2013 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2013 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
Slovakia's roots can be traced to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. Subsequently, the Slovaks became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. Following the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (Magyarization) resulted in a strengthening of Slovak nationalism and a cultivation of cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who were under Austrian rule. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939 Slovakia became an independent state allied with Nazi Germany. Following World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and came under communist rule within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro zone on 1 January 2009.
Geography
Area
- 49,035 sq km 48,105 sq km 930 sq km
- total
- 49,035 sq km
- water
- 930 sq km
Area - comparative
about twice the size of New Hampshire
Climate
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation extremes
- Bodrok River 94 m Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
- highest point
- Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
- lowest point
- Bodrok River 94 m
Environment - current issues
air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements
- party to
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified
- none of the selected agreements
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 0.69 cu km/yr (47%/51%/3%) 126.7 cu m/yr (2010)
- per capita
- 126.7 cu m/yr (2010)
- total
- 0.69 cu km/yr (47%/51%/3%)
Geographic coordinates
48 40 N, 19 30 E
Geography - note
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys
Irrigated land
1,720 sq km (2007)
Land boundaries
- 1,474 km Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km
- border countries
- Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km
- total
- 1,474 km
Land use
- 28.36% 0.41% 71.22% (2011)
- arable land
- 28.36%
- other
- 71.22% (2011)
- permanent crops
- 0.41%
Location
Central Europe, south of Poland
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Terrain
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Total renewable water resources
50.1 cu km (2011)
People and Society
Age structure
- 15.5% (male 435,635/female 416,223) 12.6% (male 354,390/female 338,536) 45.1% (male 1,246,625/female 1,229,929) 13.3% (male 344,605/female 384,967) 13.4% (male 278,659/female 458,770) (2013 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 15.5% (male 435,635/female 416,223)
- 15-24 years
- 12.6% (male 354,390/female 338,536)
- 25-54 years
- 45.1% (male 1,246,625/female 1,229,929)
- 55-64 years
- 13.3% (male 344,605/female 384,967)
- 65 years and over
- 13.4% (male 278,659/female 458,770) (2013 est.)
Birth rate
10.27 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
79.8% percent of women aged 15-44 (1997)
Death rate
9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 38.9 % 20.9 % 18 % 5.6 (2013)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 18 %
- potential support ratio
- 5.6 (2013)
- total dependency ratio
- 38.9 %
- youth dependency ratio
- 20.9 %
Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
- rural
- 100% of population
- total
- 100% of population (2010 est.)
- urban
- 100% of population
Education expenditures
4.1% of GDP (2009)
Ethnic groups
Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Health expenditures
9% of GDP (2010)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Infant mortality rate
- 6.35 deaths/1,000 live births 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
- female
- 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
- total
- 6.35 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Life expectancy at birth
- 76.24 years 72.36 years 80.31 years (2013 est.)
- female
- 80.31 years (2013 est.)
- total population
- 76.24 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 99.6% 99.7% 99.6% (2004)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 99.6% (2004)
- male
- 99.7%
- total population
- 99.6%
Major urban areas - population
BRATISLAVA (capital) 428,000 (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 38.4 years 36.9 years 39.9 years (2013 est.)
- female
- 39.9 years (2013 est.)
- male
- 36.9 years
- total
- 38.4 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
27.3 (2010 est.)
Nationality
- Slovak(s) Slovak
- adjective
- Slovak
- noun
- Slovak(s)
Net migration rate
0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
25.4% (2008)
Physicians density
3 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Population
5,488,339 (July 2013 est.)
Population growth rate
0.09% (2013 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population (2010 est.)
- rural
- 1% of population
- total
- 0% of population (2010 est.)
