Slovenia

Republic of SloveniaRepublika Slovenija

parliamentary democratic republicIndependence 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Slovenia as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 122 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalLjubljana
Position46 07 N, 14 49 E
Area20,273 sq km
LocationCentral Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia
Populationas each edition published it
1.94 million July 2003 est. · 1.96m in 1992
Population growth% a year
0.14% 2003 est. · 0.23% in 1993
Median ageyears
38.6 years 2002 · 46 yrs in 2025
Life expectancyyears at birth
75.51 years 2003 est. · 74 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.27 children per woman 2003 est. · 1.68 in 1993
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
4.42 deaths per 1,000 live births 2003 est. · 8.3 in 1993
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$19,200 2002 est. · $10,700 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
3.2% 2002 est. · -10% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed 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 of 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. In December 2002, Slovenia received an invitation to join NATO, and it is scheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. In a March 2003 referendum on NATO and EU membership, Slovenes voted 90% in favor of joining the EU and 66% in favor of joining NATO.

Geography

Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia

18 fields

Land useshare of 20,273 sq km

arable land 11.48%permanent crops 2.68%other 85.84% (1998 est.)irrigated 20 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
20,273sq km
water: 122 sq kmland: 20,151 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jersey
Coastline
46.6km
Maritime claims: NA
Highest point
2,864m
Triglavlowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
Land boundaries
1,334km
border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km, Hungary 102 km

Location

Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia

Geographic coordinates

46 07 N, 14 49 E

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 coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east

Natural resources

lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower, forests

Natural hazards

flooding and earthquakes

Environment - current issues

  • Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste;
  • pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals;
  • forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note

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

People

19 fields
Population
1,935,677
(July 2003 est.)growth rate: 0.14% (2003 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2003 est.)

Birth
9.23Death
10.15Net migration
2.34

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2003 est.)75.51
71.65 · 79.58Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)4.42
5.53 · 3.26
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)99.7%
99.7% · 99.6%Median age years (2002)38.6
37.1 · 40.2
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: NA

Ethnic groups(1991)

Slovene 88%Croat 3%Serb 2%Bosniak 1%Yugoslav 0.6%Hungarian 0.4%other 5% (1991)

Religions

Roman Catholic (Uniate 2%) 70.8%Lutheran 1%Muslim 1%atheist 4.3%other 22.9%

Age structure

0-14 years:
15.3% (male 152,341; female 144,189)
15-64 years:
70% (male 687,939; female 666,194)
65 years and over:
14.7% (male 105,837; female 179,177) (2003 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.59 male(s)/female
total population:
0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Slovene(s)
adjective:
Slovenian

Languages

Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3%

Government

Parliamentary democratic republic; President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002); Prime Minister Anton ROP (since 11 December 2002)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

36%
LDS 36%SDS 16%ZLSD 12%SLS/SKD 10%NSi 9%SMS 4%SNS 4%DeSUS 5%other 4%National Assembly - last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004)

National Assembly or Drzavni Zborpercent of vote

LDS 36%SDS 16%ZLSD 12%SLS/SKD 10%NSi 9%SMS 4%SNS 4%DeSUS 5%other 4%

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form:
Slovenia
local short form:
Slovenija
local long form:
Republika Slovenija

Government type

parliamentary democratic republic

Capital

Ljubljana

Administrative divisions

182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece; note: there may be 45 more municipalities

Independence

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday

Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)

Constitution

adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002)
head of government:
Prime Minister Anton ROP (since 11 December 2002)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly
election results:
  • Janez DRNOVSEK elected president;
  • percent of vote - Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%;
  • Anton ROP elected prime minister;
  • National Assembly vote - 63 to 24
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
  • election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007);
  • following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly;
  • election last held 6 December 2002 (next National Assembly elections to be held NA October 2004)

