The Czech Republic became a democracy through the peaceful “velvet revolution” in 1989. Since then, the country has had a successful transition from communist planning economy to market economy.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Prague
- Ethnic groups: Czechs 64.3%, Moravians 5%, Slovakians 1.4%, others1.8%, unspecified 27.5% (2011)
- Language: Czech (official) 95.4%, Slovak 1.6%, other 3% (2011)
- Religion: Catholics 10.4%, Protestants 1.1%, second and unspecified 54%, none 34.5% (2011)
- Population: 10 534 000
- Control Form: Republic
- Area: 78 870 km2
- Currency: Czech koruna
- GNP per capita: 34 749 PPP $
- National Day: October 28th
Czech Republic population
The number of residents in the Czech Republic is 10 702 498 (2020). The increase in population from 2019 to 2020 was 0.06 percent. The birth and death rates are 8.9 and 10.9 per 1000 residents respectively (2020). The birth rate is 1.48 children per woman. Life expectancy at birth is 82.4 years for women and 76.3 years for men (2020).
The population is relatively uniform. 95 percent are Czechs and 1.4 percent are Slovakians. There are small minorities of Germans, Poles, Hungarians and Roma.
The largest cities are (number of residents in 2019): the capital Prague (1,280,508), Brno (380,681), Ostrava (289,128), Plzeň (172,441) and Olomouc (100,523). 74.1 percent of the population lives in urban areas.
Population of Czech Republic by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 10,708,870 | 0.190% | 138.6455 | 86 |
| 2019 | 10,689,098 | 0.220% | 138.3896 | 86 |
| 2018 | 10,665,566 | 0.230% | 138.0849 | 85 |
| 2017 | 10,640,923 | 0.210% | 137.7659 | 85 |
| 2016 | 10,618,746 | 0.160% | 137.4787 | 84 |
| 2015 | 10,601,286 | 0.120% | 137.2527 | 84 |
| 2010 | 10,536,407 | 0.540% | 136.4127 | 80 |
| 2005 | 10,258,056 | -0.060% | 132.8090 | 78 |
| 2000 | 10,289,262 | -0.130% | 133.2130 | 75 |
| 1995 | 10,358,082 | 0.030% | 134.1040 | 69 |
| 1990 | 10,340,764 | 0.020% | 133.8798 | 66 |
| 1985 | 10,331,032 | -0.030% | 133.7538 | 59 |
| 1980 | 10,348,972 | 0.550% | 133.9861 | 57 |
| 1975 | 10,069,844 | 0.510% | 130.3723 | 56 |
| 1970 | 9,817,558 | 0.010% | 127.1060 | 53 |
| 1965 | 9,811,266 | 0.460% | 127.0246 | 48 |
| 1960 | 9,590,063 | 0.480% | 124.1607 | 46 |
| 1955 | 9,361,661 | 1.010% | 121.2037 | 39 |
| 1950 | 8,902,508 | 0.000% | 115.2592 | 38 |
Major Cities in Czech Republic by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Prague | 1,165,470 |
| 2 | Brno | 369,448 |
| 3 | Ostrava | 312,977 |
| 4 | Pilsen | 164,069 |
| 5 | Olomouc | 101,157 |
| 6 | Liberec | 97,659 |
| 7 | Ceske Budejovice | 95,942 |
| 8 | Hradec Kralove | 95,084 |
| 9 | Usti nad Labem | 93,994 |
| 10 | Pardubice | 88,630 |
| 11 | Havirov | 82,657 |
| 12 | Zlin | 78,648 |
| 13 | Kladno | 69,892 |
| 14 | Most | 67,794 |
| 15 | Karvina | 63,566 |
| 16 | Opava | 60,141 |
| 17 | Frydek-Mistek | 59,305 |
| 18 | Decin | 51,947 |
| 19 | Karlovy Vary | 51,696 |
| 20 | Teplice | 51,112 |
| 21 | Chomutov | 50,140 |
| 22 | Jihlava | 49,989 |
| 23 | Prostejov | 47,263 |
| 24 | Prerov | 47,200 |
| 25 | Jablonec nad Nisou | 44,767 |
| 26 | Mlada Boleslav | 43,573 |
| 27 | Ceska Lipa | 38,730 |
| 28 | Trebic | 38,674 |
| 29 | Trinec | 38,304 |
| 30 | Tabor | 36,153 |
| 31 | Znojmo | 35,169 |
| 32 | Pribram | 35,140 |
| 33 | Orlova | 34,171 |
| 34 | Cheb | 33,131 |
| 35 | Modrany | 31,790 |
| 36 | Liben | 31,645 |
| 37 | Trutnov | 31,287 |
| 38 | Pisek | 29,663 |
| 39 | Kolin | 29,579 |
| 40 | Kromeriz | 29,015 |
| 41 | Sumperk | 28,657 |
| 42 | Vsetin | 28,464 |
| 43 | Valasske Mezirici | 27,370 |
| 44 | Litvinov | 26,911 |
| 45 | Novy Jicin | 26,436 |
| 46 | Uherske Hradiste | 26,310 |
| 47 | Hodonin | 26,234 |
| 48 | Breclav | 25,678 |
| 49 | Cesky Tesin | 25,639 |
| 50 | Krnov | 25,436 |
| 51 | Sokolov | 24,790 |
| 52 | Litomerice | 24,378 |
| 53 | Havlickuv Brod | 24,245 |
| 54 | Zgar nad Sazavou | 23,919 |
| 55 | Zgar nad Sazavou Druhy | 23,885 |
| 56 | Chrudim | 23,519 |
| 57 | Strakonice | 23,434 |
| 58 | Koprivnice | 23,313 |
| 59 | Klatovy | 22,991 |
| 60 | Bohumin | 22,964 |
| 61 | Stary Bohumin | 22,923 |
| 62 | Jindrichuv Hradec | 22,701 |
| 63 | Vyskov | 22,154 |
| 64 | Cerny Most | 21,389 |
| 65 | Kutna Hora | 21,169 |
| 66 | Nachod | 21,152 |
| 67 | Jirkov | 20,945 |
| 68 | Blansko | 20,273 |
| 69 | Zatec | 19,496 |
| 70 | Hranice | 19,471 |
| 71 | Melnik | 19,120 |
| 72 | Louny | 19,036 |
| 73 | Otrokovice | 18,746 |
| 74 | Kadan | 18,648 |
| 75 | Branik | 18,629 |
| 76 | Bruntal | 17,575 |
| 77 | Beroun | 17,439 |
| 78 | Uhersky Brod | 17,397 |
| 79 | Svitavy | 17,316 |
| 80 | Kralupy nad Vltavou | 17,262 |
| 81 | Roznov pod Radhostem | 17,127 |
| 82 | Ostrov | 17,095 |
| 83 | Ceska Trebova | 16,544 |
| 84 | Pelhrimov | 16,430 |
| 85 | Rakovnik | 16,362 |
| 86 | Neratovice | 16,316 |
| 87 | Jicin | 16,217 |
| 88 | Benesov | 16,146 |
| 89 | Dvur Kralove nad Labem | 16,039 |
| 90 | Varnsdorf | 15,784 |
| 91 | Letnany | 15,751 |
| 92 | Bilina | 15,627 |
| 93 | Bilina Kyselka | 15,586 |
| 94 | Prosek | 15,470 |
| 95 | Brandys nad Labem-Stara Boleslav | 15,287 |
| 96 | Usti nad Orlici | 15,040 |
| 97 | Slany | 14,959 |
| 98 | Klasterec nad Ohri | 14,929 |
| 99 | Turnov | 14,396 |
| 100 | Chodov | 14,343 |
| 101 | Nymburk | 14,262 |
| 102 | Zabreh | 14,249 |
| 103 | Horni Pocernice | 14,185 |
| 104 | Marianske Lazne | 14,166 |
| 105 | Hlucin | 14,117 |
| 106 | Cesky Krumlov | 14,035 |
| 107 | Strizkov | 13,958 |
| 108 | Sternberk | 13,856 |
| 109 | Rokycany | 13,715 |
| 110 | Krupka | 13,576 |
| 111 | Podebrady | 13,017 |
| 112 | Roudnice nad Labem | 12,973 |
| 113 | Vrchlabi | 12,787 |
| 114 | As | 12,755 |
| 115 | Jaromer | 12,720 |
| 116 | Tachov | 12,529 |
| 117 | Jesenik | 12,346 |
| 118 | Unicov | 12,274 |
| 119 | Holesov | 12,273 |
| 120 | Vysoke Myto | 12,182 |
| 121 | Vlasim | 12,114 |
| 122 | Kyjov | 12,080 |
| 123 | Novy Bor | 12,060 |
| 124 | Veseli nad Moravou | 11,970 |
| 125 | Karlin | 11,860 |
| 126 | Prachatice | 11,692 |
| 127 | Velke Mezirici | 11,642 |
| 128 | Rychnov nad Kneznou | 11,584 |
| 129 | Vysocany | 11,535 |
| 130 | Susice | 11,372 |
| 131 | Moravska Trebova | 11,303 |
| 132 | Frenstat pod Radhostem | 11,223 |
| 133 | Ricany | 11,218 |
| 134 | Boskovice | 11,010 |
| 135 | Rumburk | 10,990 |
| 136 | Domazlice | 10,833 |
| 137 | Humpolec | 10,803 |
| 138 | Nove Mesto na Morave | 10,426 |
| 139 | Hlinsko | 10,300 |
| 140 | Studenka | 10,230 |
| 141 | Litomysl | 10,035 |
| 142 | Stare Mesto | 10,016 |
| 143 | Nove Mesto nad Metuji | 10,015 |
| 144 | Celakovice | 10,014 |
| 145 | Litovel | 9,951 |
| 146 | Caslav | 9,914 |
| 147 | Chotebor | 9,738 |
| 148 | Lanskroun | 9,736 |
| 149 | Frydlant nad Ostravici | 9,713 |
| 150 | Mohelnice | 9,631 |
| 151 | Ivancice | 9,243 |
| 152 | Milevsko | 9,232 |
| 153 | Kurim | 9,172 |
| 154 | Nova Paka | 9,108 |
| 155 | Lovosice | 9,085 |
| 156 | Steti | 9,054 |
| 157 | Policka | 9,018 |
| 158 | Rymarov | 8,958 |
| 159 | Semily | 8,929 |
| 160 | Chocen | 8,897 |
| 161 | Bystrice nad Pernstejnem | 8,885 |
| 162 | Duchcov | 8,826 |
| 163 | Horice | 8,788 |
| 164 | Trebon | 8,751 |
| 165 | Pribor | 8,678 |
| 166 | Bystrice pod Hostynem | 8,616 |
| 167 | Prelouc | 8,475 |
| 168 | Nejdek | 8,454 |
| 169 | Cerveny Kostelec | 8,330 |
| 170 | Lipnik nad Becvou | 8,258 |
| 171 | Mnichovo Hradiste | 8,257 |
| 172 | Tyn nad Vltavou | 8,185 |
| 173 | Broumov | 8,143 |
| 174 | Tisnov | 8,116 |
| 175 | Lysa nad Labem | 8,083 |
| 176 | Vimperk | 7,932 |
| 177 | Moravske Budejovice | 7,860 |
| 178 | Dacice | 7,847 |
| 179 | Dobris | 7,815 |
| 180 | Sedlcany | 7,725 |
| 181 | Stribro | 7,578 |
| 182 | Napajedla | 7,551 |
| 183 | Mikulov | 7,497 |
| 184 | Dubi | 7,480 |
| 185 | Hulin | 7,460 |
| 186 | Bilovec | 7,375 |
| 187 | Frydlant | 7,360 |
| 188 | Sezimovo Usti | 7,309 |
| 189 | Odry | 7,284 |
| 190 | Hradek nad Nisou | 7,216 |
| 191 | Sobeslav | 7,197 |
| 192 | Kaplice | 7,084 |
| 193 | Novy Bydzov | 7,049 |
| 194 | Kraslice | 7,048 |
| 195 | Slapanice | 6,998 |
| 196 | Dobruska | 6,974 |
| 197 | Slavicin | 6,968 |
| 198 | Svetla nad Sazavou | 6,926 |
| 199 | Nyrany | 6,831 |
| 200 | Tanvald | 6,810 |
| 201 | Petrvald | 6,743 |
| 202 | Benatky nad Jizerou | 6,707 |
| 203 | Letovice | 6,688 |
| 204 | Kravare | 6,676 |
| 205 | Rychvald | 6,660 |
| 206 | Stare Mesto | 6,631 |
| 207 | Blatna | 6,624 |
| 208 | Mimon | 6,581 |
| 209 | Vodnany | 6,576 |
| 210 | Dubnany | 6,538 |
| 211 | Cesky Brod | 6,498 |
| 212 | Veseli nad Luznici | 6,423 |
| 213 | Hronov | 6,405 |
| 214 | Zelezny Brod | 6,331 |
| 215 | Horovice | 6,320 |
| 216 | Kojetin | 6,286 |
| 217 | Bucovice | 6,275 |
| 218 | Vratimov | 6,267 |
| 219 | Prestice | 6,242 |
| 220 | Mala Strana | 6,239 |
| 221 | Tyniste nad Orlici | 6,231 |
| 222 | Holice | 6,108 |
| 223 | Podborany | 6,101 |
| 224 | Vitkov | 6,091 |
| 225 | Letohrad | 6,084 |
| 226 | Kostelec nad Orlici | 6,073 |
| 227 | Fulnek | 5,996 |
| 228 | Zamberk | 5,971 |
| 229 | Vrbno pod Pradedem | 5,961 |
| 230 | Chrastava | 5,940 |
| 231 | Moravsky Krumlov | 5,939 |
| 232 | Ledec nad Sazavou | 5,937 |
| 233 | Trest | 5,868 |
| 234 | Upice | 5,848 |
| 235 | Lomnice nad Popelkou | 5,846 |
| 236 | Roztoky | 5,845 |
| 237 | Slavkov u Brna | 5,825 |
| 238 | Hustopece | 5,802 |
| 239 | Straznice | 5,789 |
| 240 | Telc | 5,772 |
| 241 | Horni Slavkov | 5,707 |
| 242 | Kraluv Dvur | 5,694 |
| 243 | Jablunkov | 5,671 |
| 244 | Dobrany | 5,668 |
| 245 | Jilemnice | 5,666 |
| 246 | Bechyne | 5,644 |
| 247 | Horazgovice | 5,616 |
| 248 | Sluknov | 5,590 |
| 249 | Trebechovice pod Orebem | 5,500 |
| 250 | Luhacovice | 5,443 |
| 251 | Stochov | 5,427 |
| 252 | Ceska Kamenice | 5,364 |
| 253 | Senov | 5,351 |
| 254 | Milovice | 5,350 |
| 255 | Kbely | 5,346 |
| 256 | Plana | 5,339 |
| 257 | Skutec | 5,304 |
| 258 | Zubri | 5,298 |
| 259 | Ceska Skalice | 5,291 |
| 260 | Frantiskovy Lazne | 5,244 |
| 261 | Habartov | 5,226 |
| 262 | Jilove | 5,196 |
| 263 | Chlumec nad Cidlinou | 5,181 |
| 264 | Rosice | 5,176 |
| 265 | Hradec nad Moravici | 5,144 |
| 266 | Valasske Klobouky | 5,090 |
| 267 | Namest nad Oslavou | 5,081 |
| 268 | Chropyne | 5,061 |
| 269 | Tynec nad Sazavou | 5,054 |
| 270 | Kunovice | 5,037 |
| 271 | Pacov | 5,034 |
| 272 | Kynsperk nad Ohri | 4,974 |
| 273 | Nove Straseci | 4,971 |
| 274 | Bystrice | 4,965 |
| 275 | Nyrsko | 4,959 |
| 276 | Doksy | 4,914 |
| 277 | Protivin | 4,910 |
| 278 | Rousinov | 4,905 |
| 279 | Polna | 4,895 |
Foreign workers in the Czech Republic
In 2019, there were 564,000 foreign nationals residing in the Czech Republic. More than half of these were from the following EU countries: Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. From outside the EU, the largest groups came from Ukraine, Russia and Vietnam.
Language
The official language is Czech, which is the mother tongue for 95.4 percent of the population. Linguistic minorities are Slovak – and Roman – speaking. 1.6 percent of the population uses Slovak as their mother tongue. The majority of the German-speaking population was transferred to Germany towards the end of and after World War II.