What is the “typical Czech” really like? Solvo survey reveals our passions and vices
What matters most to Czechs? What do they strive for and what do they fear? Are we really the most atheist nation on the planet? The “Czechs 2026” survey, conducted by the Solvo Institute mapped the values, attitudes, and concerns of Czechs. The study involved more than a thousand people across the Czech Republic.
The most comprehensive survey on the subject to date suggests that the “typical Czech” is family-oriented, more of an introvert and a practical person who does not stand out, values family life, loves humor, distrusts authority—and at the same time is loyal when things get tough.
The typical Czech prefers comfort over elegance. They think more practically than ideologically, rely on “common sense,” and simplify complex issues. Humor and irony are not just entertainment for them, but a way of coping with uncertainty and external pressure.
Czechs often appear to be rather reserved people who carefully guard their privacy. However, in crisis situations, they rally together and prove to be loyal and supportive.
Czech also view themselves critically: they want to live well, but often admit they will not do more than the necessary minimum to achieve it.
For more than 80 percent of Czechs, the most important value is family, which they place above the state.
Family first and foremost
In the eyes of Czechs, family represents fundamental stability. For 82 percent of people, it is the most important value, and 88 percent agree that it is more important than the state. Family is concrete and understandable, while the state remains abstract.
Czechs are willing to make major decisions because of their family—61 percent would give up their career, and 54 percent would move abroad. Family thus functions as the basic unit of trust.
Eighty percent of respondents believe that the state should support families, not define them. Exactly four-fifths of respondents reject state interference in family life.
National pride is neither everyday nor ostentatious
National pride is neither everyday nor ostentatious, but it has not disappeared. More than half of people feel it at least occasionally, and 47 percent reject the claim that it is outdated. Czechs are most often proud of their culture and history (39 percent), sporting achievements (34 percent), or the famed “golden Czech hands” (30 percent). However, this pride tends to surface in specific situations rather than as a constant attitude.
Alongside pride, however, there is strong self-criticism. The greatest sense of shame is not directed at the state, but at one another. People most often point to bad behavior (46 percent), envy (33 percent), aggressiveness and arrogance (29 percent), or indifference (23 percent).
Society thus sees itself as functional overall, but problematic in interpersonal relations.
European belonging and migration
“We are primarily Czechs, but we are happy to be in the European Union because of the advantages it affords.” This sums up attitudes toward Czech identity and European belonging.
When it comes to migration, opinions are more or less evenly split. Half are welcoming and recognize how important migrants are for the Czech economy. Others are often bothered by immigrants not integrating in the life and culture of the county and have concerns about security threats and crime in connection with migration. Two-fifths of people are wary of Islam or have concerns about it.
Czechs generally appreciate foreigners who come here to work, respect the local way of life and culture and those who make an attempt to learn the language. As neighbors, they do not mind living next to Slovaks, Americans, or Germans; but would prefer not to live next to Afghans, Arabs, and more recently Russians.
Is Czech atheism a myth?
By a strict reading of the numbers, Czechs might appear to be atheists—only three out of ten practice some religion. However, only one third of respondents are atheists by conviction. All the others believe in something, they are just not organized within a church. Respondents attribute a negative reputation to churches: a desire for property, aggressive promotion of faith, and an effort to interfere too much in people’s lives. Nearly three-quarters consider faith to be a very intimate matter that they do not want to share.
In a nutshell
The survey showed that “the typical Czech” is family-oriented, rather introvert and relies on common sense, humor, irony, and the ability to adapt. They are great dog and cat lovers, passionate about their hobbies and gardening. They will have a country cottage where they spend weekends. They dislike authority, are unwilling to organize within churches. They like to travel but will often tell you “there is no place like home”. Although they appear to be reserved, they stick together in times of trouble and are supportive friends.
Typical attributes: Skoda Fabia car, flat in housing estate, country cottage, outdoor wear, beer lover
Czechs admit that they could generally praise themselves more and criticize and belittle themselves less. Complaining is a national sport.
This is how the results of the Solvo Institute’s Czechs 2026 survey describe the “typical Czech.” It builds on previous studies focused on specific groups of the population and seeks to capture a picture of Czech society as a whole.
“In the past, we carried out several detailed studies that led us to focus on the Czech Republic today. They were about women, men, children, Generation Z. We received a lot of feedback and additional questions, so we became interested in how all these categories actually function within Czech society as a whole,” explains Ivana Tykač, founder of the Solvo Institute, on why the Czechs 2026 survey was created.
“We feel it is important to say who we are, what we want, and what we can expect from one another,” she added, noting that she herself was surprised at how highly Czechs value family, placing it first. This is followed by work and career, and then freedom and hobbies.
The Solvo Institute is a Czech think tank focused on researching society and seeking practical solutions to its problems. It was established with the ambition of identifying what unites Czech society, what values it shares, and where its potential remains untapped. In addition to analysis, it also aims to bring forward concrete proposals for change based on data. The institute focuses on topics such as the role of women in society, the quality of childhood, societal resilience, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
The institute was founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ivana Tykač at the turn of 2023 and 2024, together with other public figures.
