1,103 people age over 100 live in Czech

PRAGUE - A total of 1,103 people, including 920 women and 183 men, aged 100 or more live in the Czech Republic now, an authority spokeswoman said Monday.

"This January, the CSSZ paid out pensions to 1,103 elderly people aged 100 and more," said Czech Social Security Administration (CSSZ) spokeswoman Jana Buranova, adding further 466 people are to turn 100 this year.

Among these old people, the oldest is a woman who lives in the Moravia-Silesia region and was born in 1904. The oldest man was born in 1905 and comes from the Hradec Kralove region, east Bohemia.

The number of Czech inhabitants aged 100 and more has been rising in the 10.5-million population country. Those who are to celebrate their 100th birthday this year include 373 women and 93 men.

The Czech society is ageing. Demographers say the increasing number of people in a very high age is the biggest demographic change ahead. In the mid-century, the Czech society might include some 13,000 people over 100, and almost 19,700 in 2065, demographic data indicate.

After turning 100, people's monthly pension increases to cover the more demanding health and social care. The rise of pensions for those over 100 was introduced in 1969. In the past two decades, the additional sum going to these category of seniors gradually rose from 400 crowns ($20) to the present 2,000.