Czechia

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Czechia).

Czechia is a landlocked country in Central Europe and home to around 10.6 million people. More than a tenth of the population, 1.3 million people, live in the capital city of Prague. Living standards have improved in recent year, but still vary according to regions. Roughly 26% of the nation’s inhabitants live in rural communities, while 74% live in urban centres. Children and young people living in urban areas have better access to schooling, healthcare, and training.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Czechia since 1970.

Children are at risk

Children and young people under 18 make up 19% of the population, this constitutes almost 2 million people. When children are placed in care, it is often because their families face extreme poverty and are unable to care for their children. Czechia ranks among the countries with the highest number of institutionalized children in Europe. Currently there still are more than 300 institutions in the country
1 in 14
Young people are unemployed in Czechia

Education

Young people are more likely to experience unemployment in Czechia with the youth unemployment rate twice the national average at around 7%. In addition, around 7% of young people are not in education, employment or training. Young people who are out of work or training have decreased well-being and greater social isolation. They also lack opportunities to gain and improve their skills.

1 in 5
Children live in poverty in Czechia

Poverty

Almost 10% of the population lives in income poverty, However, Czech households with children are more likely to experience poverty, meaning that children are disproportionately affected. Social deprivation caused by living in poverty has long-term consequences for the physical and psychological health of children. It also affects their development and educational outcomes.

1 in 8
Children live in inadequate housing in Czechia

Housing

Housing in Czechia is the least affordable in Europe. Due to a lack of social housing for low-income families, at least 1.5 million people live in inadequate housing conditions, of which 250,000 are children. Inadequate housing means some children struggle to maintain their education, while others are at risk of homelessness. This often leads to children living in institutions, where they lack the child-focused care they need.

Together we can make a difference for children in Czechia

200
Families
Can stay together
60
Children
Grow up in our care
2
Children and young people
Are supported on their way to independence
SOS Children’s Villages works to protect the rights and privacy of children. As you may notice, we do not show any identifiable photos of children in general information about Czechia. This is because we have limited permission from the children and/or their legal guardians (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Czechia).

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives