Czech Birth Rate Hits Lowest Level Since 1785: Five Key Reasons

The birth rate in Czechia has fallen to its lowest level since statistical records began — that is, since 1785, when Emperor Joseph II still sat on the throne. Over the past two years, fewer children have been born in the country than at any other time in its history, including during the world wars, economic crises and changes of political regime.

According to the authors of a recent analytical study, the situation looks paradoxical: on paper, the country is living through a peaceful, prosperous era with no major upheavals — life expectancy and quality of life continue to rise, and the number of centenarians keeps growing. And yet young people today are having noticeably fewer children than their parents' or grandparents' generation.

What young people themselves say

As part of the survey, journalists spoke with several dozen Czech residents aged 25 to 35. Most admitted they would like to have children in principle, but quickly listed specific reasons why it isn't happening.

The most common themes were unaffordable housing, health issues — including mental health — and shifting life priorities. Many respondents also pointed to the lack of a stable partner, saying there simply wasn't anyone to start a family with. Researchers describe this as a "partnership crisis": people say they would like children but either haven't found the right person or feel they can't afford the costs without a millionaire's income.

Children — later, or never

The demographic shift in Czech society is clearly reflected in the average age at which women have their first child. Before 1989 it was around 22; today it has climbed close to thirty.

Experts attribute this to the fact that far more young people now pursue higher education and deliberately postpone starting a family. Career and savings come first, so that future children will be provided for — and by the time that's done, many start to feel "too old" for parenthood.

Many survey participants spoke about parenthood with great respect, admitting they didn't feel ready for such responsibility. This lines up with academic research showing that modern parenting is far more intensive and demanding than in the past. Meanwhile, according to the research firm PAQ Research, around 16% of Czech adults currently struggle with anxiety or depression — people have simply become much more open about discussing psychological issues.

Is there a way out?

The problem is clear from the statistics, and its causes are hardly a secret either. Finding solutions is trickier: birth rates are falling across almost the entire developed world, so there's no ready-made foreign model to simply copy.

International comparisons do offer some grounds for optimism. According to a demographer and deputy director of the Vienna Institute of Demography, Czechia has repeatedly shown an ability to suddenly "spike" in fertility — jumping from very low figures to remarkably strong ones. The one universal recipe experts point to is this: once young people feel they are doing well and can afford to have children, birth rates start climbing surprisingly fast.

Among the measures under discussion is raising the parental allowance to 400,000 crowns — though even that sum, experts say, wouldn't keep pace with inflation.

Source: seznamzpravy.cz