Czech population over 65 to rise by one million by 2050

The number of Czechs over 65 is expected to increase by one million by 2050, according to the calculations of the Czech Statistical Office. There are currently about 1.5 million people over 65 living in the Czech Republic, which has a population of 10 million. Their share is expected to make up almost one quarter of the population by 2030 and one third by 2050.

The Czech cabinet on Monday approved a pension reform bill that would gradually increase the retirement age to 65 years. At present males usually retire at the age of 61, childless females at the age of 60 and mothers earlier, according to the number of children. The reform bill also wants to extend the obligatory social insurance period to 35 years. Under the new bill, mothers of two or more children would still have a chance to retire earlier.

Author: Ruth Fraňková