The number of foreign nationals living in Prague is projected to approach one million by 2050, a recent analysis has shown.
With Prague’s population estimated at 1.3 million in 2019, this surge suggests a potentially significant demographic shift in the Czech capital.
According to the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), the influx of foreigners is largely driven by the city’s attractive job market and improving business environment.
The IPR’s director, Ondřej Boháč, highlighted that many of these newcomers are filling roles in sectors such as construction, cleaning services, and hospitality—positions that have seen declining interest among the local Czech population.
The IPR’s Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP) reports that the majority of foreign residents in Prague come from Ukraine, Slovakia, Russia, and Vietnam, with significant numbers also arriving from Romania, Bulgaria, India, and the Philippines.
A countrywide trend
The trend in Prague mirrors a broader national trend across the Czech Republic.
According to the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the number of legally residing foreigners in the country reached 1.12 million by the end of 2023, making up about 10% of the total population.
Employment has been a key driver of this increase, with around 900,000 foreigners employed in the Czech Republic last year, nearly one in three of whom were Ukrainian.
The past decade has seen a steady rise in the share of foreign workers in the Czech workforce.
In 2010, foreigners made up 5.5% of the workforce, a figure that had almost tripled to 15% by 2019.
Last year, foreign workers accounted for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total workforce.
According to the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), the influx of foreigners is largely driven by the city’s attractive job market and improving business environment.
The IPR’s director, Ondřej Boháč, highlighted that many of these newcomers are filling roles in sectors such as construction, cleaning services, and hospitality—positions that have seen declining interest among the local Czech population.
The IPR’s Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP) reports that the majority of foreign residents in Prague come from Ukraine, Slovakia, Russia, and Vietnam, with significant numbers also arriving from Romania, Bulgaria, India, and the Philippines.
A countrywide trend
The trend in Prague mirrors a broader national trend across the Czech Republic.
According to the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the number of legally residing foreigners in the country reached 1.12 million by the end of 2023, making up about 10% of the total population.
Employment has been a key driver of this increase, with around 900,000 foreigners employed in the Czech Republic last year, nearly one in three of whom were Ukrainian.
The past decade has seen a steady rise in the share of foreign workers in the Czech workforce.
In 2010, foreigners made up 5.5% of the workforce, a figure that had almost tripled to 15% by 2019.
Last year, foreign workers accounted for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total workforce.
Source: expats.cz
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