Slovenia
Republic of SloveniaRepublika Slovenija
parliamentary republicIndependence 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
Slovenia as the 2013 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 164 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.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 eurozone in 2007.
Geography
South Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia
20 fieldsLand useshare of 20,273 sq km
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
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 0.94 cu km/yr (18%/82%/0%)
- per capita:
- 462.9 cu m/yr (2009)
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-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
Geography - note
despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
People and Society
34 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2013 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2013 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2002 census)
Religions(2002 census)
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)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- 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:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.66 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Government
Parliamentary republic; President Borut PAHOR (since 22 December 2012); Prime Minister Alenka BRATUSEK (since 20 March 2013)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 90 seatsone dot, one seat
Percent of vote
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
Capital
- name:
- Ljubljana
- geographic coordinates:
- 46 03 N, 14 31 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
Administrative divisions
200 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)
- municipalities:
- Ajdovscina, 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 pr
- urban municipalities:
- Celje, Koper-Capodistria, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje
Constitution
- previous 1974 (preindependence);
- latest passed by legislature 23 December 1991;
- amended several times, last in 2013 (2013)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Borut PAHOR (since 22 December 2012)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Alenka BRATUSEK (since 20 March 2013)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
- election last held on 11 November and a runoff on 2 December 2012 (next presidential election to be held in 2017);
- following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly
- election results:
- Borut PAHOR elected president;
- percent of vote - Borut PAHOR 67.4%, Danilo TURK 32.6%;
- on February 27, 2013 a no-confidence vote in Parliament resulted in Alenka BRATUSEK becoming prime minister designate;
- BRATUSEK became prime minister (Slovenia's first female prime minister) on 20 March 2013 after her cabinet was approved
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament consists of a National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve five-year terms; note - this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decision, and call national referenda) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 88 members are elected on a proportional basis and 2 are elected by the Italian and Hungarian minorities through a majoritarian, preferential system; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- National Assembly - last held on 4 December 2011 (next to be held in 2015)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - PS 28.6%, SDS 26.2%, SD 10.5%, LGV 8.4%, DeSUS 7%, SLS 6.9%, NSi 4.8%, other 7.6%;
- seats by party - PS 28, SDS 26, SD 10, LGV 8, DeSUS 6, SLS 6, NSi 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 37 judges organized into 7 departments - civil, criminal, commercial, labor and social security, administrative, registry, and international cooperation);
- 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 judge term NA;
- 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
Political parties and leaders
- Civic List or DL [Gregor VIRANT] (formerly LGV)
- Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC]
- New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK]
- Positive Slovenia or PS [Alenka BRATUSEK (interim)]
- Slovene People's Party or SLS [Radovan ZERJAV]
- Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]
- Social Democrats or SD [Igor LUKSIC] (formerly ZLSD)
Political pressure groups and leaders
Slovenian Roma Association [Jozek Horvat MUC]; various trade and public sector employee unions; other: Catholic Church
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), 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
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Bozo CERAR (since 6 September 2013)
- chancery:
- 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 386-6601
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 386-6633
- consulate(s) general:
- Cleveland, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Joseph A. MUSSOMELI (since 29 October 2010)
- embassy:
- Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
- mailing address:
- American Embassy Ljubljana, US 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, 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 great 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
Economy
Slovenia became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced one of the most stable political and economic transitions in Central and Southeastern Europe.
41 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
Economy - overview
Slovenia became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced one of the most stable political and economic transitions in Central and Southeastern Europe. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe.
Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of the highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and helped to lower unemployment. 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. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere.
In 2009, the global recession caused the economy to contract - through falling exports and industrial production - by 8%, and unemployment to rise. Although growth resumed in 2010, it dipped into negative territory in 2012 and the unemployment rate continued to rise, approaching 12% in 2012.
Gross national saving
19.8% of GDP (2012 est.) · 20.1% of GDP (2011 est.) · 20.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
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
Distribution of family income - Gini index
23.8 (2011) · 23.8 (2004) country comparison to the world: 135
Public debt
47.6% of GDP (2012 est.) · 41.9% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 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
Central bank discount rate
1.5% (31 December 2012) · 1.75% (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 123 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
5.73% (31 December 2012 est.) · 5.82% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Stock of narrow money
$16.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.) · $16.12 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 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
Stock of broad money
$26.52 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $25.62 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Stock of domestic credit
$46.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $48.54 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Current account balance
$1.491 billion (2012 est.) · $203.2 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Imports - commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$951.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) · $991.3 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Debt - external
$53.88 billion (31 December 2012) · $52.07 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 61
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$16.96 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $16.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$8.878 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $9.439 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) · 0.72 (2011 est.) · 0.76 (2010 est.) · 0.72 (2009 est.) · 0.68 (2008 est.)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 3.193 million kW(2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
38% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
20.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
33.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - from other renewable sources
1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
15.83 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- well-developed telecommunications infrastructure
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 150 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 386 (2011)
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)
Transportation
9 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Railways
- total:
- 1,228 km
country comparison to the world: 84
- standard gauge:
- 1,228 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2007)
Roadways
- total:
- 38,985 km
country comparison to the world: 91
- paved:
- 38,985 km (includes 769 km of expressways) (2012)
Merchant marine
registered in other countries: 24 (Cyprus 5, Liberia 7, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 90
Military
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)
6 fieldsMilitary 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)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2012)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
- since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Pirin 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 to Slovenia lifting its objections to Croatia joining the EU;
- Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirements;
- 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
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 2013. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/slovenia/2013.