Number of foreign employees in Czechia sees massive growth in 2023

The number of foreign employees in the Czech Republic grew by almost 30,700 in 2023, reaching over 823,900 in December, according to data from the country's labor offices. That's roughly 2.5 times more than at the end of 2015, with more than a third coming from Ukraine.

According to the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), the total number of employees in the Czech Republic in the first three quarters of last year was 4.23 million. Foreign workers accounted for close to one-fifth of that total.

Their numbers on the Czech labor market have been rising steadily. At the end of last year, labor offices registered a total of 823,945 foreigners employed in the Czech Republic. Of these, nearly 409,800 came from EU countries.

A total of 285,545 employees came from Ukraine: 149,500 women and 136,000 men. Slovaks made up the second largest group, with 216,200 employed in the Czech Republic at the end of 2023.

"The Czech Republic is aging. The number of seniors is rising while the number and share of people of working age will decrease," said Marian Jurečka, the Czech labor minister.

"Economists point out that labor shortages are a major obstacle to economic growth in the country, and the Czech Republic cannot do without migrant workers," he added.

According to CSU statistics, the foreign workers' share has been gradually increasing. In 2010, foreigners made up 5.5 percent of the workforce. By 2019, the share tripled to 15 percent. Last year, it was close to one-fifth, according to available data.

The Czech Republic has long had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU. Companies complain of labor shortages and push for more workers from abroad. Last year, the government increased relevant quotas. Jurečka recently said the cabinet may discuss further increases this year if needed.

The Labor Ministry's proposed amendment on employment introduces a new system for hiring foreign workers that would make it easier for vetted employers. A points system would evaluate applicants based on education, experience, language skills, earnings, and tax/social contributions paid. Easier Czech labor market access would be granted to highly qualified individuals and in-demand professions.