Introduction

The aim of the project is to construct cohort life tables for the populations living on the territory of the current Czech Republic from 1870 (31.12.1869 the first modern census) up to the most recent period. The generation (cohort) life tables will consist of observed life lengths (uncensored observations) of birth cohorts already extinct and incomplete life durations (censored data) of more recent birth cohorts. Incomplete lifetimes will be modeled for unknown remaining lengths of life. Taking into account the upper limit of age 100+ years, we obtain 40 complete birth cohorts (people born 1870–1910). Special attention will be given to peculiar birth cohorts, people born during world wars and periods of economic crises.

The project will be divided into three subsections:

  1. data collection,
  2. life table construction, and
  3. methodological documentation and examination of main trends.

Data as well as life table functions will be tested for consistency and reliability. All results, data, life tables, and all descriptions and elementary analyses will be prepared in an electronic format and put on the website in order to be available to public.

The research outputs will provide new original information in regards to mortality pattern of birth cohorts in the Czech Republic and will be used for further research and analyses. Only cohort data enable deeper knowledge about survival conditions of individual birth cohorts. It could bring us closer to the understanding of the mortality trends and generational differences. The cohort life tables which, (unlike period life tables), correctly measure the number of years to be lived, can be used in formulating strategies for pension reforms and health policies. Finally, the usage of cohort approach in studying mortality will bring greater reputation to the Czech demographic school/society worldwide and therefore, improve the prestige of demography and institutions where demography is studied in the Czech Republic (Charles University in Prague, Prague University of Economics and Business).