Slovakia

Slovakia traces its roots to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. The Slovaks then 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, language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (known as "Magyarization") led to a public backlash that boosted Slovak nationalism and strengthened Slovak cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who fell administratively under the Austrian half of the empire. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939, in the wake of Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland, the newly established Slovak Republic became a German client state for the remainder of World War II.

After World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and came under communist rule within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. In 1968, Warsaw Pact troops invaded and 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 2004 and the euro zone in 2009.

48 40 N, 19 30 E

flooding

about 1.5 times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire

air pollution and acid rain; land erosion from agricultural and mining practices; water pollution

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

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 1,587 km

Border countries (5): Austria 105 km; Czechia 241 km; Hungary 627 km; Poland 517 km; Ukraine 97 km

Agricultural land: 38% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 27.2% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 10.4% (2023 est.)

Forest: 40.3% (2023 est.)

Other: 21.4% (2023 est.)

none (landlocked)

lignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land

landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys

rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south

Central Europe, south of Poland

Europe

259 sq km (2022)

50.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border

Highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

Lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m

Mean elevation: 458 m

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Dunaj (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

Total : 49,035 sq km

Land: 48,105 sq km

Water: 930 sq km

0-14 years: 15.3% (male 444,033/female 408,902)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,834,359/female 1,867,158)

65 years and over: 18.1% (2024 est.) (male 406,355/female 602,842)

At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Slovak(s)

Adjective: Slovak

Total: 15 years (2023 est.)

Male: 15 years (2023 est.)

Female: 16 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 54% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.17% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

441,000 BRATISLAVA (capital) (2023)

3.7 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

5.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

27.2 years (2020 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 50.3 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 23 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 27.3 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 3.7 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

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

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.)

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.

7.8% of GDP (2021)

14.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.77 (2024 est.)

49.2% (2023 est.)

Total: 18.2% (2024 est.)

Male: 20.1% (2024 est.)

Female: 15% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 42.8 years (2024 est.)

Male: 41.3 years

Female: 44.4 years

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.6 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 5,563,649 (2024 est.)

Male: 2,684,747

Female: 2,878,902

Total: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 30.3% (2025 est.)

Male: 34.5% (2025 est.)

Female: 26.3% (2025 est.)

20.5% (2016)

11.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

10 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 10.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 4.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 2.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 4.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 77.2 years (2024 est.)

Male: 73.7 years

Female: 81 years

4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

11% national budget (2022 est.)

-0.08% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 306.21 million cubic meters (2022)

Industrial: 224.562 million cubic meters (2022)

Agricultural: 32.851 million cubic meters (2022)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.296 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.2% (2022 est.)

16.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

30.087 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 9.607 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 12.112 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 8.368 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

127.582 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Gautam A. RANA (since 28 September 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/

8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Trnava, Zilina

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 meaning is unclear but has medieval Slavic origins; the name was adopted in 1919 after Czechoslovakia gained its independence, replacing the name Prešporok

History: Several previous (pre-independence); latest passed by the National Council 1 September 1992, signed 3 September 1992, effective 1 October 1992

Amendment process: Proposed by the National Council; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote of Council members

Chief of state: President Peter PELLEGRINI (since 15 June 2024)

Head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 25 October 2023)

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

Election/appointment process: President directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following National Council elections, 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

Most recent election date: 23 March 2024, with a runoff on 6 April 2024

Election results:
2024: Peter PELLEGRINI elected president in the second round; percent of vote in second round Peter PELLEGRINI 53.1%; Ivan KORCOK 46.9%; percent of vote in first round - Ivan KORCOK (independent) 42.5%; Peter PELLEGRINI (Hlas-SD) 37%; Stefan HARABIN (independent) 11.7%, other 8.8%; 

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

Expected date of next election: 2029

Description: Three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red; the national coat of arms (a red shield bordered in white, with a white double-barred cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius on top of three blue hills) is centered over the bands but offset to the left

Meaning: White, blue, and red are the pan-Slav colors

Note: The pan-Slav colors were inspired by Russia's flag

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Highest court(s): 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

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes

Legislature name: National Council (Narodna rada Slovenskej republiky)

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Chamber name: National Council (Národná rada)

Number of seats: 150 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Proportional representation

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 4 years

Most recent election date: 9/30/2023

Parties elected and seats per party: Smer - Social Democracy (Smer-SD) (42); Progressive Slovakia (PS) (32); Hlas (“Voice”) - SD (27); Coalition OĽaNO and Friends, 'For the People' and 'Christian Union' (16); Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) (12); Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) (11); Slovak National Party (SNS) (10)

Percentage of women in chamber: 23.3%

Expected date of next election: September 2027

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

Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)

Direction - Social Democracy or SMER-SD
Freedom and Solidarity or SaS
Progressive Slovakia or PS
Republic
Slovakia
The Slovak National Party or SNS
The Christian Democratic Movement or KDH
Voice - Social Democracy or HLAS-SD

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary republic

Conventional long form: Slovak Republic

Conventional short form: Slovakia

Local long form: Slovenska republika

Local short form: Slovensko

Etymology: The country takes its name from the local Slav ethnic group; the origin of the group's name is unclear, although early forms were used in Medieval Latin (Sclavus) and Byzantine Greek (Sklabos)

Title: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Storm Over the Tatras)

Lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional

History: Adopted 1993;  music based on an 1843 Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku" (She Was Digging a Well)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

double-barred cross (Cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius) over three peaks

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

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)

white, blue, red

Chief of mission: Ambassador Andrej DROBA (since 16 December 2025)

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: New York

13.7% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.8% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 18.2% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

cars, vehicle parts/accessories, video displays, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Germany 20%, Czechia 10%, Hungary 7%, USA 6%, Poland 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

wheat, sugar beets, maize, milk, barley, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, potatoes, soybeans, pork (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $43.882 billion (2022 est.)

Expenditures: $46.056 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

vehicle parts/accessories, broadcasting equipment, cars, plastic products, insulated wire (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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.)

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

$141.776 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 58.4% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 20% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: -1.3% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 91.3% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -89.8% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Germany 16%, Czechia 14%, Poland 8%, China 7%, Hungary 6% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

On food: 19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On alcohol and tobacco: 4.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

1.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
2% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

2.779 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$14.452 billion (2024 est.)
$11.288 billion (2023 est.)
$10.28 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

64.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

5.3% (2024 est.)
5.9% (2023 est.)
6.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

19.4% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$218.762 billion (2024 est.)
$214.343 billion (2023 est.)
$209.794 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

2.8% (2024 est.)
10.5% (2023 est.)
12.8% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$3.895 billion (2024 est.)
-$1.169 billion (2023 est.)
-$11.126 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$40,300 (2024 est.)
$39,500 (2023 est.)
$38,600 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$120.29 billion (2024 est.)
$119.739 billion (2023 est.)
$121.473 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$120.355 billion (2024 est.)
$122.04 billion (2023 est.)
$114.519 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

2.1% (2024 est.)
2.2% (2023 est.)
0.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.3% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 2% (2024 est.)

Industry: 28.5% (2024 est.)

Services: 60% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Production: 2.315 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption: 6.066 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 3.658 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 19 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 14.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Nuclear: 63.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 13.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 5.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Production: 46.585 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Consumption: 4.277 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports: 4.56 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 14.158 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Total petroleum production: 7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 90,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 9 million barrels (2021 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 8.138 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 24.18 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 14.078 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 10.671 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 1.233 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 90% (2024 est.)

.sk

state-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), has 2 national TV stations; roughly 50 privately owned national, regional, and local TV stations; about 40% of households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; multiple RTVS national and regional radio networks; 32 privately owned radio stations

Total subscriptions: 7.63 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2022 est.)

Total: 1.83 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 505,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2023 est.)

Total: 3,627 km (2020) 1,585 km electrified

OM

116 (2025)

2 (2025)

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription in peacetime suspended in 2004 (2023)

Note: As of 2021, women made up nearly 13% of the military's full-time personnel

2% of GDP (2025 est.)
2% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Ground Forces (Slovenské Pozemné Sily), Air Forces (Slovenské Vzdušné Sily), Special Operations Forces (Sily Pre Speciálne Operácie)

Ministry of Interior: Slovak Police Force (SPF or Policajný Zbor) (2025)

Note: The SPF has sole responsibility for internal and border security

the Slovak military is responsible for external defense and fulfilling Slovakia’s commitments to European and international security; Slovakia has been a member of both the EU and NATO since 2004; a key focus of the Slovak military is fulfilling the country’s security responsibilities to NATO, including modernizing and acquiring NATO-compatible equipment, participating in training exercises, and providing forces for security missions such as NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States; since 2022, Slovakia has hosted a multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the NATO effort to boost the defenses of Eastern Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine; Slovakia also contributes to EU and UN peacekeeping missions

The Slovak Air Force has only a handful of fighter aircraft and is assisted by NATO’s air policing mission over Slovakia, which includes fighter aircraft from Czechia and Poland; in 2022, Slovakia signed a defense agreement with the US that allows the US to use two Slovak military air bases (2025)

approximately 17,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

200 Cyprus (UNFICYP); up to 150 Latvia (NATO)  (2025)

the military's inventory is a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more modern/NATO-compatible armaments from suppliers such as Germany and the US (2025)

Refugees: 144,349 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 65 (2024 est.)

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 5 (2025)

Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 1 (2025)

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 2.3GW (2025 est.)

Percent of total electricity production: 61.3% (2023 est.)

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 3 (2025)

Total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

Global geoparks and regional networks: Novohrad-Nógrád (includes Hungary) (2023)

24.1 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality