Demography
Development of the Plzen population is closely tied to the industrial boom in the city. A considerable growth in the number of inhabitants came in the 19th century, namely between 1869 and 1890, following the expansion of Skoda Works and of other industrial enterprises. The population was increasing relatively dynamically until the end of the 19th century and then in the first third of the 20th century. After World War II, the number of inhabitants decreases due to the transfer of German population and migration of residents to the borderland.
The second half of the 20th century is at first remarkable for a rapid increase in population. New housing estates were built with a large quantity of prefabbed flats housed by people from the wide surroundings of Plzen. However, a stagnation began in 1980s and later on even a decline in the number of inhabitants which was apparently caused by the changed demographic behaviour of the population in general as well as by a diminishing quantity of flats finished by sanitating and re-constructing objects in the centre of the city. By the end of 2003, Plzen-city had a population of ca. 164 000 inhabitants.
AN OVERVIEW ACCORDING TO AGE
(Plzen-city - as of 31 December 2003)
| Age group | Total | % | Male | % | Female | % |
| 0 - 14 | 21,793 | 13.3 | 11,098 | 14.1 | 10,695 | 12.5 |
| (Men/women) 15 - 64 | 116,792 | 71.1 | 57,587 | 72.9 | 59,205 | 69.5 |
| (Men/women) 65 + | 25,595 | 15.6 | 10,281 | 13.0 | 15,314 | 18.0 |
THE POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE
(Plzen-city as of 31 December 2003)
(Women/Men)
LABOUR FORCE
| Total number of inhabitants active in the economy as of 1 March 2001 - Plzen-city | |
| Total | 87,065 |
| Of which | |
| Men | 46,737 |
| Women | 40,328 |
| Economic activity according to branches | |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishery | 808 |
| Industry | 22,097 |
| Construction industry | 7,142 |
| Trade, repairs of motor vehicles and consumer goods | 10,514 |
| Catering and accommodation | 3,092 |
| Transportation, postal services and telecommunications | 6,585 |
| Banking and insurance | 2,207 |
| Real estate activities, services for companies, research | 5,624 |
| Public administration, defence, social security | 6,090 |
| Schools, health services, veterinary and social activities | 11,847 |
| Other public and personal services | 4,933 |
| Other industries | 6,126 |
| UNEMPLOYMENT as of 31 July 2004 - City of Plzen | |
| Rate of unemployment | 6.90% |
| Number of unemployed people | 6,655 |
| Of which women | 3,601 |
| Current information on the development of unemployment | |
| For more information, see Urad prace Plzen (Labour Office Plzen) | |
Source: Urad prace Plzen (The Labour Office Plzen), Cesky statisticky urad (Czech Statistical Office), regional representation Plzen, Census of people, houses and flats as of 1 March 2001, city of Plzen