

Topic: Photos of Slovakia

Topic: Introduction
Background: Slovakia traces its roots 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. After the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, backlash to language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (Magyarization) encouraged the strengthening of Slovak nationalism and a cultivation of cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who fell administratively under the Austrian half of the empire. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. The new state was envisioned as a nation with Czech and Slovak branches. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939 Slovakia became an independent state created by and 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 Czechoslovakia'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, Czechoslovakia 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 49,035 sq km

land: 48,105 sq km

water: 930 sq km
Area - comparative: about one and a half times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total: 1,587 km

border countries (5): Austria 105 km; Czechia 241 km; Hungary 627 km; Poland 517 km; Ukraine 97 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation: highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m

mean elevation: 458 m
Natural resources: lignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 40.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 28.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 40.2% (2018 est.)

other: 19.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 869 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border
Natural hazards: flooding
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
Map description: Slovakia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Slovakia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,431,252 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s)

adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups: Slovak 83.8%, Hungarian 7.8%, Romani 1.2%, other 1.8% (includes Czech, Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Polish), unspecified 5.4% (2021 est.)

note: data represent population by nationality; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 7–11% of Slovakia's population
Languages: Slovak (official) 81.8%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 1.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.)

major-language sample(s): 
Svetova Kniha Faktov, nenahraditelny zdroj zakladnej informacie. (Slovak)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 55.8%, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession 5.3%, Greek Catholic 4%, Reformed Christian 1.6%, other 3%, none 23.8%, unspecified 6.5% (2021 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.13% (male 423,180/female 400,128)

15-24 years: 10.06% (male 280,284/female 266,838)

25-54 years: 44.61% (male 1,228,462/female 1,198,747)

55-64 years: 13.15% (male 342,124/female 373,452)

65 years and over: 17.05% (2020 est.) (male 366,267/female 561,120)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 47.6

youth dependency ratio: 23

elderly dependency ratio: 24.6

potential support ratio: 4.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 41.8 years

male: 40.1 years

female: 43.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.1% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 10.13 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.17% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 439,000 BRATISLAVA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.2 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.48 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.31 years

male: 74.83 years

female: 82.04 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.57 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 5.7 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2018 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,200 (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.5% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 31.5% (2020 est.)

male: 37.4% (2020 est.)

female: 25.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.4%

male: 18.3%

female: 21.2% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution and acid rain present human health risks and damage forests; land erosion caused by agricultural and mining practices; water pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protection
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.54 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 32.42 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 4.43 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Land use: agricultural land: 40.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 28.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 40.2% (2018 est.)

other: 19.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.17% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.22% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.784 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 135,941 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7.6% (2015 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 293.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 231.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 31.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 50.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Slovak Republic

conventional short form: Slovakia

local long form: Slovenska republika

local short form: Slovensko

etymology: may derive from the medieval Latin word "Slavus" (Slav), which had the local form "Sloven", used since the 13th century to refer to the territory of Slovakia and its inhabitants
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Bratislava

geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the name was adopted in 1919 after Czechoslovakia gained its independence and may derive from later transliterations of the 9th century military commander, Braslav, or the 11th century Bohemian Duke Bretislav I; alternatively, the name may derive from the Slovak words "brat" (brother) and "slava" (glory)
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Trnava, Zilina
Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution: history: several previous (preindependence); latest passed by the National Council 1 September 1992, signed 3 September 1992, effective 1 October 1992

amendments: proposed by the National Council; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote of Council members; amended many times, last in 2020
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
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovakia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Zuzana CAPUTOVA (since 15 June 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Eduard HEGER (since 1 April 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Stefan HOLY, Veronika REMISOVA, Richard SULIK (all since 21 March 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

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 16 March and 30 March 2019 (next to be held March 2024); following National Council elections (every 4 years), the president designates a prime minister candidate, usually the leader of the party or coalition that wins the most votes, who must win a vote of confidence in the National Council

election results: 
2019: Zuzana CAPUTOVA reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Zuzana CAPUTOVA (PS) 58.4%, Maros SEFCOVIC (independent) 41.6%

