The Czech Republic

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons:
2010: see chart

World Factbook: "he Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment."

Unemployment rate
2010: 7.1%
2009: 9.3%
2008: 5.4%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
1996: top ten percent of population, 22.4%; bottom ten percent, 4.3%

Public debt
2010: 40% of GDP
2009: 32.8% of GDP
2008: 26.8% of GDP

Budget:
2010: revenues: $77.9 billion, 88.65% of expenditures ($87.87 billion), 29.6% of GDP.

Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP
2007: 1.46%

People

Living in an urban area
2010: 74%
2008: 73%

Migration
2011: More arriving than leaving, a net gain of 0.97 persons per 1,000 population.

Religion
Atheist 39.8 percent, Roman Catholic 39.2 percent, Protestant 4.6 percent, Other 13.4 percent.

Geography

Central Europe, southeast of Germany. Landlocked.

Government

Parliamentary democracy. Capital: Prague

Recent History

In 2004 Supermodel Petra Nemcova is injured during the tsunami in Thailand. She has Ingrid Bergman's charm and good diction -- different from the impression one gathers from her pouting and narrowness of face in swimsuit photos.