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JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

COMPARISON OF DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE
SLOVAK REPUBLIC AND THEIR INTERCONNECTION WITH THE LABOR MARKET

JÚLIA KOSTROVÁ,

KATARÍNA ŠKROVÁNKOVÁ,

PATRIK BULKO

Alexander Dubček University in Trenčin, Faculty of Social and

Economic Relations,

Študentská 3, 911 50 Trenčín, Slovakia

Alexander Dubček University in Trenčin, Faculty of Social and

Economic Relations,

Študentská 3, 911 50 Trenčín, Slovakia

Alexander Dubček University in Trenčin, Faculty of Social and

Economic Relations,

Študentská 3, 911 50 Trenčín, Slovakia

email:

julia.kostrova@tnuni.sk,

katarina.skrovankova@tnuni.sk

patrik.bulko@tnuni.sk

Abstract: When it comes to the development of society, it speaks of its demographic
structure. It has a large impact on the population living in their age distribution,
fertility and birth rates, mortality, gender distribution, education, and various other
demographic indicators. These have a direct interconnection on the labor market and
its indicators.

One of the problems are predicted statistics that predict that the

structure of the demographic composition of the population will continue to change
and population inflows into the post-productive age and the decline in the working-age
population. Another problem is the migration of productive population abroad, and
increasing the gap of missing the work force.

Keywords: Czech Republic, demography, labor market, sectors of national economy
Slovakia

1 Introduction

Continuous changes in society development are a natural act
caused by several factors. The most important factors inducing
changes

within society are, particularly, demographic

development influenced not only by natural movement of the
population, the political organization of the state, the educational
level of the population, the level of innovation and the level of
social and health security directly affecting the quality of life.

In recent years, unfavorable demographic development has often
been spoken of, as one of main causes of the aging problem and
its connection with the labor market. Worldwide differences in
social, economic and population development have been
increasing. Differences in development could be seen also in the
two chosen countries, the Czech and Slovak Republic which
until 1993´ were parts of the Czechoslovak Republic.

This paper offers a comprehensive view on the development of
demographic indicators in the Czech and Slovak Republic.
Based on analyzes of demographic indicators, we would like to
point at the prediction of the situation in the labor market,
especially in terms of the predispositions of both countries. Via
this paper we will point mainly to the ability to adapt state-
supplied services not only to current, but also to future needs of
their citizens.

2 Theoretical Background

The problem of demographic development and its connection
with the labor market is currently the main theme of an
increasing number of authors who confirm this to be a globally
dangerous phenomenon due to its topicality and seriousness.

Continuous changes in the demographic structure of the
population are a natural part of social development. These
changes negatively influence the policy of employment (Strunz,

Vojtovič, 2014)

The Czech and Slovak Republics are, by their territorial
assumptions as well as their economic structure focused mainly
on the primary and secondary sector of the national economy.
These countries could be considered as rural landscapes,
regarding their administrative, territorial, and demographic point
of view. In addition to the primary and secondary sector, the
national economy as a historically established set of economic
subjects and economic relations, is divided into the tertiary and

quaternary sector. Primary sector of the national economy
includes agriculture, forestry, and mining. A lot of activities of
secondary sector include activities in processing industry.
Territorial and quaternary sector are defined as sectors of
services, while the quaternary sector includes education,
research, science, or medicine activities (Vincúr, 2001).

The current trends in demographic development in the Slovak
Republic are manifested in the form of slight population growth

but also in population aging (Benkovičová, 2009).

Aging is a global demographic process that results from the
previous economic and social development of the society

(Vojtovič, Krajňáková, 2016).

The social trend of population aging suggests that, currently, the
most numerous part of the population in these countries is
formed by the citizens of the 55+ age group. If this problem is
connected to the decline in birth rate or to migration, we will
need to think about who will be working, if this subject leaves
the labor market. With dominance of aging (as a component of
labor market) and its necessity, we consider them a risky and
most endangered group despite its stability, long-term work
experiences or willingness to work for lower wage rates

(Krajňáková,Vojtovič, 2017).

Demography is also associated with migration. It is a worldwide
phenomenon, which is observable also in Czech and Slovak
conditions. The migration of working-age people is an
increasing problem for many countries. One of the most serious
problems related to migration is the emigration of students who
leave for foreign schools. These students (graduates) mostly stay
living abroad also at their working-age, which means that the
home country loses potential of creators of values (

Grenčíková,

Španková, 2016).

On the other hand, foreign migration experts in the V4 countries,
which include both the Czech and Slovak Republic, think that
the improvement in social and economic situation of these
countries, especially in labor market, makes these countries more

interesting for immigrants from other countries (Skibiński,

Rączaszek, 2017). These immigrants could slowly fill the gap on
the labor market which was caused mainly by the demographic
development of society.

In addition to the negative demographic trends in both countries
we must speak also about negative trend in labor market related
to relatively high unemployment rate, which is one of the most

serious problems of the current economy (Krajčo, 2014).

3. Comparison of demographic indicators in the Czech
Republic and the Slovak Republic and their interconnection
with the labor market

The current situation in labor market is undoubtedly a reflection
of the political and socio-economic situation. The next part of
the paper will focus on the comprehensive assessment of current
demographic trends in Czech and Slovak republic related to
conditions and position of employees on the labor market.

Figure 1 interprets the population development of the countries
from 2000 to 2020.

Both analyzed countries have had a slight

increase in population over the period under review. Similarly,
this trend should continue until 2020. In the Czech Republic,
population should increase by 241 734 inhabitants in 2020,
compared to the beginning of the monitored period. In the
Slovak Republic there should be an increase of 189 963
inhabitants at the same period.

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