2014: Andrej KISKA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrej KISKA (independent) 59.4%, Robert FICO (Smer-SD) 40.6%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Council or Narodna Rada (150 seats; members directly elected in a single- and multi-seat constituencies by closed, party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 29 February 2020 (next to be held March 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - OLaNO-NOVA 25%, Smer-SD 18.3%, Sme-Rodina 8.2%, LSNS 8%, PS-SPOLU 7%, SaS 6.2%, Za Ludi 5.8%, other 21.5%; seats by party - OLaNO-NOVA 53, Smer-SD 38, Sme-Rodina 17, LSNS 17, SaS 13, Za Ludi 12, PS-SPOLU 0; composition - men 120, women 30, percent of women 20%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 80 judges organized into criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative divisions with 3- and 5-judge panels); Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of 13 judges organized into 3-judge panels)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judge candidates nominated by the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, an 18-member self-governing body that includes the Supreme Court chief justice and presidential, governmental, parliamentary, and judiciary appointees; judges appointed by the president serve for life subject to removal by the president at age 65; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Council of the Republic and appointed by the president; judges serve 12-year terms

subordinate courts: regional and district civil courts; Special Criminal Court; Higher Military Court; military district courts; Court of Audit;
Political parties and leaders: Alliance-Szovetseg [Krisztian FORRO]
Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]
For the People or Za Ludi [Veronika REMISOVA]
Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK]
Kotleba-People's Party Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA]
Ordinary People and Independent Personalities - New Majority or OLaNO-NOVA [Igor MATOVIC]
Slovak National Party or SNS [Andrej DANKO]
Voice or Hlas-SD [Petr PELLIGRINI]
We Are Family or Sme-Rodina [Boris KOLLAR]
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, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Radovan JAVORCIK (since 18 January 2021)

chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054

FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438

email address and website: 
emb.washington@mzv.sk

https://www.mzv.sk/web/washington-en

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Nicholas NAMBA (since May 2022)

embassy: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava

mailing address: 5840 Bratislava Place, Washington DC  20521-5840

telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338

FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861

email address and website: 
consulbratislava@state.gov

https://sk.usembassy.gov/
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

note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National symbol(s): double-barred cross (Cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius) surmounting three peaks; national colors: white, blue, red
National anthem: name: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras)

lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional

note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku" (She was digging a well)
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 8 (6 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica (c), Levoča, Spišský Hrad, and the Associated Cultural Monuments (c), Vlkolínec (c), Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst (n), Bardejov Town (c), Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (n), Wooden Churches of the Slovak Carpathians (c), Frontiers of the Roman Empire - The Danube Limes (Western Segment) (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Slovakia’s economy suffered from a slow start in the first years after its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993, due to the country’s authoritarian leadership and high levels of corruption, but economic reforms implemented after 1998 have placed Slovakia on a path of strong growth. With a population of 5.4 million, the Slovak Republic has a small, open economy driven mainly by automobile and electronics exports, which account for more than 80% of GDP. Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 and the euro zone in 2009. The country’s banking sector is sound and predominantly foreign owned.   Slovakia has been a regional FDI champion for several years, attractive due to a relatively low-cost yet skilled labor force, and a favorable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe. Exports and investment have been key drivers of Slovakia’s robust growth in recent years. The unemployment rate fell to historical lows in 2017, and rising wages fueled increased consumption, which played a more prominent role in 2017 GDP growth. A favorable outlook for the Eurozone suggests continued strong growth prospects for Slovakia during the next few years, although inflation is also expected to pick up.   Among the most pressing domestic issues potentially threatening the attractiveness of the Slovak market are shortages in the qualified labor force, persistent corruption issues, and an inadequate judiciary, as well as a slow transition to an innovation-based economy. The energy sector in particular is characterized by unpredictable regulatory oversight and high costs, in part driven by government interference in regulated tariffs. Moreover, the government’s attempts to maintain low household energy prices could harm the profitability of domestic energy firms while undercutting energy efficiency initiatives.Slovakia’s economy suffered from a slow start in the first years after its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993, due to the country’s authoritarian leadership and high levels of corruption, but economic reforms implemented after 1998 have placed Slovakia on a path of strong growth. With a population of 5.4 million, the Slovak Republic has a small, open economy driven mainly by automobile and electronics exports, which account for more than 80% of GDP. Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 and the euro zone in 2009. The country’s banking sector is sound and predominantly foreign owned. Slovakia has been a regional FDI champion for several years, attractive due to a relatively low-cost yet skilled labor force, and a favorable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe. Exports and investment have been key drivers of Slovakia’s robust growth in recent years. The unemployment rate fell to historical lows in 2017, and rising wages fueled increased consumption, which played a more prominent role in 2017 GDP growth. A favorable outlook for the Eurozone suggests continued strong growth prospects for Slovakia during the next few years, although inflation is also expected to pick up. Among the most pressing domestic issues potentially threatening the attractiveness of the Slovak market are shortages in the qualified labor force, persistent corruption issues, and an inadequate judiciary, as well as a slow transition to an innovation-based economy. The energy sector in particular is characterized by unpredictable regulatory oversight and high costs, in part driven by government interference in regulated tariffs. Moreover, the government’s attempts to maintain low household energy prices could harm the profitability of domestic energy firms while undercutting energy efficiency initiatives.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $165.57 billion (2020 est.)

$173.83 billion (2019 est.)

$169.57 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.4% (2019 est.)

3.9% (2018 est.)

3.04% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $30,300 (2020 est.)

$31,900 (2019 est.)

$31,100 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $105.388 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2019 est.)

2.5% (2018 est.)

1.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A (2020)

Moody's rating: A2 (2012)

Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 35% (2017 est.)

services: 61.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 54.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 19.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 96.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -92.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, maize, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, sunflower seed, soybeans, pork
Industries: automobiles; metal and metal products; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals, synthetic fibers, wood and paper products; machinery; earthenware and ceramics; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products; food and beverages; pharmaceutical
Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.511 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.9%

industry: 22.7%

services: 73.4% (2015)
Unemployment rate: 5% (2019 est.)

5.42% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.4%

male: 18.3%

female: 21.2% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 11.9% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 25.2 (2016 est.)

26.1 (2014)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 19.3% (2015 est.)
Budget: revenues: 37.79 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 38.79 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 50.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

51.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general Government Gross Debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities, including sub-sectors of central, state, local government, and social security funds
Taxes and other revenues: 39.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$3.026 billion (2019 est.)

-$2.635 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $89.92 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$97.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$100.76 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Germany 22%, Czechia 11%, Poland 7%, France 7%, Hungary 6%, Austria 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, video displays, broadcasting equipment, tires, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports: $87.95 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$96.75 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$99.92 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 18%, Czechia 18%, Poland 8%, Hungary 7%, Russia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, broadcasting equipment, crude petroleum, natural gas, insulated wiring (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.622 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.892 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $115.853 billion (2019 est.)

$114.224 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 25.32 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 26.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 10.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 13.25 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 7.644 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 36% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 27% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 24% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 13% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 200 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 1,022 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 111,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 9 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 131,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 85,880 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 81,100 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 38,340 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production: 104.8 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 4.672 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 4.984 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 648,462 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7,399,530 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135.6 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Slovakia’s incumbent telco Slovak Telekom retains its dominance of the fixed-line voice and broadband sector, though there is effective competition in the mobile market, where most investment is being channeled; the main operators including O2 Slovakia and Orange Slovakia have expanded into offering bundled fixed and mobile services; the broadband market has shown steady growth in recent years; DSL remains the principal technology though in early 2020 it was eclipsed by the fast-developing fiber sector, which has been supported by sympathetic regulatory measures and considerable investment among operators; the cable sector is a distant third in terms of subscribers, though cable is particularly strong in urban areas; the main telco UPC Slovakia has gained customers steadily in recent years (reaching 144,000 by the end of 2020) on the back of its widely available 1Gb/s service offering; Slovakia’s mobile market is served by four MNOs, two of which are the local units of operators with a pan-European reach (Deutsche Telekom and Orange Group), O2 Slovakia was once the local unit of Telefónica Group before being sold to an investment concern; mobile broadband access and content services are developing rapidly in line with operators having upgraded their networks; the regulator prepared the groundwork for 5G services in line with European Union requirements, with concessions in the 3.5GHz range followed by those in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands; commercial services by the first quarter of 2021 were limited, licensees have invested in 5G infrastructure and also have considerable coverage obligations.  (2021)

domestic: four companies have a license to operate cellular networks and provide nationwide cellular services; a few other companies provide services but do not have their own networks; fixed-line roughly 11 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 133 per 100 teledensity (2020)

