Cover of a Czech language textbook for Russian speakers
As Radio Prague reports, the presented document states that more than half – 53% of Russians living in the Czech Republic – have permanent residence in the country. The main purpose of their stay in the country for many years continues to be the desire to obtain an education, as well as family reunification. Among the reasons why survey participants prefer living in the Czech Republic over Russia, the most frequently cited are corruption in Russia and the nature of relations between citizens and the state, gender discrimination, and the problem of alcoholism among Russian men. In the Czech Republic, they are attracted by a higher standard of living and healthcare.
Half of the Russian residents of the Czech Republic are women, which is an exception compared to other national minorities settled in Czech towns and villages, where the overwhelming majority are men. At the same time, two-fifths of Russian citizens living in the Czech Republic are young people under 25. In local schools in 2014, 1,263 children with Russian citizenship were studying, and in universities, according to the latest data, 4,500 Russian students are receiving education. The highest concentration of Russian citizens on Czech territory is in Prague.
In the labor market in the Czech Republic, unemployment among Russians is virtually absent. However, only a fifth of Russian citizens have an employment contract, which is the lowest rate compared to other nationalities living in the country. This also affects low rates of use of the social support system. It is mainly used only by parents during parental leave. According to the study, a high level of education provides Russian citizens in the Czech Republic with well-paid jobs.
As for proficiency in the Czech language, Russians in the Czech Republic also show the best results among other groups of foreigners. Between 2011 and 2014, a tenth of Russians living in the Czech Republic passed the mandatory state exam for obtaining Czech citizenship. Statistics from language schools show that Russian citizens are among the most successful students in mastering the state language of the country. As the authors of the study emphasize, in this regard there is a significant desire to adapt to the Czech environment.
The study also showed that some Russian citizens living in the Czech Republic feel discrimination against themselves. Respondents attribute this mainly to the echo of the period of normalization in Czechoslovakia, as well as to the current state of politics in the Russian Federation.