Data Analysis and Related Applications, Volume 2

17Demography and Policies in V4 Countries

This chapter deals with the analysis of recent and currently-planned policies in relation to demographic development in the countries of the Visegrad Group (V4). V4 is an alliance of four Central European countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

In addition to analyzing the current and recent situation, this chapter also deals with estimates of future fertility and mortality levels in these countries. It shows there are quite significant differences in the political laws in the natalist policy and in the pension system of individual countries and, at the same time, places them in the context of the future further aging of populations, which can be, based on projections, expected in all of the Visegrad countries.

17.1. Introduction

As the name suggests, the Visegrad Four regional group (abbreviated as V4) includes four Central European countries – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The group was established in 1991 based on a declaration signed by the V4 member countries, the aim of which is to cooperate on a common path to European integration. The task of the group is mainly the modernization of public administration, its information and educational systems. Following the accession of all V4 countries to the European Union in 2004, the group has focused on promoting cooperation and stability in the Central European countries (MVCR 2019).

This chapter describes the demographic situation in ...