- urban
- 0% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 15 years 14 years 15 years (2011)
- female
- 15 years (2011)
- male
- 14 years
- total
- 15 years
Sex ratio
- 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 0.89 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.39 children born/woman (2013 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 33.2% 33% 33.6% (2011)
- female
- 33.6% (2011)
- total
- 33.2%
Urbanization
- 54.7% of total population (2011) 0.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 54.7% of total population (2011)
Government
Administrative divisions
8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Capital
- Bratislava 48 09 N, 17 07 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- geographic coordinates
- 48 09 N, 17 07 E
- name
- Bratislava
- time difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
several previous (preindependence); latest passed by legislature 1 September 1992, signed 3 September 1992, effective 1 October 1992; amended several times, last in 2011 (2011)
Country name
- Slovak Republic Slovakia Slovenska republika Slovensko
- conventional long form
- Slovak Republic
- conventional short form
- Slovakia
- local long form
- Slovenska republika
- local short form
- Slovensko
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK (since 4 July 2010) Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava [421] (2) 5443-3338 [421] (2) 5441-8861
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK (since 4 July 2010)
- embassy
- Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
- FAX
- [421] (2) 5441-8861
- mailing address
- P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava
- telephone
- [421] (2) 5443-3338
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Peter KMEC (since 17 September 2012) 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 237-1054 [1] (202) 237-6438 Los Angeles, New York
- chancery
- 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Peter KMEC (since 17 September 2012)
- consulate(s) general
- Los Angeles, New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 237-6438
- telephone
- [1] (202) 237-1054
Executive branch
- President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 April 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Robert KALINAK, Peter KAZIMIR, Miroslav LAJCAK (since 4 April 2012), Lubomir VAZNY (since 26 November 2012) Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
- cabinet
- Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
- chief of state
- President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)
- election results
- Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
- elections
- president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president
- head of government
- Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 April 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Robert KALINAK, Peter KAZIMIR, Miroslav LAJCAK (since 4 April 2012), Lubomir VAZNY (since 26 November 2012)
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red derive from the Pan-Slav colors; the Slovakian coat of arms (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white double-barred cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius surmounting three blue hills) is centered over the bands but offset slightly to the hoist side the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Independence
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
- Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of 78 judges - as of 2003 - organized into criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative divisions with 3- and 5-judge panels; Constitutional Court (consists of 13 judges) Supreme Court judge candidates proposed by the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, a 17-member independent body to include the Supreme Court chief justice and presidential and governmental appointees; judges appointed by the president for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Council of the Republic and appointed by the president; judges appointed for 12-year terms regional and district civil courts; Higher Military Court; military district courts; Court of Audit
- highest court(s)
- Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of 78 judges - as of 2003 - organized into criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative divisions with 3- and 5-judge panels; Constitutional Court (consists of 13 judges)
- judge selection and term of office
- Supreme Court judge candidates proposed by the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, a 17-member independent body to include the Supreme Court chief justice and presidential and governmental appointees; judges appointed by the president for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Council of the Republic and appointed by the president; judges appointed for 12-year terms
- subordinate courts
- regional and district civil courts; Higher Military Court; military district courts; Court of Audit
Legal system
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; note - legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal system
Legislative branch
- unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held on 10 March 2012 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - Smer-SD 44.4%, KDH 8.8%, OLaNO 8.6%, Most-Hid 6.9%, SDKU-DS 6.1%, SaS 5.9%, other 19.3%; seats by party - Smer-SD 83, KDH 16, OLaNO 16, Most-Hid 13, SDKU-DS 11, SaS 11
- election results
- percent of vote by party - Smer-SD 44.4%, KDH 8.8%, OLaNO 8.6%, Most-Hid 6.9%, SDKU-DS 6.1%, SaS 5.9%, other 19.3%; seats by party - Smer-SD 83, KDH 16, OLaNO 16, Most-Hid 13, SDKU-DS 11, SaS 11
- elections
- last held on 10 March 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
National anthem
- "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras) Janko MATUSKA/traditional adopted 1993, in use since 1844; the anthem's music is based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku"
- lyrics/music
- Janko MATUSKA/traditional
- name
- "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
National symbol(s)
double-barred cross (Cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius) surmounting three peaks
Political parties and leaders
Bridge or Most-Hid [Bela BUGAR] Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Jan FIGEL] Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO] Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK] Ordinary People and Independent Personalities or OLaNO [Igor MATOVIC] Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Pavol FRESO] Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Ondrej DOSTAL] Nation and Justice - Our Party or NAS [Anna BELOUSOVOVA] Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Jozef DURICA] Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Jozsef BERENYI] People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR] People's Party - Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA] Slovak National Party or SNS [Andrej DANKO]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic Medical Trade Association or LOZ National Union of Employers or RUZ Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Budget
- $30.41 billion $34.4 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $34.4 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $30.41 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-4.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
1.75% (31 December 2011 est.) 1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1 January 2009
Commercial bank prime lending rate
3.47% (31 December 2012 est.) 3.91% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
$2.096 billion (2012 est.) $52.86 million (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$68.44 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $68.61 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
26 (2005) 26.3 (1996)
Economy - overview
Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 after a period of relative stagnation in the early and mid 1990s and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite a general European slowdown. Foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in the automotive and electronic sectors, fueled much of the growth until 2008. Cheap and skilled labor, low taxes, no dividend taxes, a relatively liberal labor code, and a favorable geographical location are Slovakia's main advantages for foreign investors. The economy contracted 5% in 2009 primarily as a result of smaller inflows of FDI and reduced demand for Slovakia''s exports before rebounding in 2010-11, but growth slowed in 2012 due to weakening external demand. The government of Prime Minister Robert FICO in 2012 implemented tax increases on higher-earning individuals and corporations, effectively scrapping Slovakia''s flat tax to help meet budget deficit targets of 4.9% of GDP in 2012 and 3% of GDP in 2013.
