In the Czech Republic, employment patterns are changing as workers leave agriculture and industry to enter the service sector.
The fastest-growing areas in recent years have been healthcare and social services, driven by an aging population. Over the last two decades, jobs in information and communication services have surged by 84%, while healthcare and social services grew by 43%, reflecting increased demand for elderly care.
Conversely, employment in agriculture has fallen by one-third during the same period, and the mining industry has seen an even steeper decline, losing two-thirds of its workforce.
This trend shows a long-term reduction in jobs within declining industries, accompanied by a shift toward more skilled occupations.
Public administration and defense have remained the most stable sectors, with workforce numbers largely steady despite minor fluctuations over 20 years.
Higher skill levels are generally linked to better wages, which also correlate with education. Managers and specialists earn salaries that often far exceed the average, while 65% of workers earn less than this benchmark.
Regional wage disparities persist, with Prague offering significantly higher salaries than other parts of the country. The capital city hosts corporate headquarters, specialized roles, and a concentration of highly skilled workers, with the number of employees holding higher education degrees in Prague several times greater than in regions like Ústí or Karlovy Vary. For unskilled jobs, however, the wage gap between Prague and other regions is relatively small.
