2017 Edition

Background

The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone and the Schengen zone in 2007.

Area

20,273 sq km 20,151 sq km 122 sq km

land

20,151 sq km

total

20,273 sq km

water

122 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east

Coastline

46.6 km

Elevation

492 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point

Triglav 2,864 m

mean elevation

492 m

Environment - current issues

Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage from urban air pollution and resulting acid rain

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, 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 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

46 07 N, 14 49 E

Geography - note

despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes

Irrigated land

60 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,211 km Austria 299 km, Croatia 600 km, Hungary 94 km, Italy 218 km

border countries (4)

Austria 299 km, Croatia 600 km, Hungary 94 km, Italy 218 km

total

1,211 km

Land use

22.8% arable land 8.4%; permanent crops 1.3%; permanent pasture 13.1% 62.3% 14.9% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

22.8%

forest

62.3%

other

14.9% (2011 est.)

Location

south Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding; earthquakes

Natural resources

lignite, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests

Population - distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest exhibit less density than elsewhere

Terrain

a short southwestern coastal strip of Karst topography on the Adriatic; an alpine mountain region lies adjacent to Italy and Austria in the north; mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east

Age structure

13.32% (male 135,371/female 127,246) 9.45% (male 95,546/female 90,744) 42.9% (male 427,723/female 418,349) 14.83% (male 143,642/female 148,821) 19.51% (male 157,794/female 226,890) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

13.32% (male 135,371/female 127,246)

15-24 years

9.45% (male 95,546/female 90,744)

25-54 years

42.9% (male 427,723/female 418,349)

55-64 years

14.83% (male 143,642/female 148,821)

65 years and over

19.51% (male 157,794/female 226,890) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

8.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

11.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.7 21.9 26.8 3.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

26.8

potential support ratio

3.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.7

youth dependency ratio

21.9

Drinking water source

urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.6% of population

total

0.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.3% of population

Education expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census)

Health expenditures

9.2% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density

4.6 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant mortality rate

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Slovenian (official) 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%, Italian (official, only in municipalities where Italian national communities reside), Hungarian (official, only in municipalities where Hungarian national communities reside) (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth

78.3 years 74.8 years 82.2 years (2017 est.)

female

82.2 years (2017 est.)

male

74.8 years

total population

78.3 years

Literacy

NA 99.7% 99.7% 99.7% (2015 est.)

definition

NA

female

99.7% (2015 est.)

male

99.7%

total population

99.7%

Major urban areas - population

LJUBLJANA (capital) 279,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

44.5 years 42.8 years 46.2 years (2017 est.)

female

46.2 years (2017 est.)

male

42.8 years

total

44.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.1 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Slovene(s) Slovenian

adjective

Slovenian

noun

Slovene(s)

Net migration rate

0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.2% (2016)

Physicians density

2.77 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

1,972,126 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest exhibit less density than elsewhere

Population growth rate

-0.31% (2017 est.)

Religions

Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.1% of population rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population urban: 0.9% of population rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.9% of population

total

0.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 17 years 18 years (2014)

female

18 years (2014)

male

17 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.68 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.36 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.3% 17.6% 14.6% (2015 est.)

female

14.6% (2015 est.)

male

17.6%

total

16.3%

Urbanization

49.6% of total population (2017) 0.18% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.18% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

49.6% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

201 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina) Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sevnica, Sezana, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Salovci, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sostanj, Store, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk Celje, Koper-Capodistria, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje

municipalities

Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica,

urban municipalities

Celje, Koper-Capodistria, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje

Capital

Ljubljana 46 03 N, 14 31 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

46 03 N, 14 31 E

name

Ljubljana

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia yes, for select cases 10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia

dual citizenship recognized

yes, for select cases

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous

Constitution

previous 1974 (preindependence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991 proposed by at least 20 National Assembly members, by the government, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required if agreed upon by at least 30 Assembly members; passage in a referendum requires participation of a majority of eligible voters and a simple majority of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

amendments

proposed by at least 20 National Assembly members, by the government, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required if agreed upon by at least 30 Assembly members; passage in a referendum requires participation of a majority of eligible voters and a simple majority of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

history

previous 1974 (preindependence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991

