Data released by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) reveals that the number of foreign students studying at universities in the Czech Republic has been steadily rising. In 2022, foreign nationals accounted for 18% of all students, marking an increase of 3% annually over the past decade. The total number of students at public and private universities in the country reached 304,500, with 55,000 of them being foreigners.

The demographic developments in the country have contributed to a decrease in the overall number of university students, with approximately 76,000 fewer students compared to 2012. However, the influx of foreign students has helped offset this decline and contributed to the overall growth in student numbers.

In 2022, students from 166 different countries were studying at Czech universities. Slovaks constituted the largest group, accounting for 38% of the total foreign student population. Russians and Ukrainians were also among the largest national groups. The number of Ukrainian university students in the country reached 6,224, according to CSU data.

While the number of university students started to slightly increase in 2019 after a period of decline, the number of graduates has been consistently decreasing over the past decade. This trend raises concerns about the availability of skilled graduates in the labor market.

In terms of tertiary education attainment, the Czech Republic lags behind other European countries. Eurostat data shows that in 2021, only about 35% of Czechs aged 25 to 34 had completed higher education, compared to the EU average of two-fifths.

The majority of students in the Czech Republic, over 90%, attended one of the 26 public universities, while around 28,000 students were enrolled in one of the 32 private schools. Among the universities, Charles University in Prague had the highest number of students, with 51,000, followed by Masaryk University with 32,000 students and Palacky University in Olomouc with 23,000 students.

The increasing presence of foreign students at Czech universities not only contributes to the cultural diversity of campuses but also brings economic benefits to the country. It highlights the growing reputation of Czech universities and the country’s appeal as an international study destination.

Article by Prague Forum