Country Profile: Czechia

Czechia, located in Central Europe, is bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. The country has a population of approximately 10.8 million people and exhibits a diverse, high-income economy driven largely by manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Czechia transitioned from a communist regime after the Velvet Revolution, becoming a prominent member of NATO and the European Union since the early 2000s.

Geography

Czechia is a landlocked country characterized by rolling plains and low mountains, with the highest point being Snezka at 1,602 meters. The country has a temperate climate with cool summers and cold, humid winters. Natural resources include hard coal, soft coal, and arable land, while agricultural land accounts for approximately 45.8% of the total area.

Area: 78,867 sq km
Land boundaries: 2,046 km
Climate: Temperate
Natural hazards: Flooding
Major rivers: Labe (Elbe) River, 1,252 km

People and Society

The population of Czechia is estimated to be about 10.8 million as of 2025, with a diverse ethnic composition. The predominant language is Czech, and the country experiences a low birth rate coupled with a significant proportion of people identifying as unaffiliated with any religion. Urbanization is high, with 74.6% of the population living in urban areas.

Population (2025 est.): 10,838,703
Urban population: 74.6%
Median age: 44.4 years
Life expectancy: 78.6 years
Total fertility rate: 1.73 children/woman (2025 est.)

Economy

Czechia has a high-income, diversified economy with a focus on manufacturing and exports, primarily in the automotive sector. The country achieved energy independence from Russian oil in April 2025 and enjoys a low unemployment rate. Economic growth is modestly driven by household consumption and investment, despite a negative contribution from net exports.

Real GDP (PPP, 2024 est.): $521.928 billion
Unemployment rate (2024 est.): 2.6%
GDP growth rate (2024 est.): 1.1%
GDP per capita (PPP, 2024 est.): $48,000
Public debt: 36.8% of GDP (2016)

Government

Czechia operates as a parliamentary republic, with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The country has a bicameral legislature and upholds a constitution that has been in effect since 1993. Citizens enjoy universal suffrage at age 18, and the country's political landscape includes several active parties.

Capital: Prague
Government type: Parliamentary republic
Latest constitution amendment: December 16, 1992
Political parties: Includes ANO, ODS, and Czech Pirate Party
Independence Day: January 1, 1993

Military and Security

Czechia maintains a military force capable of both national defense and international peacekeeping contributions as a NATO member. The military consists of land, air, and special forces, with approximately 28,000 active personnel. Military expenditures are set at 2% of GDP, reflecting a commitment to defense.

Military personnel (2025): 28,000
Military expenditures (2025 est.): 2% of GDP
Operational nuclear reactors: 6 (2025 est.)
Military deployments: Up to 130 in Lithuania and Slovakia (NATO)
Military service age: 18-28 years for voluntary service

Energy

Czechia has achieved 100% electrification for its population, with a diverse energy mix including fossil fuels and nuclear power. The country has made significant strides in transitioning its energy sources, contributing to its independence from Russian oil.

Installed generating capacity: 21.802 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 63.628 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Coal consumption: 33.239 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy production: 40% of total electricity in 2023
Electricity access: 100% (2022 est.)

Environment

Czechia faces environmental challenges, notably air and water pollution in industrial regions. The country is a participant in various international environmental agreements, aiming to combat issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

Urban population: 74.6% (2023)
Total water withdrawal: 626 million cubic meters municipal (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 79.901 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Solid waste generated annually: 5.335 million tons (2024 est.)
Forest area: 38.2% of total land (2023 est.)

Transportation

Czechia has a well-developed transportation network, including a robust railway system and numerous airports. It is accessible through various civil transportation mediums, which facilitates both domestic and international travel.

Airports: 252 (2025)
Railways: 9,548 km total, with 3,242 km electrified
Heliports: 107 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code: OK

Communications

Czechia boasts a high level of connectivity, with a significant percentage of the population utilizing the internet and mobile services. The nation supports a diverse media landscape, with numerous television and radio stations.

Internet users: 86% (2023 est.)
Fixed-line telephones: 1.16 million subscriptions (2024 est.)
Mobile cellular telephones: 13.6 million subscriptions (2024 est.)
Broadband subscriptions: 4.1 million (2023 est.)
Telecommunications code: .cz

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,838,703	(2025 est.)
Area	78,867 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$521.928 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	2.6%	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy	78.6 years	(2024 est.)
Birth rate	9.56 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	136.306 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Military personnel	28,000	(2025)
Total fertility rate	1.73 children born/woman	(2025 est.)
Electricity access	100%	(2022 est.)