I’ve mentioned my concern about the ridiculously low birth rates throughout Europe before, especially in relationship to the high birth rates of immigrants here. Well it would seem that in Czech we are having somewhat of a baby boom. One of the things I’ve noticed since moving back, 10 months, ago was the amount of pregnant women and baby carriages I see on the streets. It seemed way higher. Well sure enough, the birth rate is spiking a little here right now. I’m sure it isn’t enough to counter act the amount of elderly that will be passing away in the years ahead, but at least we are moving in the right direction. In fact, I read an article entitled Crowded Prague Maternity Hospitals Curb Admissions. What the heck does that mean? Well they are actually turning Moms-to-be away because of overcrowding! Here is what one of the hospital website’s had up on their site:
“We are warning mothers that until 6 January 2009 our capacity is full and for that reason we cannot admin any more mothers for the moment.”
Wow! So many pregnant moms and babies the hospitals can’t handle the sheer volume! Here are the actual statistics:
Childbirths in the country are steadily on the rise, reaching 114,500 in 2007. The total fertility rate rose to 1.44 children per woman in childbearing age.
Another article (Czech population reaches new high) I read points out that with the higher birthrate, and immigration, the Czech Republic has reached its highest population (10,349,372) since the end of the 1980’s. All this confirms my passion for being here in this city. The population is increasing, the economy is growing and Prague’s Europe-wide influence is growing. It is as I’ve said, “Reach the Heart, Reach the Whole!”