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results:
  • percent of vote by party - LDS 36%, SDS 16%, ZLSD 12%, SLS/SKD 10%, NSi 9%, SMS 4%, SNS 4%, DeSUS 5%, other 4%;
  • seats by party - LDS 34, SDS 13, ZLSD 11, SLS 10, NSi 8, SMS 4, SNS 4, DeSUS 4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each

note: the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to review any National Assembly decisions;

in the election of November 1997, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic interests

elections:
National Assembly - last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004)

Judicial branch

  • Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council);
  • Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president)

Political parties and leaders

  • Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [Anton ROUS];
  • Liberal Democratic or LDS [Anton ROP];
  • New Slovenia or NSi [Andrej BAJUK];
  • Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC];
  • Slovene People's Party or SLS [Franc BUT];
  • Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Dominic CERNJAK];
  • Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDS [Janez JANSA];
  • United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR]

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACCT (observer), BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Davorin KRACUN
FAX:
[1] (202) 667-4563
consulate(s) general:
New York and Cleveland
telephone:
[1] (202) 667-5363
chancery:
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Johnny YOUNG
embassy:
Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
mailing address:
American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140
telephone:
[386] (1) 200-5500
FAX:
[386] (1) 200-5555

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with 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 great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands

Economy

Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP per capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning economies of Central Europe.

41 fields
Real growth rate
3.2%
(2002 est.)industrial production growth: 2.4% (2002)
Unemployment rate
11%
(2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2001 est.)

agriculture 3.2%industry 36.3%services 60.5% (2001 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

23.9%
Germany
20%
12.7%
Italy
19%
9.5%
Austria
11.3%
7.4%
France
10.5%
8%
Croatia
4.4%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Exports $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)Imports $11.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)(2002)

Budget

Revenues
$8.11 billionExpenditures
$8.32 billion (1997 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 35.2%hydro 27.3%other 0.7% (2001)nuclear 36.8%
Electricity production
13.69 billion (2001)Electricity consumption
13.83 billion (2001)Electricity exports
3 billion (2001)Electricity imports
4.1 billion (2001)

Economy - overview

Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP per capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning economies of Central Europe. Privatization of the economy proceeded at an accelerated pace in 2002-3, and the budget deficit dropped from 3.0% of GDP in 2002 to 1.9% in 2003.

Despite the economic slowdown in Europe in 2001-03, Slovenia maintained 3% growth. Structural reforms to improve the business environment allow for greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and help to lower unemployment. Further measures to curb inflation are also needed.

Corruption and the high degree of coordination between government, business, and central bank policy are issues of concern in the run-up to Slovenia's scheduled 1 May 2004 accession to the European Union.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $37.06 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
3.9%
highest 10%:
23% (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Industries

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

Oil - production

20 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry

Exports

$10.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports

$11.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

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

Debt - external

$7.9 billion (2001)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $62 million (2000 est.)

Currency

tolar (SIT)

Exchange rates

tolars per US dollar - 240.25 (2002), 242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000), 181.77 (1999), 166.13 (1998)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
1 million
(2000)
Fixed lines
722,000
(1997) · country code .si

Telephone system

general assessment:
NA
domestic:
100% digital (2000)
international:
NA

Radio broadcast stations

AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)

Internet users

600,000 (2001)

Transportation

8 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

1
over 3,047 m
1
2,438 to 3,047 m
1
1,524 to 2,437 m
2
2
914 to 1,523 m
3
1
under 914 m
5
Paved 6Unpaved 10

Networkskm

Highways
20,177Railways
1,201
Highways: paved: 20,157 km (including 427 km of expressways) · unpaved: 20 km (2000) · Railways: standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2002)

Railways

total:
1,201 km
standard gauge:
1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2002)

Highways

total:
20,177 km
paved:
20,157 km (including 427 km of expressways)
unpaved:
20 km (2000)

Pipelines

gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2003)

Ports and harbors

Izola, Koper, Piran

Airports

16 (2002)

Military

Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)

7 fields

Military branches

Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)

Military manpower - military age

19 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 520,037 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 413,453 (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

parliamentarians are far from ratifying the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia

Illicit drugs

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

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Slovenia.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/slovenia/2003.