Slovenia
Top Sights & Landmarks
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, Slovenia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia joined Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia as one of the constituent republics in the new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). In 1990, Slovenia held its first multiparty elections, as well as a referendum on independence. Serbia responded with an economic blockade and military action, but after a short 10-day war, Slovenia declared independence in 1991. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone and the Schengen Area in 2007.
Location
south Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia
Area
Elevation
Detailed Geography Information
Coastline
46.6 km
Geography - note
despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
Irrigated land
50 sq km (2022)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards
flooding; earthquakes
Natural resources
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
Population & Growth
Age Distribution
Demographic Longevity
Vital Dynamics
Detailed People & Society Information
Alcohol consumption per capita
11.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
47.2% (2021 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 58.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 22.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 36.3 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.8 (2025 est.)
Education expenditure
5.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 11.1% national budget (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Gross reproduction rate
0.73 (2025 est.)
Health expenditure
8.8% of GDP (2022) 15% of national budget (2022 est.)
Hospital bed density
4.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 1.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Major urban areas - population
286,000 LJUBLJANA (capital) (2018)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29 years (2020 est.)
Nationality
noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.2% (2016)
Physician density
3.37 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest are less dense
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Religions
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 17 years (2023 est.) male: 17 years (2023 est.) female: 18 years (2023 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 17.3% (2025 est.) male: 19.3% (2025 est.) female: 15.3% (2025 est.)
Climate & Issues
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Land Cover
Air & Carbon Emissions
Water Resources & Use
Detailed Environmental Information
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 global geoparks and regional networks: Idrija; Karawanken / Karavanke (includes Austria) (2023)
International environmental agreements
Urbanization
urban population: 56.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.54% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.052 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.8% (2022 est.)
Capital & State Profile
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
National Identity & Symbols
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red; the Slovenian seal (a shield with Triglav, the country's highest peak, in white on a blue background) is at the center, with two wavy blue lines under it; three six-pointed stars in an inverted triangle appear on the upper-left
Detailed Government Information
Administrative divisions
200 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 12 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina) 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 ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, 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, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, 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 urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje
Citizenship
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
history: previous 1974 (pre-independence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991 amendment process: 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
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenija local short form: Slovenija former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia etymology: the country's name means "Land of the Slavs" in Slovene; the origin of the Slav name is unclear, although early forms were used in Medieval Latin (Sclavus) and Byzantine Greek (Sklabos)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
Judicial branch
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 on 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 serve for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from nominations by the president of the republic; Constitutional Court president selected from among its own membership 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
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Škocjan Caves (n); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Heritage of Mercury: Almadén and Idrija (c); The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana (c)
Political parties
Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS Freedom Movement or GS (formerly Greens Actions Party or Z.DEJ) List of Marjan Sarec or LMS New Slovenia - Christian Democrats or NSi Party of Alenka Bratusek or SAB (formerly Alliance of Social Liberal Democrats or ZSD and before that Alliance of Alenka Bratusek or ZaAB) Resni.ca Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS (formerly the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDSS) Slovenian National Party or SNS Social Democrats or SD The Left or Levica (successor to United Left or ZL)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economic Overview
high-income EU and eurozone economy; high per-capita income and low inequality; key exports in automotive and pharmaceuticals; tight labor market with low unemployment; growth supported by private consumption and public investment, with risks from tight labor market and trade conditions; narrowing fiscal deficit and declining public debt
Size & Performance
GDP Sector Breakdown
Trade Balance
Budget Balance
Export Profile
Top Export Partners
Major Export Commodities
Import Profile
Top Import Partners
Major Import Commodities
Labor & Employment
Income Inequality
Family Income / Consumption Share
Detailed Economic Data
Agricultural products
Current account balance
$3.231 billion (2024 est.) $3.093 billion (2023 est.) -$617.374 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 0.924 (2024 est.) 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
Industrial production growth rate
1.8% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Industries
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2% (2024 est.) 7.4% (2023 est.) 8.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Public debt
73.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 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 central, state, local government, and social security funds
Remittances
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.832 billion (2024 est.) $2.37 billion (2023 est.) $2.268 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues
20.3% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Grid Infrastructure
Generation Mix
Fossil Fuels Production
Intensity & Nuclear
Digital Access
Active internet users as a percentage of the total population.
Fixed Broadband
Mobile Cellular
Broadcast Media
Aviation
Railways
Ports & Harbors
Merchant Marine
Military Expenditures
Active Duty Strengths
approximately 6,000 active military personnel (2025)
Service & Defense Details
Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): structured as a combined force with air, land, maritime, and special operations components Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)
110 Kosovo (NATO); up to 200 Slovakia (NATO) (2025)
the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet/Cold War-era and smaller quantities of more modern, mostly Western equipment; Slovenia is in the midst of a modernization program to replace its Soviet-era equipment with NATO-standard European and US systems (2025)
the Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska or SV) are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, deterring external threats, and contributing to European security and other international peacekeeping missions; the SV is also active in civil-military cooperation, such as the maintenance of local infrastructure; Slovenia has been a member of the EU and NATO since 2004, and one of the SV’s key missions is fulfilling the country’s commitments to NATO, including equipment modernization, participating in training exercises, and contributing to NATO operations; the SV provides troops to NATO’s efforts to enhance its presence in the Baltics (Latvia) and Eastern Europe (Slovakia); it has also participated in other international security missions with small numbers of personnel in such places as Africa, southern Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East; NATO allies Hungary and Italy provide air policing for Slovenia the SV was formally established in 1993 as a reorganization of the Slovenia Defense Force; the Defense Force, along with the Slovenian police, comprised the majority of the forces that engaged with the Yugoslav People’s Army during the 10-Day War after Slovenia declared its independence in 1991 (2025)
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; recruits sign up for 3-, 5-, or 10-year service contracts; no conscription (2026) note: as of 2025, women comprised about 16% of the military's full-time personnel