Country name

Republic of Slovenia Slovenia Republika Slovenija Slovenija People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia related to the Slavic autonym (self-designation) "Slovenin," a derivation from "slovo" (word), denoting "people who speak (the same language)" (i.e., people who understand each other)

conventional long form

Republic of Slovenia

conventional short form

Slovenia

etymology

related to the Slavic autonym (self-designation) "Slovenin," a derivation from "slovo" (word), denoting "people who speak (the same language)" (i.e., people who understand each other)

former

People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia

local long form

Republika Slovenija

local short form

Slovenija

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Brent Robert HARTLEY (since 12 February 2015) Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 [386] (1) 200-5500 [386] (1) 200-5555

chief of mission

Ambassador Brent Robert HARTLEY (since 12 February 2015)

embassy

Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana

FAX

[386] (1) 200-5555

mailing address

American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140

telephone

[386] (1) 200-5500

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Stanislav VIDOVIC (since 21 July 2017) 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 386-6601 [1] (202) 386-6633 Cleveland (OH)

chancery

2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Stanislav VIDOVIC (since 21 July 2017)

consulate(s) general

Cleveland (OH)

FAX

[1] (202) 386-6633

telephone

[1] (202) 386-6601

Executive branch

President Borut PAHOR (since 22 December 2012) Prime Minister Miro CERAR (since 18 September 2014) Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October and 12 November 2017 (next election schedule for 2022); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually nominated prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly Borut PAHOR is reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Borut PAHOR (independent) 47.1%, Marjan SAREC (Marjan Sarec List) 25%, Romana TOMC (SDS) 13.7%, Ljudmila NOVAK (NSi) 7.2%, other 7%; percent of vote in second round - Borut PAHOR 52.9%, Marjan SAREC 47.1%; note - a snap election was held on 13 July 2014 following the resignation of Prime Minister Alenka BRATUSEK on 5 May 2014; Miro CERAR (SMC) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 11

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly

chief of state

President Borut PAHOR (since 22 December 2012)

election results

Borut PAHOR is reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Borut PAHOR (independent) 47.1%, Marjan SAREC (Marjan Sarec List) 25%, Romana TOMC (SDS) 13.7%, Ljudmila NOVAK (NSi) 7.2%, other 7%; percent of vote in second round - Borut PAHOR 52.9%, Marjan SAREC 47.1%; note - a snap election was held on 13 July 2014 following the resignation of Prime Minister Alenka BRATUSEK on 5 May 2014; Miro CERAR (SMC) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 11

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October and 12 November 2017 (next election schedule for 2022); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually nominated prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Miro CERAR (since 18 September 2014)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, derive from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola; the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the prominent Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries) appears in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 37 judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor and social security, administrative, and registry departments); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges) Supreme Court president and vice president appointed by the National Assembly upon the proposal of the Minister of Justice based on the opinions of the Judicial Council, an 11-member independent body elected by the National Assembly from proposals submitted by the president, attorneys, law universities, and sitting judges; other Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly from candidates proposed by the Judicial Council; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from nominations by the president of the republic; Constitutional Court president selected from among their own for a 3-year term; other judges elected for single 9-year terms county, district, regional, and high courts; specialized labor-related and social courts; Court of Audit; Administrative Court

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 37 judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor and social security, administrative, and registry departments); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president and vice president appointed by the National Assembly upon the proposal of the Minister of Justice based on the opinions of the Judicial Council, an 11-member independent body elected by the National Assembly from proposals submitted by the president, attorneys, law universities, and sitting judges; other Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly from candidates proposed by the Judicial Council; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from nominations by the president of the republic; Constitutional Court president selected from among their own for a 3-year term; other judges elected for single 9-year terms

subordinate courts

county, district, regional, and high courts; specialized labor-related and social courts; Court of Audit; Administrative Court

