Country Profile: Slovakia

Slovakia, located in Central Europe, is a landlocked country bordered by Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine. With a population of approximately 5.5 million, it boasts a rich cultural heritage rooted in a history of national identity development, particularly following its split from Czechoslovakia in 1993. The modern economy is characterized as a high-income EU member, heavily reliant on the automotive sector for manufacturing and exports. Slovakia operates as a parliamentary republic and has experienced stable governance since its entrance into the Eurozone in 2009.

Geography

Slovakia features a diverse landscape, with rugged mountains in the northern regions and lowlands towards the south. The climate is temperate, with cool summers and cold winters. As a landlocked country, it has no coastline, but the Danube River, one of its major waterways, plays a significant role in its geography and economy.

Area: 49,035 sq km
Natural resources: lignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper, and manganese ore
Elevation: Highest point at Gerlachovsky Stit (2,655 m)
Agricultural land: 38.8% (2022 est.)
Population distribution: Fairly even, with a concentration in the west near the Czech border

People and Society

Slovakia has a population of about 5.6 million, primarily Slovak with notable Hungarian and Romani minorities. The official language is Slovak, which is spoken by 81.8% of the population. The country demonstrates significant religious diversity, with Roman Catholicism being the most predominant faith.

Population: 5,563,649 (2024 est.)
Urbanization: 54% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Life Expectancy: 77.2 years (2024 est.)
Median Age: 42.8 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 10 births per 1,000 population (2024 est.)

Economy

Slovakia's economy is classified as high-income and is reinforced by a robust automotive sector. Economic growth is supported by private consumption and investment from EU funds, amidst challenges like inflation and an aging workforce. The country has a diversified industrial base and a growing service sector.

GDP (PPP): $218.762 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $40,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.3% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 2.8% (2024 est.)
Main Industries: Automotive, metals, chemicals, and electronics

Government

Slovakia operates as a parliamentary republic with a legal system based on civil law. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country has eight administrative regions and conducts elections with universal suffrage at the age of 18.

Capital: Bratislava
Last Presidential Election: 6 April 2024
Current President: Peter Pellegrini (since June 2024)
Legislature: National Council with 150 members
Independence: 1 January 1993

Military and Security

Slovakia maintains a professional military force, partaking in NATO operations since 2004. The armed forces focus on external defense and commitments to international security. The country has signed a defense agreement with the US and contributes to various peacekeeping missions.

Military Expenditure: 2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Military Personnel: Approximately 15,000 (2025)
Military Deployments: 240 personnel in Cyprus and up to 150 in Latvia (2024)
Military Service Age: 18-30 years (voluntary)
Member of NATO: Since 2004

Energy

Slovakia has achieved 100% electrification among its population. The energy sector is dominated by nuclear power, which generates the majority of the country's electricity. Slovakia is actively seeking to diversify its energy sources while managing its environmental impact.

Electricity Generation Capacity: 8.138 million kW (2023 est.)
Nuclear Energy: Accounts for 61.3% of total electricity production (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 127.582 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Installed Renewable Capacity: 2.1% solar and 13.9% hydroelectric (2023 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 30.087 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Environment

Slovakia faces several environmental challenges, including air pollution and land erosion. The country is committed to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and promoting biodiversity.

Urban Population: 54% (2023)
Air Pollution: Particulate matter emissions at 15.89 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 50.1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Forests: Cover 40.1% of the land (2022 est.)
Environmental Agreements: Party to multiple international protocols on air pollution and climate change

Transportation

Slovakia has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including extensive railway lines and numerous airports. The civil aircraft registration prefix is OM, indicating a modern aviation sector.

Railway Network: 3,627 km (2020)
Airports: 116 (2025)
Heliports: 2 (2025)
Civil Aircraft: Growing fleet under registration code OM
Public Transport: Comprehensive coverage across urban areas

Communications

With a high level of internet penetration, Slovakia maintains an advanced communications infrastructure catering to both fixed and mobile services.

Internet Users: 90% of the population (2024 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 7.63 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 1.83 million (2023 est.)
Telephones - Fixed Lines: 505,000 subscriptions (2023 est.)
Telephones - Mobile Cellular: 132 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,563,649 (2024 est.)
Area	49,035 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$218.762 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.3% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.2 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditure	2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban Population	54% of total population (2023)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	127.582 million Btu/person (2023 est.)