Prague’s New Demographics: 25% of Inhabitants are Foreigners

Between 2001 and 2022, the number of foreigners living in Prague increased from 61,000 to 345,000.

This means that foreigners now make up about a quarter of the city’s population. Without this influx, Prague’s population would be slightly decreasing.

This data comes from an analysis by the city’s Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), presented to city councillors on Monday. The majority of these foreigners come from Ukraine, Slovakia, Russia, and Vietnam.

The report indicates that the growth in the foreign population was significantly impacted by Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022, which led to over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees relocating to Prague.

However, the number of residence permits issued might not accurately reflect the actual number of Ukrainians in the city, as there is no precise record of those who have left the Czech Republic.

Migration has played a crucial role in maintaining Prague’s population numbers. Without foreign residents, the population would have decreased by around 5,000 between 2016 and 2021.

The analysis notes that, on average, just under 15,000 foreigners have been added to Prague annually from 2016 to 2021, with 12,000 being migrants and the remaining 3,000 being children of immigrants.

The foreign population in Prague is generally younger than the Czech population, with an average age of 35.5 years compared to the Czech average of 42.9 years in 2021.

Without foreigners, Prague’s average age would align with the national average of 43 years. The mortality rate among foreigners is low due to the minimal presence of senior citizens within this group. The analysis predicts that the number of foreigners in Prague will continue to grow.

According to the Czech Statistical Office (CSO), Prague’s population grew by 27,406 last year, reaching 1.38 million. However, analyses of geolocation data from mobile operators suggest that there are 200,000 to 300,000 more people living in the city than official records show.

This discrepancy is due to commuting for work or study, and the failure to report changes of residence to the population register.

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