Prague, Aug 17 (CTK) – Every 25th Czech is over 80, while it was every 40th 25 years ago, according to a report on the development of main economic and social indicators published by the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs.
Last year, there were 418,700 Czechs over the age of 80, 1.6 more than in 1990.
The number of people over 80 was growing in the first half of the 1990s, but then it was falling as weak cohorts born during World War One reached the age.
In 1998, the Czech Republic had the lowest number of population over 80 over the past 25 years, 234,300.
Since then, the numbers have been steadily rising, though at a lower pace in recent years due to the weak cohorts born during the Great Depression on the 1930s.
Last year, every 20th woman in the Czech Republic was over 80, while it was every 30th 25 years ago. When it comes to men, it was every 37th last year and every 67th in 1990.
In 1990, there were 183,000 women over 80 and the figure surged to over 281,000 by last year. The figures for men rose from 76,100 to 137,200.
The growing longevity will have a rising impact. According to a demographic forecast, up to 216,700 and 376,600 women may be aged over 80 in 2025, while the total population number will be about 10.6 million.
By the mid-21st century, every ninth Czech may be over 80.
Experts say the growing proportion of people in high age will be the most important demographic change in the century.
Some sociologists are speaking about the society of elderly or society of widows.
According to the government plans for the preparation for population ageing, a sufficient offer of services will have to ensure that the elderly may live independently and stay in their own milieu as long as possible.
The pension system must react to this as well. According to the conclusions of a pension commission, Czechs are likely to spend roughly one-fourth of their lives retired.