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 88 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 2 directly elected in special constituencies for Italian and Hungarian minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - the National Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers National Assembly - last held on 13 July 2014 (next to be held by July 2018) percent of vote by party - SMC 34.5%, SDS 20.7%, DeSUS 10.2%, ZL 6%, SD 6%, NSi 5.6%, ZaAB 4.4%, other 12.6%; seats by party - SMC 36, SDS 21, DeSUS 10, ZL 6, SD 6, NSi, 5, ZaAB 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1 as of January 2017, seats by party - SMC 35, SDS 19, DeSUS 11, ZL 6, SD 6, NSi 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1, unaffiliated 6

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 88 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 2 directly elected in special constituencies for Italian and Hungarian minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - the National Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers

election results

percent of vote by party - SMC 34.5%, SDS 20.7%, DeSUS 10.2%, ZL 6%, SD 6%, NSi 5.6%, ZaAB 4.4%, other 12.6%; seats by party - SMC 36, SDS 21, DeSUS 10, ZL 6, SD 6, NSi, 5, ZaAB 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1

elections

National Assembly - last held on 13 July 2014 (next to be held by July 2018)

note

as of January 2017, seats by party - SMC 35, SDS 19, DeSUS 11, ZL 6, SD 6, NSi 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1, unaffiliated 6

National anthem

"Zdravljica" (A Toast) France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL adopted 1989; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism

lyrics/music

France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL

name

"Zdravljica" (A Toast)

note

adopted 1989; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism

National holiday

Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)

National symbol(s)

Mount Triglav; national colors: white, blue, red

Mount Triglav; national colors

white, blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Social Liberal Democrats or ZSD (formerly Alliance of Alenka Bratusek or ZaAB) [Alenka BRATUSEK] Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC] Marjan Sarej List [Marjan SAREC] Modern Center Party or SMC [Miro CERAR] New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK] Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA] Social Democrats or SD [Dejan ZIDAN] United Left or ZL (collective leadership) Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia; reportedly inactive since 2009

inactive

Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia; reportedly inactive since 2009

Political pressure groups and leaders

Roman Catholic Church various trade and public sector employee unions

other

various trade and public sector employee unions

Suffrage

18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal

Agriculture - products

hops, wheat, coffee, corn, apples, pears; cattle, sheep, poultry

Budget

$19.2 billion $20.01 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$20.01 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$19.2 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0% (16 March 2016) 0.05% (4 Sept 2014) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

note

this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.81% (31 December 2016 est.) 3.49% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$2.332 billion (2016 est.) $1.884 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$46.3 billion (31 January 2017 est.) $48.2 billion (31 January 2016 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

24.5 (2015) 25 (2014)

Economy - overview

With excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe, Slovenia has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Central Europe, despite having suffered a protracted recession in the 2008-09 period in the wake of the global financial crisis. Slovenia became the first 2004 EU entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced one of the most stable political transitions in Central and Southeastern Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the process for joining the OECD; it became a member in 2012. However, long-delayed privatizations, particularly within Slovenia’s largely state-owned and increasingly indebted banking sector, have fueled investor concerns since 2012 that the country would need EU-IMF financial assistance. In 2013, the European Commission granted Slovenia permission to begin recapitalizing ailing lenders and transferring their nonperforming assets into a “bad bank” established to restore bank balance sheets. From 2014 to 2016, export-led growth, fueled by demand in larger European markets pushed GDP growth to 2.3% per year, while stubbornly high unemployment fell slightly to below 12%. Prime Minister CERAR’s government took office in September 2014, pledging to press ahead with commitments to privatize a select group of state-run companies, rationalize public spending, and further stabilize the banking sector.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$27.65 billion (2016 est.) $26.67 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Exports - partners

Germany 19.3%, Italy 10.4%, Austria 7.5%, Croatia 7.3%, Hungary 4.4%, France 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

