top of pageBackground: 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.
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
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
GeographyNote: despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
top of pageEthnic groups: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 est.)
Languages: Slovene (official) 87.7%, Croatian 2.8%, Serbo-Croatian 1.8%, Bosnian 1.6%, Serbian 1.6%, Hungarian 0.4% (official, only in municipalities where Hungarian nationals reside), Italian 0.2% (official, only in municipalities where Italian nationals reside), other or unspecified 3.9% (2002 est.)
Major-language samples: Svetovni informativni zvezek - neobhoden vir osnovnih informacij. (Slovene); Gheos World Guide, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Catholic 69%, Orthodox 4%, Muslim 3%, Christian 1%, other 3%, atheist 14%, non-believer/agnostic 4%, refused to answer 2% (2019 est.)
Death rate: 10.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 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
EnvironmentCurrent issues: air pollution from road traffic, domestic heating (wood buring), power generation, and industry; water pollution; biodiversity protection
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 94, 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, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
top of pageAdministrative 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
ConstitutionHistory: previous 1974 (preindependence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991
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 2016
Executive branchChief of state: President Natasa PIRC MUSAR (since 23 December 2022)
Head of government: Prime Minister Robert GOLOB (since 1 June 2022)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly
Elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held on 23 October 2022 with a runoff on 13 November 2022 (next to be held in 2,027); 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
Election results: 2022: Natasa PIRC MUSAR elected president in second round: percent of vote in first round - Anze LOGAR (SDS) 34%, Natasa PIRC MUSAR (independent) 26.9%, Milan BRGLEZ (SD) 15.5%, Vladimir PREBILIC (independent) 10.6%, Sabina SENCAR (Resni.ca) 5.9%, Janez CIGLER KRALJ (NSi) 4.4%, other 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Natasa PIRC MUSAR 53.9%, Anze LOGAR 46.1%; Robert GOLOB (GS) elected prime minister on 25 May 2022, National Assembly vote - 54-30; 2017: Borut PAHOR 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%
Legislative branchDescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: National Council (State Council) or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 5-year terms)
Note: the Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers, 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)
Elections: National Council - last held on 24 November 2022 (next to be held in 2,027), National Assembly - last held on 24 April 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Elections results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 33, women 7, percentage women 17.5%, National Assembly - percent of vote by party - GS 34.5%, SDS 23.5%, NSi 6.9%, SD 6.7%, Levica 4.4%, other 24%; seats by party - GS 41, SDS 27, NSi 8, SD 7, Levica 5; composition - men 56, women 34, percentage women 37.8%; total Parliament percentage women 31.5%
Judicial branchHighest courts: 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 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
Political parties and leaders: 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)
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, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representationIn the us: chief of mission: Ambassador Iztok MIROŠIČ (since 15 September 2023)
In the us chancery: 2,410 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 386-6,611
In the us fax: [1] (202) 386-6,633
In the us email address and website: sloembassy.washington@gov.si;
[link]In the us consulates general: Cleveland (OH)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Jamie L. HARPOOTLIAN (since 17 February 2022)
From the us embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
From the us mailing address: 7,140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20,521-7,140
From the us telephone: [386] (1) 200-5,500
From the us fax: [386] (1) 200-5,555
From the us email address and website: LjubljanaACS@state.gov;
[link] 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
National anthemName: 'Zdravljica' (A Toast)
Lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL
Note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism
top of pageEconomy overview: high-income, EU and eurozone member economy; high per-capita income and low inequality; key exports in automotive and pharmaceuticals; tight labor market with low unemployment; growth supported by EU funds and reconstruction from 2023 floods; pressures over public sector wage demands
Real gdp growth rate: 1.59% (2023 est.); 2.46% (2022 est.); 8.23% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Agriculture products: milk, maize, wheat, barley, grapes, chicken, potatoes, apples, beef, pork (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
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
Labor force: 1.055 million (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate: 3.63% (2023 est.); 4.01% (2022 est.); 4.75% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
BudgetRevenues: $23.529 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures: $24.369 billion (2022 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
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
Current account balance: $3.057 billion (2023 est.); -$617.374 million (2022 est.); $2.073 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports: $57.489 billion (2023 est.); $56.51 billion (2022 est.); $51.662 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: Switzerland 18%, Germany 14%, Italy 11%, Croatia 8%, Austria 7% (2022)
Partners note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Commodities: packaged medicine, cars, refined petroleum, electricity, vehicle parts/accessories (2022)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports: $52.826 billion (2023 est.); $55.158 billion (2022 est.); $47.997 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: Switzerland 17%, China 11%, Italy 10%, Germany 10%, Austria 7% (2022)
Partners note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Commodities: packaged medicine, nitrogen compounds, refined petroleum, cars, electricity (2022)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.37 billion (2023 est.); $2.268 billion (2022 est.); $2.267 billion (2021 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
top of pagetop of pagetop of pageMilitary expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2023); 1.3% of GDP (2022); 1.2% of GDP (2021); 1% of GDP (2020)
Military and security forces: Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): structured as a combined force with air, land, maritime, special operations, combat support, and combat service support elements; Ministry of Interior: National Police (2024)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; must be a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia; recruits sign up for 3-, 5-, or 10-year service contracts; conscription abolished in 2003 (2023)
Note: as of 2023, women comprised about 16% of the military's full-time personnel
top of pageWaterways: 710 km (2022) (some transport on the Drava River)
top of pageIllicit drugs: minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
🅶🅷🅴🅾🆂.🅲🅾🅼