CapitalPrague
Population10,838,703
Area78,867 km²
GDP per capita$48,000
LanguagesCzech, Slovak, other, unspecified
Currencykoruny
Life Expectancy78.6 yr
Governmentparliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia, a parliamentarian democracy. 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 when the pro-Soviet Communist party staged a coup in February 1948. In 1968, an invasion by fellow 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 formally added the short-form name Czechia in 2016, while also continuing to use the full form name, the Czech Republic.
Geography
Area
land
77,247 sq km
water
1,620 sq km
total
78,867 sq km
Climate
temperate climate characterized by cool summers and cold, overcast, humid winters
Terrain
The western region of Bohemia features rolling plains, hills, and plateaus encircled by low mountain ranges, while the eastern region of Moravia is predominantly hilly terrain
Land use
other
16% (2023 est.)
forest
38.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
45.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 32.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Labe (Elbe) River 115 m
highest point
Snezka 1,602 m
mean elevation
433 m
Irrigated land
220 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
2,046 km
border countries
Austria 402 km; Germany 704 km; Poland 699 km; Slovakia 241 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
flooding
Geography - note
note 1: landlocked; positioned strategically along some of the oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; the Moravian Gate serves as a traditional military passage between the North European Plain and the Danube River in central Europe
note 2: the Hranice Abyss in Czechia is recognized as the world's deepest surveyed freshwater cave, reaching a depth of 519 m (1,703 ft); the survey is ongoing, and it may extend to depths of 800-1,200 m (2,625-3,937 ft)
Natural resources
hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, and arable land
Area - comparative
approximately two-thirds the area of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than South Carolina
Geographic coordinates
49 45 N, 15 30 E
Population distribution
a relatively uniform distribution throughout much of the nation, with the northern and eastern areas typically having higher urban densities
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
(Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Labe (Elbe) river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km
note: [s] following the country name indicates river source; [m] following the country name indicates river mouth
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Czech (official) 88.4%, Slovak 1.5%, other 2.6%, unspecified 7.2% (2021 estimate)
major-language sample(s)
World Factbook, nepostradatelný zdroj základních informací. (Czech)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 7%, other religious adherents 6% (including Evangelical United Brethren Church and Czechoslovak Hussite Church), unaffiliated believers 9.1%, none 47.8%, unspecified 30.1% (2021 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.05 male(s)/female
total population
0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.71 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.56 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
11.82 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
42.7 years
total
44.4 years (2025 est.)
female
45.7 years
Population
male
5,337,128
total
10,838,703 (2025 est.)
female
5,501,575
Nationality
noun
Czech(s)
adjective
Czech
Tobacco use
male
30.8% (2025 est.)
total
26.8% (2025 est.)
female
23% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
74.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
15.7% (male 871,303/female 826,896)
15-64 years
63.8% (male 3,542,298/female 3,373,127)
65 years and over
20.5% (2024 est.) (male 922,136/female 1,302,130)
Ethnic groups
Czech 57.3%, Moravian 3.4%, other 7.7%, unspecified 31.6% (2021 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
56.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
24.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
32.2 (2025 est.)
Physician density
4.35 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.5% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
2.7 deaths/1,000 live births
total
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.02% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.84 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a relatively uniform distribution across most of the nation, although the northern and eastern areas tend to exhibit higher urban concentrations
Life expectancy at birth
male
75.6 years
female
81.8 years
total population
78.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
6.77 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
2.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
12.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
3.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.323 million PRAGUE (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
26% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.5 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
53.7% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
16 years (2022 est.)
total
17 years (2022 est.)
female
18 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate; mild summers; cold, overcast, humid winters
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Bohemian Paradise (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
1
Land use
other
16% (2023 est.)
