Czechia profile

Demography and Health

Czechia, officially the Czech Republic, has a total population of about 10.88 million in 2024, ranking 86th globally by size. The past year also shows a noticeable net outflow of people, with net migration at approximately -86,169 in 2024, signaling that population dynamics are increasingly shaped by mobility rather than natural increase alone. The birth rate stands at 8.4 births per 1,000 people (2023) while the crude death rate is 10.4 per 1,000, indicating an aging demographic with a natural decrease that may weigh on long‑term labor markets and public finances. Life expectancy at birth is 79.9 years (2023), reflecting strong health conditions and medical infrastructure, alongside relatively low under-5 mortality at 2.6 per 1,000 live births. Unemployment is low at 2.58% in 2023, pointing to a tight labor market, which, in combination with outward migration, may influence future employment dynamics and wage growth. The country spends 8.54% of GDP on current health expenditure (2023), with domestic health expenditure per capita (PPP, current international US$) around 3,913 (2022), and about 4.25 physicians per 1,000 people (2021), underscoring a well‑developed health system with adequate access to care. On public health challenges, the suicide mortality rate is 13.3 per 100,000 (2021), a statistic that prompts ongoing attention to mental health and social support services. Provisions for the poor reveal a poverty headcount at national poverty lines of 10.2% (2021), alongside a low prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% (2022). Internet access is widespread, with 86% of the population online in 2023, which supports digital health initiatives and public service delivery. Overall, Czechia combines favorable health outcomes and access with demographic aging and migration pressures that will shape policy priorities in the coming years.

Economy, Trade and Investment

The Czech economy is highly open and export‑oriented. Exports of goods and services amounted to 69.2% of GDP in 2024, with imports representing 62.7% of GDP, underscoring a robust participation in global value chains and a dependence on external demand for growth. GDP per capita is 31,707 current US$ in 2024, while GDP per capita at purchasing power parity stands at 56,806 international US$, signaling a solid standard of living by regional and global standards. The country is a leading performer in high‑technology manufacturing, delivering 52.4 billion USD in high‑tech exports in 2024, which highlights the role of advanced engineering, electronics, and automotive components in its trade mix. Economic openness is complemented by evidence of strong innovation activity, including R&D expenditure at 1.96% of GDP in 2022 and 541 resident patent applications in 2021, albeit with room to boost research intensity further. Foreign direct investment (net inflows) equals 3.78% of GDP in 2024, reflecting continued investor confidence in a skilled workforce, stabilizing institutions, and well‑developed logistics. The current account balance stands at 1.75% of GDP in 2024, suggesting a modest external surplus or balance of payments position. Inflation is contained at 2.44% in 2024, contributing to price stability for households and firms. Social indicators such as a poverty rate of 10.2% (2021) and undernourishment at 2.5% (2022) illustrate a country with a comparatively strong social safety net and food security within a competitive economy. The country’s environmental footprint remains nontrivial, with total greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 10.5 t CO2e and a water‑stress indicator of 20.5% (2021), signaling policy challenges around climate and resource efficiency as growth continues.

Governance and Institutions

Czechia exhibits governance indicators that place it in the upper range of many comparable economies. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism register 0.967 in 2023 (ranked 30), while regulatory quality stands at 1.3 (rank 24) and the rule of law at 1.14 (rank 30). Control of corruption is 0.768 (rank 41) and government effectiveness is 1.11 (rank 32), collectively pointing to a credible, comparatively predictable institutional framework with solid policy continuity and a business‑friendly environment. These indicators reflect a governance model that supports investment, contract enforcement, and policy stability, though there remains potential to bolster transparency and further enhance the rule of law to climb higher on global benchmarks. The quality of trade‑ and transport‑related infrastructure, as reflected in a Logistics Performance Index of 3.0 (2022, rank 16), reinforces confidence in procedural efficiency and the credibility of institutions that oversee cross‑border commerce. Internet penetration is high at 86% (2023), which also supports e‑governance, transparency initiatives, and citizen engagement. Overall, Czechia’s institutional landscape appears conducive to sustained private sector activity and long‑term development plans, with active governance mechanisms in place to manage complexities arising from migration, demographic change, and environmental challenges.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology indicators position Czechia as a well‑connected, modern economy with strong logistics capabilities and a thriving innovation ecosystem. The Logistics Performance Index scores 3.0 on a 1–5 scale (2022), with a rank of 16, suggesting efficient but not top‑tier logistics that nonetheless support rapid manufacturing and export performance. Internet usage is high (86% of the population in 2023), enabling widespread digital services, e‑commerce, and remote work, while the country’s high‑tech exports, totaling about 52.4 billion USD in 2024, demonstrate a robust tech‑driven production base. Research and development intensity is 1.96% of GDP (2022), indicating ongoing investment in knowledge creation, complemented by 541 resident patent applications in 2021, signaling an active domestic innovation environment. The presence of a strong manufacturing base for high‑tech goods is likely supported by skilled labor and efficient supply chains, reinforced by a healthy level of foreign direct investment (3.78% of GDP in 2024). While renewable energy’s share of final energy consumption stands at 17.2% (2021), energy systems and infrastructure appear to be transitioning toward greater sustainability, and policy focus on innovation and digitalization continues to elevate productivity and competitiveness.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental performance in Czechia shows a transitional trajectory toward cleaner energy and reduced emissions, alongside existing pressures on natural resources. Renewable energy consumption accounts for 17.2% of total final energy consumption (2021), indicating that decarbonization is underway but still has substantial headroom for expansion. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 10.5 t CO2e (2023), reflecting a carbon intensity consistent with a diversified, energy‑intensive economy that relies on manufacturing and transport. The level of freshwater withdrawal relative to available resources (water stress) is 20.5% (2021), signaling moderate pressure on water resources, particularly in sectors like industry and agriculture. Public health and social indicators complement environmental outcomes, with a relatively low poverty rate and good access to healthcare, but environmental policies will need to address climate and resource efficiency in the context of continued economic growth. Taken together, the data show a country actively progressing toward sustainability while balancing growth, energy security, and social well‑being, with ongoing opportunities to expand renewable deployment, energy efficiency, and climate resilience going forward.