Czech Republic Population: How Many People Live in Czechia? (2026)
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
The Czech Republic’s population is approximately 10.9 million people (2026 estimate), making it the 86th most populous country in the world. About 1.3 million live in the capital Prague (2.2 million in the metropolitan area), and roughly three-quarters of the population lives in urban areas.
Czech Republic population: key facts (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population | ~10.9 million (2026 est.) |
| Rank worldwide | 86th |
| Density | 138 people per km² (357 per sq mi) |
| Urban population | ~74% live in cities |
| Growth rate | +0.3% annually (immigration-driven) |
| Median age | 43.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.1 years (female 83.3, male 76.9) |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 children per woman |
| Ageing population | 21% aged 65+; growing |
Sources: Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) and Eurostat.
Largest cities by population
| Rank | City | Population (2026 est.) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prague (Praha) | 1,357,000 | Capital region |
| 2 | Brno | 395,000 | South Moravia |
| 3 | Ostrava | 279,000 | Moravian-Silesian |
| 4 | Plzeň (Pilsen) | 181,000 | Plzeň region |
| 5 | Liberec | 105,000 | Liberec region |
| 6 | Olomouc | 101,000 | Olomouc region |
| 7 | České Budějovice | 95,000 | South Bohemia |
| 8 | Hradec Králové | 93,000 | Hradec Králové region |
| 9 | Ústí nad Labem | 91,000 | Ústí nad Labem region |
| 10 | Pardubice | 91,000 | Pardubice region |
Demographic composition
Ethnicity
According to the 2021 census (with 2026 updates for recent immigration):
- Czech ~57% (declared); another ~30% identify as “no stated ethnicity” but speak Czech natively
- Moravian ~5% (self-identified; linguistically Czech)
- Ukrainian ~2.5% (grown sharply since 2022)
- Slovak ~1.5%
- Vietnamese ~0.6% (long-established community)
- Russian, Polish, German, Romani, other — remaining %
Religion
- No religious affiliation — ~68% (one of the most secular countries in Europe)
- Catholic — ~10%
- Protestant / Evangelical — ~1%
- Other / undeclared — ~21%
Why is the population growing — and why ageing?
The Czech Republic has one of the lowest natural birth rates in Europe (1.44 children per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate). Yet the population is still growing — driven entirely by immigration, especially from Ukraine, Slovakia, Vietnam, and (recently) Russia.
The combination of low birth rate and increasing life expectancy means the population is ageing rapidly: the share of over-65s is projected to reach 29% by 2050, up from 21% in 2026.
Urban vs. rural
The Czech Republic is one of Central Europe’s more urbanised countries — 74% live in cities and towns. The Prague metropolitan area alone holds roughly 20% of the national population. Rural depopulation has been a long-term challenge, especially in the north-west and south-east border regions.
Historical population trend
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1869 (first census) | 7.6 million (Bohemia + Moravia + Czech Silesia) |
| 1930 | 10.7 million |
| 1950 | 9.0 million (post-WWII; expulsion of Germans) |
| 1991 | 10.3 million |
| 2011 | 10.5 million |
| 2021 | 10.7 million |
| 2026 (est.) | 10.9 million |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Czech Republic?
Approximately 10.9 million as of 2026.
How many people live in Prague?
About 1.3 million in the city proper; 2.2 million in the metropolitan area.
Is the Czech Republic ethnically diverse?
Historically very homogeneous, but increasingly diverse due to immigration. The Ukrainian population has grown significantly since 2022, and Prague in particular is a cosmopolitan city.
Is the population growing or shrinking?
Slowly growing — but only due to immigration. The natural birth rate is below replacement level.
How does the Czech population compare to its neighbours?
Smaller than Poland (37M), Germany (83M), and Hungary (9.6M); larger than Austria (9.0M) and Slovakia (5.4M).
Essential reading on Czech society
- Rick Steves Prague & the Czech Republic
- “Prague Winter” by Madeleine Albright
- “Havel: A Life” by Michael Žantovský
- “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera
