighted the historical context, stating, “Citizens of Ukraine began coming here in the early 1990s, mainly for work, but their numbers were low at that time.” The Ukrainian population has steadily increased over the years, reaching 636,000 registered individuals by the end of 2022, comprising almost 60% of the total number of foreigners in the country.

Notably, the majority of foreign nationals have settled in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, with around 345,300 and 159,000 individuals, respectively, reported by CSU in the preceding year.

CSU chairman Marek Rojicek attributed last year’s surge to foreign nationals holding temporary residence, revealing that by December’s end, 70% of foreign residents possessed temporary residence permits, while about 30% held permanent residence permits. Additionally, the statistics revealed that 2,456 foreign citizens sought asylum in the Czech Republic.

A significant shift in the gender composition was also observed, with an increased representation of women among foreigners. The arrival of mothers with children from Ukraine contributed to a noteworthy rise, with women constituting 51.1% of the foreign population, a stark contrast to the 2021 figure of 43.5%.

This data underscores the evolving demographic landscape of the Czech Republic, shaped by geopolitical events and a changing global landscape.

Article by Prague Forum