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; connects to DREAM cable (2017)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), operates 2 national TV stations and multiple national and regional radio networks; roughly 50 privately owned TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 40% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 32 privately owned radio stations
Internet country code: .sk
Internet users: total: 4,912,944 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 90% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,701,561 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 45
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OM
Airports: total: 35 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 19

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 9 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 5 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 2,270 km gas transmission pipelines, 6,278 km high-pressure gas distribution pipelines, 27,023 km mid- and low-pressure gas distribution pipelines (2016), 510 km oil (2015) (2016)
Railways: total: 3,580 km (2016)

standard gauge: 3,435 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (1,587 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 46 km (2016) 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge

broad gauge: 99 km (2016) 1.520-m gauge
Roadways: total: 56,926 km (2016) (includes local roads, national roads, and 464 km of highways)
Waterways: 172 km (2012) (on Danube River)
Ports and terminals: river port(s): Bratislava, Komarno (Danube)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Slovenské Pozemné Sily), Air Forces (Slovenské Vzdušné Sily), Special Operations Forces (Sily Pre Speciálne Operácie) (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

2% of GDP (2020)

1.7% of GDP (2019) (approximately $2.34 billion)

1.2% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.72 billion)

1.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.51 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 15,000 active duty personnel (8,000 Land Forces; 4,000 Air Forces; 3,000 other, including staff, special operations, and support forces) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Slovakian military consists mostly of Soviet-era platforms; since 2010, it has imported limited quantities of equipment, particularly from Italy and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription in peacetime suspended in 2004; women are eligible to serve (2021)

note - as of 2019, women made up around 12% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: 240 Cyprus (UNFICYP); up to 150 Latvia (NATO); 250 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
Military - note: Slovakia became a member of NATO in 2004

in 2022, Slovakia agreed to host a NATO ground force battlegroup comprised of troops from Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the US

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Slovakia-Austria: none identified Slovakia-Czechia: none identified Slovakia-Hungary: initiated by the 1977 Budapest Treaty, Hungary and formerly Czechoslovakia agreed to a hydroelectric dam project on the Danube with dams to be constructed at Gabcikovo (Slovakia) and Nagymaros (Hungary) to prevent floods, improve river navigability, and to generate electricity; when Hungary suspended work on the project until its environmental impact could be assessed, Slovakia continued working on it and adopted a pared down strategy to divert the Danube so that all construction was within Czechoslovakian territory; Hungary terminated the project on environmental and economic grounds in 1989, and in 1992 both countries took the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); the ICJ found largely in favor of then Slovakia, finding Hungary had breached their agreement; however, then Czechoslovakia should not have begun the alternative plan before the ICJ ruled on the case; in 2017, Hungary and Slovakia agreed to discontinue the ICJ proceedings Slovakia-Poland: none identified Slovakia-Ukraine: tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Slovakia to escape the Russian invasion in their countrySlovakia-Austria: none identifiedSlovakia-Czechia: none identifiedSlovakia-Hungary: initiated by the 1977 Budapest Treaty, Hungary and formerly Czechoslovakia agreed to a hydroelectric dam project on the Danube with dams to be constructed at Gabcikovo (Slovakia) and Nagymaros (Hungary) to prevent floods, improve river navigability, and to generate electricity; when Hungary suspended work on the project until its environmental impact could be assessed, Slovakia continued working on it and adopted a pared down strategy to divert the Danube so that all construction was within Czechoslovakian territory; Hungary terminated the project on environmental and economic grounds in 1989, and in 1992 both countries took the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); the ICJ found largely in favor of then Slovakia, finding Hungary had breached their agreement; however, then Czechoslovakia should not have begun the alternative plan before the ICJ ruled on the case; in 2017, Hungary and Slovakia agreed to discontinue the ICJ proceedingsSlovakia-Poland: none identifiedSlovakia-Ukraine: tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Slovakia to escape the Russian invasion in their country
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 80,533 (Ukraine) (as of 5 July 2022)

stateless persons: 1,532 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy