Wednesday, April 16, marks the first official summer day of the year in the Czech Republic, defined by temperatures exceeding 25°C. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) confirmed the seasonal milestone and noted that temperatures are expected to continue rising throughout the afternoon. Measurements from meteorological stations in the Moravian-Silesian, South Moravian, and Pilsen regions confirmed the temperature threshold had been reached. Compared to last year, summer arrived later. In 2023, the first summer day fell on April 1, followed by the first tropical day—a day with temperatures above 30°C—on April 7. According to climatologist Pavel Zahradníček from the Institute for Global Change Research (CzechGlobe), tropical days in April are relatively rare. “On average, April sees a tropical day every two years, although lower elevations experience them more frequently,” he explained. More Summer Days Bring Environmental Risks While warmer days might seem like a welcome change, they come with serious downsides. “Higher temperatures lead to faster soil drying, lower milk yields in cattle, and greater wildfire risk, especially when combined with strong winds and dry soil conditions,” said Zahradníček. The climatologist noted that the fire-risk period has increased by 20 to 25 days annually, starting earlier in the year than before....
Moravská Třebová has won the title of Historic City of the Year 2024, a reward for using money from the Ministry of Culture’s programme for the restoration of monuments. The award, which comes with a one-million-crown cheque, honors those towns and cities that have excelled in preserving and renewing their cultural and architectural heritage. The “Historic Town of the Year” competition is organized annually by the Association of Historic Settlements in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia along with the Ministry of Regional Development. Moravska Trebova, in the Svitavy district, is a town of almost 10,000 inhabitants. The town has made its Renaissance town hall accessible and created a new information system. At the same time, it acquired the Renaissance church from the local parish, which it is trying to repair and make accessible. The Ministry for Regional Development’s award, which carries a prize of CZK 100,000, went to Nove Mesto nad Metuji in the Hradec Kralove Region and Prague 1 for its outstanding implementation of the programme for the rehabilitation of heritage reserves. A special award was given to Horni Slavkov in the Karlovy Vary Region for the restoration of St. George’s Church, and the town of Lipnik nad Becvou in...
At first glance, it sounds like progress paused. This year’s Equal Pay Day in the Czech Republic fell on March 25, marking the 65th day into the year — a symbolic reminder of how much longer women must work to earn what men made in 2024 alone. That figure translates into an 18% gender pay gap, one of the widest in the European Union. The issue took center stage last month at the Equal Pay Day 2025 Conference in Prague, hosted by Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR), an organization that has long been at the forefront of gender equality advocacy. The event gathered corporate leaders, policymakers, and researchers to confront a familiar but stubborn reality: Czech women continue to earn less — even when qualifications and roles are the same. The next event will be on 26. and 27. March, 2026. Here is the link to buy tickets. A Reversal in Progress The pay gap had narrowed in previous years, dipping to 15% in 2021, thanks in part to government interventions like minimum wage hikes and targeted raises in female-dominated fields such as education and healthcare. But those improvements, experts warn, were short-lived — temporary fixes rather than structural...
The Czech Republic is set to experience multiple waves of Saharan dust, which will remain suspended in the atmosphere until Easter. Meteorologists warn that this dust intrusion could worsen air quality, trigger respiratory problems, and slightly reduce the expected warm temperatures across the country. The dust, carried from the Sahara Desert, can cause a visible haze, reduce sky clarity, and lead to so-called “blood rain” — a phenomenon where rainfall carries dust particles, leaving dirty stains on cars, windows, and other surfaces. At higher concentrations, these fine particles may settle on the ground and, when combined with pollen, significantly worsen symptoms for people with asthma or allergies. According to meteorologists at Geosphere Austria, the first major dust wave is expected to hit on Tuesday, followed by another on Thursday. The deteriorated air conditions are likely to continue throughout the Easter holidays. In addition to the health concerns, sunlight will be partly blocked, potentially reducing maximum daytime temperatures by a few degrees. This atmospheric event is part of a recurring natural phenomenon that occurs during storms or low-pressure systems over North Africa. Every year, the NASA Earth Observatory reports that winds blow up to 200 million tons of dust from the...
With birth rates falling faster than expected and an ageing population on the rise, Czechia faces urgent decisions to secure the future of its economy and social welfare system. Czechia is experiencing a significant and sustained decline in its birth rate, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the country’s economy, social services, and population structure. After a modest increase in births during 2021, the following year saw a notable drop of around 12,000 births, pushing the total below the 100,000 mark. The average number of children per woman fell to 1.66, erasing several years of gradual improvement. As reported by Echo24, the trend continued into 2023, with fewer than 92,000 births recorded — a decline of 8 percent from the previous year. Preliminary data for 2024 suggests the fertility rate has fallen further to around 1.37 children per woman. These figures not only reflect a persistent decline but also surpass even the most cautious forecasts. Projections that anticipated such numbers for the 2030s have arrived much earlier than expected. If the pattern holds, the number of annual births could fall to approximately 76,000 by the end of the decade. This demographic shift is being experienced in multiple European nations, perhaps most...
The Czech national pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, has officially opened to the public, showcasing a bold fusion of architecture, glassmaking tradition, and contemporary Czech art. Designed by Apropos Architects, a Prague-based studio, the four-story structure will welcome visitors on the artificial island of Yumeshima until October 13. The opening ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Czech Ambassador to Japan Martin Klučar, and Expo Commissioner General Ondřej Soška. Located along the coastal promenade, the Czech pavilion stands out with its striking spiral walkway, which wraps around the building and leads visitors to the rooftop. The structure is built primarily from wood and glass, a deliberate reference to the Czech Republic’s centuries-old glassmaking heritage. The exterior spiral, stretching 260 meters, is also glass-covered, transforming the pavilion into a dynamic visual space that shifts with the natural light. Inside, visitors are greeted by installations from leading Czech artists, including Rony Plesl, Jakub Matuška, and multimedia collective Lunchmeat Studio. At the heart of the pavilion is an auditorium set to host cultural performances, discussions, and lectures throughout the exhibition. A restaurant section will serve traditional Czech cuisine along with Pilsner beer, further immersing guests in the country’s cultural offerings....
Warm southern air will bring a taste of summer to Czechia this week, with temperatures expected to reach 25°C on Wednesday and Thursday. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), this brief warm spell will be followed by milder but still pleasant conditions over the Easter weekend. The start of the week will remain stable, though occasional showers are expected, especially in northwest Bohemia. On Monday, skies will be partly cloudy with sporadic rainfall. Overnight lows will fall to between 6°C and 11°C, while daytime highs will stay within 17°C to 22°C. A light variable wind will shift to a moderate southeasterly in the afternoon, particularly in Moravia. Tuesday will bring similar conditions. Expect cloudy skies with scattered showers, and a possibility of thunderstorms, particularly in Bohemia. Rain should ease by the evening, with clearing skies from the west. Daytime highs will remain in the 18°C to 22°C range in the west, but eastern regions may be slightly cooler, with highs between 14°C and 18°C. On Wednesday, temperatures could rise to 25°C, creating ideal conditions for outdoor plans. The day will start partly cloudy, especially in Moravia and Silesia, and wind speeds will remain moderate. Overnight, temperatures will drop to...
As many as 260,000 refugees from Ukraine could remain in the Czech Republic permanently within the next decade, according to a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Aspen Institute Central Europe. If that estimate proves accurate, the total number of foreigners in the country could reach 1.36 million by 2035. As of the end of March, figures from the Ministry of the Interior showed that 364,600 people were living in Czechia under temporary protection. Another 708,700 foreign nationals held various types of residence permits—bringing the total to around 1.07 million. “We currently estimate that around 70% of Ukrainian refugees will remain in the Czech Republic after 2035,” the study’s authors wrote. However, they noted that much depends on how the war in Ukraine develops in the coming years. The study highlights a generally positive effect on the Czech labor market, which has long suffered from worker shortages. “The arrival of labor helped ease shortages in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and services, while also generating new consumer demand that supported parts of the economy,” the study notes. But integration is not without challenges. The report flags several issues: language barriers, the limited recognition of qualifications, and increased pressure on the healthcare...
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has released its forecast for the upcoming weekend, and while the temperatures will feel like spring, the skies might not fully cooperate. On Friday, April 11, expect partly cloudy skies across much of the country, with occasional local rain showers. Daytime temperatures will range between 13 and 17°C. Saturday will bring a similar pattern. Most regions will see intermittent clouds and scattered short-term rain, but the temperatures will climb a bit higher, reaching 16 to 20°C during the day. Sunday’s forecast follows the same trend: variable cloudiness with local precipitation, particularly in western regions. Thermometers could rise to 21°C, bringing the warmest day of the weekend. Looking ahead to next week, the weather pattern will remain largely unchanged, but a slight increase in warmth is on the horizon. From Monday to Thursday (April 14–17), skies will stay mostly cloudy or overcast, with occasional showers. However, temperatures will gradually rise, reaching 17 to 22°C—and in some parts of Moravia, even up to 25°C. While it may not be a fully sunny spring weekend, the mild temperatures will offer a welcome break from colder weather. Just don’t forget to pack a light raincoat or umbrella before heading outdoors....
Prague’s population increased by 13,148 people last year, reaching approximately 1.398 million by the end of December 2024. According to data released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the city’s population growth was driven by both a natural increase—meaning more births than deaths—and migration. The natural increase accounted for an additional 293 people, with 12,085 births recorded in Prague in 2024, compared to 11,792 deaths. Prague was the only region in the Czech Republic to experience population growth through natural increase last year; in every other region, there were more deaths than births. In addition to the natural increase, migration played a significant role, contributing 12,855 people to the city’s population. A total of 62,689 people moved into Prague, while 49,834 residents left. This migration trend highlights Prague’s continued appeal as a destination for newcomers. The capital city also saw 6,189 marriages in 2024, while 2,380 marriages ended in divorce over the same period. On a national level, the population of the Czech Republic grew by approximately 8,900 people, reaching a total of 10.91 million. This growth was largely attributed to foreign migration. However, the number of births in the country reached a historic low of 84,311, and the overall...
Former Czech Member of Parliament Lubomír Volný has sparked significant controversy in Ostrava. In his hometown, he put up several billboards featuring a photograph of himself shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The accompanying message reads: “Russia is not an enemy, Russia is an opportunity.” Volný shared the move on his Facebook page on Tuesday, April 8. In his post, Volný elaborated on his reasoning, stating, “Russia is not an enemy; it is an opportunity to solve energy poverty. It is a chance for peace, and Russia is ready to discuss disarmament initiatives.” These comments reflect his long-standing admiration for Putin, with whom he has publicly expressed support for in the past. Volný’s pro-Russian stance is no secret. He has openly approved of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on social media, even labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “mass murderer.” In March 2022, the Czech police investigated his statements but found no evidence of criminal activity. The former MP has continued to share his views on social media, recently writing on X, “Europe needs more Putins and Orbáns, and fewer criminals like the EU and NATO.” His pro-Russian sympathies were also evident when he participated in a pro-Russian rally...
Unemployment in Prague rose to 3% in March 2025, up from 2.9% in February, according to newly released data from the Czech Labour Office. The capital was the only region in the country to record a month-on-month increase in unemployment. However, it continues to hold the lowest jobless rate in the Czech Republic. A year ago, in March 2024, the unemployment rate in Prague stood at 2.8%. Despite the current slight increase, the city’s labor market remains the strongest nationwide. At the end of March, a total of 30,009 people were registered as job seekers at Prague’s labor offices—643 more than the previous month. During the same period, the number of job openings rose by 1,618, reaching 23,480 vacancies. Since January, Czech labor offices have been removing listings for positions that remain unfilled for over six months. In March, there were approximately 1.3 job seekers per open position in the capital. “In a regional comparison, unemployment increased only in Prague, by 0.1 percentage point,” said a spokesperson for the Czech Labour Office. Out of the 30,000 unemployed in Prague, 27,261 were immediately available for work, classified as “reachable unemployed.” This group excludes individuals on sick leave, undergoing retraining, on maternity...
Don’t have an account? Register
[swpm_registration_form level=”6″]
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