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)
Exports
$80.67 billion (2012 est.) $78.5 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery and electrical equipment 35.9%, vehicles 21%, base metals 11.3%, chemicals and minerals 8.1%, plastics 4.9% (2009 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 22.3%, Czech Republic 14.9%, Poland 8.8%, Hungary 7.8%, Austria 7%, France 5.6%, Italy 4.9%, UK 4.1% (2012)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 57.3% 17.6% 21.5% -0.8% 95.6% -90.6% (2012 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 95.6%
- government consumption
- 17.6%
- household consumption
- 57.3%
- imports of goods and services
- -90.6%
- investment in fixed capital
- 21.5%
- investment in inventories
- -0.8%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 3.8% 37% 59.2% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 3.8%
- industry
- 37%
- services
- 59.2% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$24,100 (2012 est.) $23,700 (2011 est.) $22,800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
2% (2012 est.) 3.2% (2011 est.) 4.4% (2010 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$90.67 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$130.5 billion (2012 est.) $127.9 billion (2011 est.) $123.9 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving
23% of GDP (2012 est.) 21.8% of GDP (2011 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 4.4% 22.4% (2009 est.)
- highest 10%
- 22.4% (2009 est.)
- lowest 10%
- 4.4%
Imports
$75.99 billion (2012 est.) $75.1 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and transport equipment 31%, mineral products 13%, vehicles 12%, base metals 9%, chemicals 8%, plastics 6% (2009 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 18.6%, Czech Republic 18%, Russia 9.9%, Austria 8%, Hungary 6.8%, Poland 6%, South Korea 4.1% (2012)
Industrial production growth rate
10.6% (2012 est.)
Industries
metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.6% (2012 est.) 3.9% (2011 est.)
Labor force
2.724 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 3.5% 27% 69.4% (December 2009)
- agriculture
- 3.5%
- industry
- 27%
- services
- 69.4% (December 2009)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$4.736 billion (31 December 2011) $4.15 billion (31 December 2010) $4.672 billion (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
21% (2002)
Public debt
52.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 43.3% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover general Government Gross Debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds.
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.519 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.462 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$52.73 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $52.99 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$11.09 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.61 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$62.49 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $58.69 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$68.47 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $68.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$37.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $34.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Taxes and other revenues
33.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
13.6% (2012 est.) 13.2% (2011 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
34.88 million Mt (2011 est.)
Crude oil - exports
262.5 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports
108,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production
9,277 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
9 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
Electricity - consumption
26.27 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports
13.08 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
42.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
20.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
23.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
2.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - imports
13.88 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
7.855 million kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - production
24.39 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
6.468 billion cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - exports
45.43 billion cu m (2012 est.)
Natural gas - imports
50.18 billion cu m (2012 est.)
Natural gas - production
105 million cu m (2012 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
83,910 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
70,520 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
28,380 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
129,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
state-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), operates 3 national TV stations and multiple national and regional radio networks; roughly 35 privately owned TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 40% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; more than 20 privately owned radio stations (2008)
Internet country code
.sk
Internet hosts
1.384 million (2012)
Internet users
4.063 million (2009)
Telephone system
- Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services (2011)
- domestic
- analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services
- general assessment
- Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services
- international
- country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services (2011)
Telephones - main lines in use
975,000 (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
6.095 million (2012)
Transportation
Airports
35 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 11 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 3
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 2
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 3
- over 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 21
- under 914 m
- 11 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 5 (2013)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 9
- total
- 14
Heliports
1 (2013)
Merchant marine
- cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 2 11 (Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Montenegro 1, Slovenia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 2) (2010)
- foreign-owned
- 11 (Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Montenegro 1, Slovenia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 2) (2010)
- total
- 11
Pipelines
gas 6,774 km; oil 419 km (2013)
Ports and terminals
Bratislava, Komarno
Railways
- 3,622 km 99 km 1.520-m gauge 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,615 km electrified) 50 km 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge (2008)
- narrow gauge
- 50 km 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge (2008)
- standard gauge
- 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,615 km electrified)
- total
- 3,622 km
Roadways
- 43,916 km 38,238 km (includes 417 km of expressways) 5,678 km (2010)
- total
- 43,916 km
- unpaved
- 5,678 km (2010)
Waterways
172 km (on Danube River) (2012)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 1,405,310 1,369,897 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 1,369,897 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 1,405,310
Manpower fit for military service
- 1,156,113 1,139,380 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 1,139,380 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 1,156,113
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 31,646 30,219 (2010 est.)
- female
- 30,219 (2010 est.)
- male
- 31,646
Military branches
- Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2010)
- Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky)
- Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2010)
Military expenditures
1.08% of GDP (2005 est.)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription in peacetime suspended in 2006; women are eligible to serve (2012)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 1,523 (2013)
- stateless persons
- 1,523 (2013)