2017 Edition

Background

At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the territory that today comprises Czechia, and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. After the war, a reunited but truncated Czechoslovakia (less Ruthenia) fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The country changed its short-form name to Czechia in 2016.

Area

78,867 sq km 77,247 sq km 1,620 sq km

land

77,247 sq km

total

78,867 sq km

water

1,620 sq km

Area - comparative

about two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

433 m lowest point: Labe (Elbe) River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Labe (Elbe) River 115 m

highest point

Snezka 1,602 m

mean elevation

433 m

Environment - current issues

air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

49 45 N, 15 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe

Irrigated land

320 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,143 km Austria 402 km, Germany 704 km, Poland 796 km, Slovakia 241 km

border countries (4)

Austria 402 km, Germany 704 km, Poland 796 km, Slovakia 241 km

total

2,143 km

Land use

54.8% arable land 41%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 12.8% 34.4% 10.8% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

54.8%

forest

34.4%

other

10.8% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

flooding

Natural resources

hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, arable land

Population - distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations

Terrain

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country

Age structure

15.16% (male 831,150/female 786,984) 9.59% (male 527,232/female 496,530) 43.84% (male 2,403,333/female 2,276,261) 12.44% (male 646,106/female 681,541) 18.98% (male 842,384/female 1,183,202) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.16% (male 831,150/female 786,984)

15-24 years

9.59% (male 527,232/female 496,530)

25-54 years

43.84% (male 2,403,333/female 2,276,261)

55-64 years

12.44% (male 646,106/female 681,541)

65 years and over

18.98% (male 842,384/female 1,183,202) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

9.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

86.3% percent of women aged 18-44 (2008)

note

percent of women aged 18-44 (2008)

Death rate

10.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

49.5 22.6 26.9 3.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

26.9

potential support ratio

3.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

49.5

youth dependency ratio

22.6

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Czech 64.3%, Moravian 5%, Slovak 1.4%, other 1.8%, unspecified 27.5% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,400 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

6.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

2.6 deaths/1,000 live births 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Czech (official) 95.4%, Slovak 1.6%, other 3% (2011 census)

Life expectancy at birth

78.8 years 75.8 years 81.9 years (2017 est.)

female

81.9 years (2017 est.)

male

75.8 years

total population

78.8 years

Literacy

NA 99% 99% 99% (2011 est.)

definition

NA

female

99% (2011 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major urban areas - population

PRAGUE (capital) 1.314 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.1 years 40.8 years 43.4 years (2017 est.)

female

43.4 years (2017 est.)

male

40.8 years

total

42.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.1 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Czech(s) Czech

adjective

Czech

noun

Czech(s)

Net migration rate

2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26% (2016)

Physicians density

3.68 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

10,674,723 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations

Population growth rate

0.12% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 10.4%, Protestant (includes Czech Brethren and Hussite) 1.1%, other and unspecified 54%, none 34.5% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.1% of population rural: 99.2% of population total: 99.1% of population urban: 0.9% of population rural: 0.8% of population total: 0.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.8% of population

total

0.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 16 years 18 years (2014)

female

18 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.7 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.6% 11.3% 14.4% (2015 est.)

female

14.4% (2015 est.)

male

11.3%

total

12.6%

Urbanization

73% of total population (2017) 0.3% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.3% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

73% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky (Karlovy Vary), Kralovehradecky (Hradec Kralove), Liberecky (Liberec), Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky (Olomouc), Pardubicky (Pardubice), Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky (Usti), Vysocina (Highlands), Zlinsky (Zlin)

Capital

Prague 50 05 N, 14 28 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

50 05 N, 14 28 E

name

Prague

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Czechia no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Czechia

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1960; latest ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993 passage requires at least three-fifths concurrence by members present in both houses of Parliament; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)

amendments

passage requires at least three-fifths concurrence by members present in both houses of Parliament; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)

history

previous 1960; latest ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993

Country name

Czech Republic Czechia Ceska republika Cesko name derives from the Czechs, a West Slavic tribe who rose to prominence in the late 9th century A.D.

conventional long form

Czech Republic

conventional short form

Czechia

etymology

name derives from the Czechs, a West Slavic tribe who rose to prominence in the late 9th century A.D.

local long form

Ceska republika

local short form

Cesko

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephen B. KING (since 2017) Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1 - Mala Strana use embassy street address [420] 257 022 000 [420] 257 022 809

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephen B. KING (since 2017)

embassy

Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1 - Mala Strana

FAX

[420] 257 022 809

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[420] 257 022 000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hynek KMONICEK (since 24 April 2017) 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 274-9100 [1] (202) 966-8540 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hynek KMONICEK (since 24 April 2017)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 966-8540

telephone

[1] (202) 274-9100

Executive branch

President Milos ZEMAN (since 8 March 2013) Prime Minister Bohuslav SOBOTKA (since 17 January 2014); First Deputy Prime Minister Richard BRABEC (since 24 May 2017) and Deputy Prime Minister Pavel BELOBRADEK (since 29 January 2014) Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held on 11-12 January 2013 with a runoff on 25-26 January 2013 (next to be held in January 2018); prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term Milos ZEMAN elected president; percent of popular vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 54.8%, Karel SCHWARZENBERG (TOP 09) 45.2%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

President Milos ZEMAN (since 8 March 2013)

election results

Milos ZEMAN elected president; percent of popular vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 54.8%, Karel SCHWARZENBERG (TOP 09) 45.2%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held on 11-12 January 2013 with a runoff on 25-26 January 2013 (next to be held in January 2018); prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term

head of government

Prime Minister Bohuslav SOBOTKA (since 17 January 2014); First Deputy Prime Minister Richard BRABEC (since 24 May 2017) and Deputy Prime Minister Pavel BELOBRADEK (since 29 January 2014)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side combines the white and red colors of Bohemia with blue from the arms of Moravia; is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia

note

combines the white and red colors of Bohemia with blue from the arms of Moravia; is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia); note - although 1 January is the day the Czech Republic came into being, the Czechs commemorate 28 October 1918, the day the former Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as their independence day

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (organized into Civil Law and Commercial Division, and Criminal Division each with a court chief justice, vice justice, and several judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 justices); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 28 judges) Supreme Court judges proposed by the Chamber of Deputies and appointed by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed for 10-year, renewable terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the president of the Court; unlimited terms High Court; superior, regional, and district courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (organized into Civil Law and Commercial Division, and Criminal Division each with a court chief justice, vice justice, and several judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 justices); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 28 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges proposed by the Chamber of Deputies and appointed by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed for 10-year, renewable terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the president of the Court; unlimited terms

subordinate courts

High Court; superior, regional, and district courts

Legal system

new civil code enacted in 2014, replacing civil code of 1964 - based on former Austro-Hungarian civil codes and socialist theory - and reintroducing former Czech legal terminology

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members directly elected in 14 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote with a 5% threshold required to fill a seat; members serve 4-year terms) Senate - last held in 2 rounds on 7-8 and 14-15 October 2016 (next to be held in October 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20-21 October 2017 (next to be held on October 2021) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; CSSD 25, KDU-CSL 14, ODS 9, ANO 7, STAN 5, SZ 4, TOP 09 2, SLK 2, SZ 2, SPO 1, Movement for Prague 1, S.cz. 1, KSCM 1, other 5, independent 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ANO 29.6%, ODS 11.3%, Pirates 10.8%, SPD 10.6%, KSCM 7.8%, CSSD 7.3%, KDU-CSL 5.8%, TOP 09 5.3%, STAN 5.2%, other 6.3%; seats by party - ANO 78, ODS 25, Pirates 22, SPD 22, KSCM 15, CSSD 15, KDU-CSL 10, TOP 09 7, STAN 6 Senate seats by party as of 20 May 2017 - CSSD 25, KDU-CSL 16, STAN and TOP 09 11, ODS 10, ANO 7, SPO 2, SZ 2, S.cz. 1, KSCM 1, Movement for Prague 1, independent 5

