Czech population rises to above 10.5 mln on net immigration

The population of the Czech Republic increased by 2,100 during the first quarter of 2012 to reach 10,507,600, with the increase driven by “a positive balance of international migration,” although their numbers decreased compared to the same period of last year, the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) said on Tuesday.

According to the data from the Interior Ministry, international migration totaled 4,066 persons during the first quarter of 2012, which was by 1,600 less than in the same period in 2011, the ČSÚ said.

The number of immigrants decreased by 2,100 (to 5,200), and the number of emigrants by 500 to (1,100). The highest net migration was reached with the citizens of Slovakia (784 people) and Russia (594 people), followed by United States (411 people) and Ukraine (337 people). The decrease was registered only in the number of citizens of Czech Republic (by 368 persons).

There was a drop both in the number of live births year on year (26,100 – down by 700 — with 43.1 percent of children born outside of marriage) and deaths (300 fewer), as well as the number of marriages (by 100), divorces (700) and abortions (400), the office said.

“The average age of deceased person was 75.1 years (71.4 for men and 78.6 for women). The most deaths, more than half, were caused by diseases of the circulatory system (14,300), a total of 6,600 died due to neoplasms and a total of 1,700 due to diseases of the respiratory system,” the ČSÚ said.

A total of 3,400 marriages were entered into, which was by 130 down on a year before. In 47.6 percent of the cases it was the first marriage for both engaged. The average age of groom was 38.1 year (32.2 for the first marriage) and the average age of bride was 34.7 years (29.0 for the first marriage).

In first three months of 2012 a total of 6,100 marriages ended in divorce, 700 fewer than in the first quarter of 2011.