forest
38.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
45.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 32.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
74.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.335 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
37.3% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
pollution of air and water (including acid rain) in the regions of northwest Bohemia and northern Moravia near Ostrava; contamination resulting from industrial activities, mining, and agricultural practices
Total water withdrawal
municipal
626 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
776 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
44 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
79.901 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
12.527 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
41.667 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
25.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
15 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
13.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: features two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red, along with a blue isosceles triangle positioned on the left side
Capital
name
Prague
etymology
the term may originate from the ancient Slavic word "praga" or "prah," which translates to "threshold;" it might also connect to the same Slavic root as the contemporary Czech term "pražiti," referring to land cleared of forest through burning
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, starts on the last Sunday of March and concludes on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
50 05 N, 14 28 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
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
history
previously in 1960; most recently ratified on 16 December 1992, effective from 1 January 1993
amendment process
passage requires at least three-fifths concurrence of members present in both houses of Parliament
Country name
etymology
the name is derived from the Czechs, a West Slavic tribe that gained prominence in the late 9th century A.D.; this tribal name is believed to come from an ancestral chief
local long form
Ceska republika
local short form
Cesko
conventional long form
Czech Republic
conventional short form
Czechia
Independence
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Legal system
a new civil code was enacted in 2014, superseding the civil code of 1964 which was based on prior Austro-Hungarian civil codes and socialist principles
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (organized into Civil Law and Commercial Division, and Criminal Division, each headed by a chief justice, vice justice, and several judges); Constitutional Court (comprises 15 justices); Supreme Administrative Court (includes 36 judges, among them the court president and vice president, organized into chambers of 6, 7, and 9 members)
subordinate courts
High Court; regional and district courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies and appointed by the president; they serve for life; Constitutional Court judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, serving 10-year renewable terms; judges of the Supreme Administrative Court are chosen by the court president; they have unlimited terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Petr PAVEL (since 9 March 2023)
election results
2023: Petr PAVEL won in the second round; first round vote percentages - Petr PAVEL (independent) 35.4%, Andrej BABIS (ANO) 35%, Danuse NERUDOVA (Mayors and Independents) 13.9%, Pavel FISCHER (independent) 6.8%; second round vote percentages - Petr PAVEL 58.3%, Andrej BABIS 41.6%
2018: Milos ZEMAN was reelected president in the second round; vote percentages - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 51.4%, Jiri DRAHOS (independent) 48.6%
head of government
Prime Minister Andrej BABIS (since 9 December 2025)
most recent election date
held on 13-14 January 2023, with a second round on 27-28 January 2023
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote, in 2 rounds if necessary, for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); the prime minister is appointed by the president for a 4-year term
expected date of next election
by January 2028
National holiday
Czechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
National color(s)
white, red, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
17 (16 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Prague (c); Historic Telč (c); Historic Český Krumlov (c); Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape (c); Historic Kutná Hora (c); Holy Trinity Column, Olomouc (c); Karlovy Vary Spa (c); Zatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops; Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops (n)
Political parties
Action of Dissatisfied Citizens or ANO (Akce nespokojených občanů)
Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-ČSL
Civic Democratic Party or ODS
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSČM
Czech Pirate Party or Piráti
ForMOST or ProMOST
Freedom and Direct Democracy or SPD
Independents or NEZ
Mayors and Independents or STAN
Mayors for the Liberec Region or SLK
Přísaha
Senator 21 or SEN 21
Social Democracy SOCDEM
Svobodni
Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 or TOP 09
Tábor 2020 or T2020
United Democrats - Association of Independents or SD-SN
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlament)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)
history
adopted in 1993; this anthem was initially composed as incidental music for the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), but it quickly gained popularity as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its initial verse became the official Czechoslovak anthem starting in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was omitted after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993
lyrics/music
Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP
National symbol(s)
silver (or white) double-tailed rampant lion
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)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecka Snemovna)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
200 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/3/2025 to 10/4/2025
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
33.5%
parties elected and seats per party
ANO (80); SPOLU (52); Mayors and independents (STAN) (22); Czech Pirate Party (18); Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) (15); Motoristé sobě (AUTO) (13)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Senat)
term in office
6 years
number of seats
81 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
9/20/2024 to 9/28/2024
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
21.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) (8); Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU - CSL) (7); TOP 09 (3); ANO 2011 (3); Independents (2); Other (4)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-8540
chancery
3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008-3803
telephone
[1] (202) 274-9100
chief of mission
Ambassador Miloslav STAŠEK (since 16 September 2022)
consulate(s) general
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.mzv.cz/washington/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[420] 257-022-809
embassy
Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1 - Mala Strana
telephone
[420] 257-022-000
mailing address
5630 Prague Place, Washington DC 20521-5630
chief of mission
Ambassador Nicholas MERRICK (since 23 October 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://cz.usembassy.gov/
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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
has not provided an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$94.01 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures
$106.07 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$219.419 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$236.103 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$239.259 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$216.042 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$219.09 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$216.741 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
automobiles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass products, military equipment
Labor force
5.541 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
36.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
koruny (CZK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
23.21 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
21.678 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
23.357 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
22.198 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
23.217 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income, diversified economy within the EU; manufacturing-focused exporter predominantly driven by the automotive sector; moderate growth fueled by household spending and investments, despite a negative impact from net exports; a tight labor market characterized by low unemployment; achieved energy independence from Russian oil as of April 2025
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
2.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 29%, Slovakia 7%, Poland 6%, France 5%, UK 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 22%, China 17%, Poland 8%, Slovakia 5%, Italy 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$48,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$47,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$48,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-0.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.1% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, sugar beets, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, maize, triticale, pork, chicken (2023)
Exports - commodities
automobiles, vehicle parts/accessories, broadcasting equipment, computers, plastic products (2023)
Imports - commodities
broadcasting equipment, vehicle parts/accessories, automobiles, plastic products, computers (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$13.644 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$432.727 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$6.047 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
12.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$345.037 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
44% (2023 est.)
