Let’s get to the current numbers first. We will get to why the Czech Republic needs migrants and that it will pay off for us right away.
Legal migration 2023
As of December 31, 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior, a total of 1,065,740 persons of foreign nationality were registered in the territory of the Czech Republic, of which 341,111 were based on a temporary residence permit, 349,995 were based on a permanent residence permit, and 375,021 were registered on the basis of temporary protection. The significant increase in the number of foreigners on the territory of the Czech Republic is mainly due to the issuing of temporary protection to nationals of Ukraine who are fleeing the war in their country.
In terms of absolute numbers, more than half are citizens of Ukraine (54%), Slovaks (11%) and Vietnamese (6%). They are followed by Russians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Poles and Germans.
Economic reality
To think of the Czech Republic as an island of simple migrants is completely out of line with reality. Why?
It is important to realize that if the country theoretically gets rid of economic migrants, it does not mean that the domestic population will take their place, due to the nature of the jobs that are most often occupied by migrants. Because the problem with jobs being filled by immigrants is not that no one is doing them, but that no one wants to do them for the same money as immigrants. Plus…
The Czech Republic and Europe desperately need migrants
Europe desperately needs immigrants. The demographic deficit is in sight. Simply put, too few children are being born in Europe today to sustain ongoing social security systems to care for an aging population.
The facts
The most discussed Ukrainian refugees contribute more to the state coffers than they receive in total.
The state collects more from Ukrainian refugees’ labor levies than it pays them. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the state earned three billion crowns in the first three months of 2024 from war refugees who found work in the Czech Republic.
So the talk about the fact that Ukrainians don’t even have a crown anymore, as demonstrated by Okamura, for example, is obvious nonsense, because it is Ukrainian refugees who earn his salary.
That Ukrainian refugees do not work and only take benefits is a lie
Up to 80% of Ukrainian refugees are economically active. The failure is that these are mostly highly educated women who do jobs that do not correspond to their qualifications and profession.
And that the EU migration pact threatens and destroys us? That’s bullshit.
The approval of the migration pact has given rise to a lot of half-truths and complete nonsense from populists. Reality is different. Not only does it not contain refugee quotas, but as a result, the migration pact will facilitate checks on migrants and speed up their eventual rejection and return to their country of origin.
And finally, something important, especially for the discussion about Ukrainians.
Context
As stated by People in Need, full-fledged Russian invasion to Ukraine caused, among other things, the largest forced migration in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Up to a third of the population of the attacked country gradually started to move. Two years after the outbreak of the conflict, ten million Ukrainians remain outside their homes. At least three and a half million remain displaced within Ukraine itself. More than six million refugees have found refuge abroad, not only in Europe but also overseas.
