In the last two decades we could identify dramatic changes in reproductive behavior in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. One of the major changes is an end in the negative development of mortality and a gradual improvement in mortality conditions.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that the position of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, especially compared to most states of the former Western Bloc, is relatively weak. The aim of this paper is mainly to analyze the causes of this lagging behind, to identify the position of Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the European area and also to demonstrate existing reserves for the future development of mortality.