Economy overview: As one of the most stable and prosperous post-communist countries, the Czech Republic has since 1999 begun to recover from the economic downturn. In 2000, economic growth was about 2.5% and should pick up somewhat in 2001. Growth is supported by increased exports to EU countries, especially Germany, and foreign investment, while domestic demand is gradually picking up. High budget deficits and large negative trade balances are hurting the economy; inflation is moderate. The Czech Republic is right after Poland and Hungary on the list of candidates for EU accession, which should give new impetus and direction to structural reforms. The completion of the privatization of the banking, telecommunications and energy sectors should help attract foreign investment. See businesscarriers.com to know more about Czech Republic Economics and Business. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $132.4 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $12,900 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 3.7%; industry: 41.8%; services: 54.5% (1999). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: per 10% of the poorest families: 4.3%; by the top 10% of families: 22A% (1996). Inflation rate at consumer prices: 3.8% (2000 est.). Inflation rate at consumer prices: Labor force: 5.203 million people. (1999 est.). Employment structure: industry 40%, agriculture 5%, services 55% (2000 est.). Unemployment rate: 8.7% (2000 est.). Budget: revenues: $16.7 billion; expenditures: $18 billion, including capital expenditures – NA (2001 est.). Spheres of economy: metallurgy, production of machinery and equipment, automotive industry, glass industry, arms production. Growth in industrial production: 7.6% (2000 est.). Electricity generation: 67.642 billion kWh (2000) Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 77.8%; hydropower: 3.43%; nuclear fuel: 18.77%; others: 0% (2000). Electricity consumption: 52.898 billion kWh (2000) Electricity export: 18.744 billion kWh (1999) Electricity import: 8.735 billion kWh (1999) Agricultural products: wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruits; pigs, poultry. Export: $28.3 billion (free on board, 2000) Exports: machinery and transport equipment 44%, other manufactured goods 40%, chemicals 7%, raw materials and fuels 7% (1999). Export partners: Germany 43%, Slovakia 8.4%, Austria 6.4%, Poland 5.6%, France 4% (1999). Imports: $31.4 billion (free on board, 2000) Imports: machinery and transport equipment 42%, other manufactured goods 33%, chemicals 12%, raw materials and fuels 10% (1999). Import partners: Germany 37.5%, Slovakia 6.7%, Austria 6.2%, Italy 5.9%, France 5.4% (1999). External debt: $21.3 billion (2000 est.) Recipient of economic assistance: no data. Economic aid donor: Currency: Czech crown. Currency code: CZK. Exchange rate: CZK/USD – 37.425 (January 2001), 38.598 (2000), 34.569 (1999), 32.281 (1998), 31.698 (1997), 27.145 (1996). Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 3.869 million (2000). Mobile cell phones: 4.346 million (2000) Telephone system: The privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunications system started late but progressed fairly quickly; especially vigorous growth in the number of mobile cellular users; domestic: 86% digital traffic, existing wired network supplemented with ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) equipment for digital signal transmission and Internet access, trunk communication systems include fiber optic cable and microwave radio relay; international: satellite ground stations – 2 Intersputnik (regions of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans), 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar. Broadcast stations: AM – 31, FM – 304, shortwave – 17 (2000). Radios: 3,159,134 (December 2000). Television broadcast stations: 150 (and 1,343 repeaters) (2000). TVs: 3,405,834 (December 2000). Internet country code: cz Internet providers: more than 300 (2000). Number of users: 900,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 9,444 km; standard gauge: 9,350 km (1.435 m gauge) (2,843 km electrified; 1,929 km dual gauge); narrow gauge: 94 km (0.760 m gauge) (2000). Roads: total: 55,432 km; paved: 55,432 km (including 499 km of expressways); unpaved: 0 km (2000). Waterways: 303 km; Laba is the most important river (2000). Pipelines: for natural gas -3,550 km (2000). Ports and harbors: Decin, Prague, Usti. Merchant Marine: Airports: 114 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 43; over 3,047 m: 2; from 2438 to 3047 m: 10; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14; from 914 to 1523 m:1; less than 914 m: 16 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 71; from 1524 to 2437 m:1; from 914 to 1523 m:28; less than 914 m: 42 (2000 est.). Helipads: 1 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: army, air and anti-aircraft forces, civil defense forces, railway units. Enlistment age: 18 years old. Total Military Manpower: Male 15 to 49: 2,653,456 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 2,024,070 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: male: 69,393 (2001 est.). Military spending in dollar terms: $1.2 billion (2001) Military spending as part of GDP: 2.2% (2001).
International Issues
International issues International disputes: the princely family of Liechtenstein demands the return of 1,600 square kilometers that were confiscated from the princely family in 1918; individual Sudeten Germans demand the return of property confiscated after their expulsion at the end of World War II; Austria has some grievances with the Czech Republic regarding nuclear power plants and the treatment of the German-speaking minority after World War II. Illicit drugs: an important transit point on the way to Western Europe for heroin from Southwest Asia and a minor one for cocaine from Latin America; domestic consumption, especially of locally produced synthetic drugs, is on the rise.