government consumption
19.7% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.7% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
27.3% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
69% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-64% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
10.2% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
15.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
7.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
15.1% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
10.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$516.431 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$516.145 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$521.928 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8.2% (2024 est.)
total
8.4% (2024 est.)
female
8.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$139.981 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$148.379 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$146.281 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
30.2% (2024 est.)
services
59.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
1.5% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.8% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
21.8% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
25.9 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
2.128 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
4.09 million metric tons (2023 est.)
production
31.946 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
33.239 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
3.595 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
15 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
219,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
22.648 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
13.465 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
63.628 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
21.802 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
3.012 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
6.812 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
163.333 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
6.499 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
3.964 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors
6 (2025)
Percent of total electricity production
40% (2023 est.)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
3.96GW (2025 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
136.306 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
40.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
45.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
2.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
86% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
There are 22 national television stations, of which 17 are privately owned; the publicly funded Czech Television features 5 national channels; more than 350 television channels are available, with many accessible via cable, satellite, and IPTV subscription services; 63 radio broadcasters run over 80 radio stations, which include 7 multiregional radio networks; the state-owned broadcaster Czech Radio manages 4 national, 14 regional, and 4 Internet-based stations; both Czech Radio and Czech Television receive partial funding through a license fee (2019)
Internet country code
.cz
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.16 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
13.6 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
127 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
4.1 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
38 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Airports
252 (2025)
Railways
total
9,548 km (2020) 3,242 km electrified
Heliports
107 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OK
Military & Security
Military - note
The Czech Armed Forces are charged with the defense of the nation and its territory, aiding civil authorities during emergencies or natural disasters, enhancing border security in collaboration with the police, engaging in international peacekeeping missions, and fulfilling collective security obligations to the EU and NATO, which Czechia regards as fundamental components of its national security framework. Czechia is a participant in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, contributes to United Nations peacekeeping efforts, and is actively involved in military and security operations under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy. Since joining NATO in 2009, the Czech military has been a proactive contributor to various NATO collective defense initiatives, including the Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, Baltic Air Policing missions, rapid response forces, and operations in Kosovo. Furthermore, it regularly conducts exercises with NATO allies and maintains strong bilateral relations with numerous militaries, especially those of the Visegrad Group (Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) and Germany.
The military structure includes commands for land, air, cyber/information operations, and territorial forces, in addition to a joint operations command and a distinct special forces directorate. The Territorial Command oversees the active reserves and regional military commands that correspond to each of Czechia’s 13 regions and the capital city, Prague (2025).
Military deployments
up to 130 Lithuania (NATO); 130 Slovakia (NATO) (2024)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Czech Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Force, Special Forces (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-28 years of age for voluntary military service for both men and women; conscription was abolished in 2004 (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The Czech military utilizes a combination of domestically manufactured, Soviet-era, and more recently sourced modern weaponry and equipment from suppliers including France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United States. Its domestic defense industry is responsible for producing items such as armored combat vehicles and light attack aircraft (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 28,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
5 (2024 est.)
refugees
392,198 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
588 (2024 est.)
