Slovenia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Slovenia, State of Southern Europe; 20,251 km², 2.1 million residents (2019). Slovenia, which became independent in 1991, borders in the north to Austria, in the northeast to Hungary, in the east and south to Croatia and in the west to Italy. The capital is Ljubljana (280 300 residents, 2017).

Country facts

Republic of Slovenia / Republic of Slovenia
Country abbreviation: SI
Area: 20 251 km²
Population (2019): 2.1 million residents
Capital: Ljubljana
Main languages: Slovenian
State: Republic
Head of State: Borut Pahor (President)
Head of Government: Janez Janša
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 26,234
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 24,840
Currency unit: euro
Currency code: EUR
Country Dialing (Telephony): 386
Internet domain names: si
Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
National Day: June 25 (Independence Day, 1991)

Nature

Land use: forest (53%), agricultural land (12%), other (35%)
Highest mountain: Triglav (2 864 m above sea level)

Population

Population density (2019): 104 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0%; birth rate 10 ‰, death rate 10 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (15%), 15-64 (65%), 65- (20%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 78 years, women 80 years
Infant mortality (2019): 2 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 2 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.896 (place 25 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 55%
Most populous cities (2017): Ljubljana (280 300 residents), Maribor (94 900)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (2%), industry (24%), service (66%)
Exports (2017): US $ 32 140 million
Main export products: machinery, electric motors, transport equipment
Main exporting countries: Germany, Italy, Austria
Imports (2017): US $ 30 380 million
Main import products: machinery, manufacturing, chemicals
Main importing countries: Germany, Italy, Austria
Railway network (2014): 1 200 km

Northern Slovenia is mainly a mountain landscape while in the west and south, limestone plateaus are spreading where the water eroded the bedrock and formed caves and underground drains. In the east and south-east there are plains that are pervaded by Sava, Drava and other tributaries to the Danube. Slovenia is in a transition zone between the warm Mediterranean climate and the cooler Central European climate.

According to the constitution, the government has the executive power and is responsible to Parliament. The prime minister is appointed by the president but must be approved by a majority in parliament. This consists of two chambers: the Legislative National Assembly, which elects for four years, and an upper house, which is elected for five years. The president, who is head of state and commander-in-chief, is elected in direct, general elections for five years. In practice, the office is almost entirely ceremonial. The country became independent in 1991.

Slovenia has a well-developed industry and the business sector is largely privatized, although the state has maintained a strong grip on, among other things. banking and insurance. The service sector has grown since independence and accounts for almost two-thirds of GDP.