51.8% 19% 18.4% 1.3% 79.2% -69.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

79.2%

government consumption

19%

household consumption

51.8%

imports of goods and services

-69.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.4%

investment in inventories

1.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.3% 32.4% 65.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.3%

industry

32.4%

services

65.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$32,200 (2016 est.) $31,300 (2015 est.) $30,600 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (2016 est.) 2.3% (2015 est.) 3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.73 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$66.5 billion (2016 est.) $63.66 billion (2015 est.) $61.58 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

23.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 25.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 20.2% (2012)

highest 10%

20.2% (2012)

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$25.95 billion (2016 est.) $25.04 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food

Imports - partners

Germany 16.8%, Italy 13.5%, Austria 9.9%, Croatia 5.5%, China 4.8%, Turkey 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2016 est.)

Industries

ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.1% (2016 est.) -0.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

920,400 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.7% 31.7% 64.6% (2015 est.)

agriculture

3.7%

industry

31.7%

services

64.6% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.94 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $6.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

14.3% (2015 est.)

Public debt

79.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 83.5% of GDP (2015 est.) defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

note

defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$743.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $856.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$24.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $23.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$7.837 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7.843 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$14.83 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.49 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$30.23 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $29.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$16.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.39 billion (31 December 2015 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

note

see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

43.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2016 est.) 12.3% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

14.3 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

5 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

14.57 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

10.28 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

31.8% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31.9% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

34.4% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.7% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - imports

8.325 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.37 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

16.53 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

836.5 million cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

832 million cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

4.5 million cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

52,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

28,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

87,530 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

public TV broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV), operates a system of national and regional TV stations; 35 domestic commercial TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 60% of households are connected to multi-channel cable TV; public radio broadcaster operates 3 national and 4 regional stations; more than 75 regional and local commercial and non-commercial radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.si

Internet users

1,493,382 75.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

75.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,493,382

Telephone system

well-developed telecommunications infrastructure combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 155 telephones per 100 persons country code - 386 (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 155 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

well-developed telecommunications infrastructure

international

country code - 386 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

731,320 37 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

37 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

731,320

Telephones - mobile cellular

2,385,757 121 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

121 (July 2016 est.)

total

2,385,757

Airports

16 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

9

under 914 m

5 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

S5 (2016)

Merchant marine

24 (Cyprus 5, Liberia 7, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

24 (Cyprus 5, Liberia 7, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 1) (2010)

National air transport system

1,130,637 1,349,442 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,349,442 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,130,637

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

35

number of registered air carriers

2

Pipelines

gas 844 km; oil 5 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Koper

major seaport(s)

Koper

Railways

1,229 km 1,229 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

1,229 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2014)

total

1,229 km

Roadways

38,985 km 38,985 km (includes 769 km of expressways) (2012)

paved

38,985 km (includes 769 km of expressways) (2012)

total

38,985 km

Waterways

(some transport on the Drava River) (2012)

Military branches

Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): Forces Command (with ground units, naval element, air and air defense brigade); Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) (2013)

Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV)

Forces Command (with ground units, naval element, air and air defense brigade); Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.92% of GDP (2016) 0.94% of GDP (2015) 0.98% of GDP (2014) 1.06% of GDP (2013) 1.17% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2012)

Disputes - international

since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Piranski Bay and four villages, and Slovenia has objected to Croatia's claim of an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea; in 2009, however Croatia and Slovenia signed a binding international arbitration agreement to define their disputed land and maritime borders, which led Slovenia to lift its objections to Croatia joining the EU; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia; Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirements

Illicit drugs

minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals

Refugees and internally displaced persons

477,791 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015 - December 2016); migration through the Western Balkans has decreased significantly since March 2016; Slovenia is predominantly a transit country and hosts fewer than 250 asylum seekers as of September 2017

note

477,791 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015 - December 2016); migration through the Western Balkans has decreased significantly since March 2016; Slovenia is predominantly a transit country and hosts fewer than 250 asylum seekers as of September 2017