Demographic shifts in Europe and Czech Republic driven by migration and low birth rates

Demographic shifts in Europe and the Czech Republic are being driven by a combination of declining birth rates and migration. A model released by the Institute for Remigration (IFR) suggests that if current trends continue, native populations in several European countries could become minorities within the next two decades due to low fertility and migration levels.

In the Czech Republic, the population has reached a post-WWII high of approximately 10.92 million. However, economists note that this growth is primarily sustained by migration, as natural population growth has stalled. Birth rates have reached historic lows, and marriage rates have dropped to levels not seen since the end of World War I.

The aging population presents significant economic challenges. With people over 65 making up more than one-fifth of the Czech population, there is increasing pressure on the workforce to support a growing number of seniors. This demographic shift is expected to increase spending on social and healthcare systems, potentially leading to higher taxes and a greater reliance on automation and foreign labor.