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members directly elected in 14 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote with a 5% threshold required to fill a seat; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; CSSD 25, KDU-CSL 14, ODS 9, ANO 7, STAN 5, SZ 4, TOP 09 2, SLK 2, SZ 2, SPO 1, Movement for Prague 1, S.cz. 1, KSCM 1, other 5, independent 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ANO 29.6%, ODS 11.3%, Pirates 10.8%, SPD 10.6%, KSCM 7.8%, CSSD 7.3%, KDU-CSL 5.8%, TOP 09 5.3%, STAN 5.2%, other 6.3%; seats by party - ANO 78, ODS 25, Pirates 22, SPD 22, KSCM 15, CSSD 15, KDU-CSL 10, TOP 09 7, STAN 6

elections

Senate - last held in 2 rounds on 7-8 and 14-15 October 2016 (next to be held in October 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20-21 October 2017 (next to be held on October 2021)

note

Senate seats by party as of 20 May 2017 - CSSD 25, KDU-CSL 16, STAN and TOP 09 11, ODS 10, ANO 7, SPO 2, SZ 2, S.cz. 1, KSCM 1, Movement for Prague 1, independent 5

National anthem

"Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?) Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993

lyrics/music

Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP

name

"Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)

note

adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993

National holiday

Czechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

National symbol(s)

silver (or white), double-tailed, rampant lion; national colors: white, red, blue

silver (or white), double-tailed, rampant lion; national colors

white, red, blue

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Pavel BELOBRADEK] Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Petr FIALA] Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP] Czech Pirate Party or Pirates [Ivan BARTOS] Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Lubomir ZAORALEK] Dawn - National Coalition or Usvit-NK [Miroslav LIDINSKY] Free Citizens Party or Svobodni [Petr MACH] Freedom and Direct Democracy or SPD [Tomio OKAMURA] Green Party or SZ [Matej STROPNICKY] Mayors and Independents or STAN [Petr GAZDIK] Movement for Prague Movement of Dissatisfied Citizens or ANO [Andrej BABIS] Nestranici (Non-Partisans) or NK [Vera RYBOVA] North Bohemians or S.cz [Bronislav SCHWARZ] Party of Civic Rights or SPO [Jan VELEBA] Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 or TOP 09 [Miroslav KALOUSEK]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Josef STREDULA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry

Budget

$78.09 billion $76.96 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$76.96 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$78.09 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2016) 0.05% (31 December 2015) this is the two-week repo, the main rate CNB uses

note

this is the two-week repo, the main rate CNB uses

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.91% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.28% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$2.154 billion (2016 est.) $461 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$138 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $129.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25 (2015) 25.1 (2014)

Economy - overview

Czechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand. Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry. Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone. While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, its central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) has since November 2013 intervened in the foreign exchange markets to cap the value of the koruna at 27/Euro, with a 2% inflation target. This intervention has also helped to keep exports competitively priced. After inflation exceeded the bank's 2% target in early 2017, the CNB indicated it expects to end its intervention in the first half of 2017, though it will continue to intervene as necessary to maintain stability of the currency. After slowly recovering from a steep recession in 2009, the Czech economy again fell into recession in 2012 and 2013 because of a slump in demand within the EU and government austerity measures. Inflows of EU development funds underpinned a rebound in 2014-15. Real GDP growth reached 4.5% in 2015, in part due to last-minute spending of EU funds, and fell to 2.5% in 2016, still one of the highest rates in the EU. The Czech unemployment rate was 5.2% in 2016, one of the lowest rates in the EU. Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs. The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues. The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages. The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries – 4-5% in each of the past two years, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries. Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy.

Exchange rates

koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 24.44 (2016 est.) 24.44 (2015 est.) 24.599 (2014 est.) 20.758 (2013 est.) 19.59 (2012 est.)

Exports

$131.1 billion (2016 est.) $128.2 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, raw materials, fuel, chemicals

Exports - partners

Germany 32.4%, Slovakia 8.4%, Poland 5.8%, UK 5.2%, France 5.2%, Italy 4.3%, Austria 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

47% 19.2% 25% 1.3% 79.5% -72% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

79.5%

government consumption

19.2%

household consumption

47%

imports of goods and services

-72% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25%

investment in inventories

1.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.5% 37.5% 60% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.5%

industry

37.5%

services

60% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$33,500 (2016 est.) $32,700 (2015 est.) $31,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2016 est.) 5.3% (2015 est.) 2.7% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$195.3 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$353.9 billion (2016 est.) $340.6 billion (2015 est.) $319.9 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

27.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 28.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 26.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.1% 21.7% (2015 est.)

highest 10%

21.7% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%

4.1%

Imports

$120.8 billion (2016 est.) $120.5 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, raw materials and fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners

Germany 30.6%, Poland 9.6%, China 7.5%, Slovakia 6.3%, Netherlands 5.3%, Italy 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2016 est.)

Industries

motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.7% (2016 est.) 0.3% (2015 est.)

Labor force

5.35 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.8% 38% 59.2% (2015)

agriculture

2.8%

industry

38%

services

59.2% (2015)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$44.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $39.91 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $45.63 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.7% (2015 est.)

Public debt

36.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 39.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$85.73 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $64.49 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$148.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $144.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$43.09 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $42.26 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$139.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $140.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$124.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $127.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$133.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $124.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

40.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2016 est.) 5.1% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

103 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

518.7 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

105,800 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

2,333 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

15 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

61.16 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

24.79 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

56.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

5.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

18.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

14.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

13.82 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

21.51 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

77.74 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

11.51 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

7.474 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

247 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

180,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

49,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

103,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

121,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

roughly 130 TV broadcasters operating some 350 channels with 4 publicly operated and the remainder in private hands; 16 TV stations have national coverage with 4 being publicly operated; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; 63 radio broadcasters are registered operating roughly 80 radio stations with 15 stations publicly operated; 10 radio stations provide national coverage with the remainder local or regional (2008)

Internet country code

.cz

Internet users

8,141,303 76.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

76.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

8,141,303

Telephone system

good telephone and Internet service; there are three major mobile phone providers, though the government is facing criticism for failing to promote sufficient competition, with critics complaining that Czech mobile phone and data prices are among the highest in the EU access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s, but the number of fixed-line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s, and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2017)

domestic

access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s, but the number of fixed-line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s, and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population

general assessment

good telephone and Internet service; there are three major mobile phone providers, though the government is facing criticism for failing to promote sufficient competition, with critics complaining that Czech mobile phone and data prices are among the highest in the EU

international

country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,682,194 16 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,682,194

Telephones - mobile cellular

12,484,885 117 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

117 (July 2016 est.)

total

12,484,885

Airports

128 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

16 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

2

total

41

under 914 m

16 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

61 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

25

total

87

under 914 m

61 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OK (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

National air transport system

4,971,616 26,619,650 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

26,619,650 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,971,616

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

48

number of registered air carriers

4

Pipelines

gas 7,160 km; oil 536 km; refined products 94 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Prague (Vltava); Decin, Usti nad Labem (Elbe)

river port(s)

Prague (Vltava); Decin, Usti nad Labem (Elbe)

Railways

9,621.5 km 9,519.5 km 1.435-m gauge (3,240.5 km electrified) 102 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

102 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

9,519.5 km 1.435-m gauge (3,240.5 km electrified)

total

9,621.5 km

Roadways

130,661 km (includes urban roads) 130,661 km (includes 730 km of expressways) (2011)

paved

130,661 km (includes 730 km of expressways) (2011)

total

130,661 km (includes urban roads)

Waterways

664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2010)

Military branches

Army of the Czech Republic (Armada Ceske Republiky): General Staff (Generalni Stab, includes Land Forces (Pozemni Sily) and Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily)) (2015)

Army of the Czech Republic (Armada Ceske Republiky)

General Staff (Generalni Stab, includes Land Forces (Pozemni Sily) and Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily)) (2015)

Military expenditures

0.98% of GDP (2016) 0.96% of GDP (2015) 0.97% of GDP (2014) 0.99% of GDP (2013) 1.03% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,502 (2016)

stateless persons

1,502 (2016)