Slovakia Population: 5,477,038
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| Background | |
| Slovakia's roots can be traced to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. Subsequently, the Slovaks became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. Following the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (Magyarization) resulted in a strengthening of Slovak nationalism and a cultivation of cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who were themselves ruled by the Austrians. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009. |
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| Geography | |
| Landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys | |
| Location: | Central Europe, south of Poland |
| Geographic coordinates: | 48 40 N, 19 30 E |
| Area: | total: 49,035 sq km land: 48,105 sq km water: 930 sq km Size comparison: about twice the size of New Hampshire |
| Land Boundaries: | total: 1,474 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km |
| Coastline: | 0 km (landlocked) |
| Maritime claims: | none (landlocked) |
| Climate: | temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters |
| Terrain: | rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m |
| Natural resources: | brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land |
| Land use: | arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 1,660 sq km (2008) |
| Natural hazards: | NA |
| Current Environment Issues: | air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests |
| International Environment Agreements: | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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| People | |
| Population: | 5,477,038 (July 2011 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 437,755/female 417,797) 15-64 years: 71.6% (male 1,955,031/female 1,965,554) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 262,363/female 438,538) (2011 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 37.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 39.2 years (2011 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 0.117% (2011 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 10.48 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) |
| Death rate: | 9.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.051 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 75.83 years male: 71.92 years female: 79.93 years (2011 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 1.37 children born/woman (2011 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | less than 0.1% (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | fewer than 500 (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | fewer than 100 (2009 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak |
| Ethnic groups: | Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) |
| Religions: | Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census) |
| Languages: | Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census) |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2004) |
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| Government | |
| Country name: | conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko |
| Government type: | parliamentary democracy |
| Capital: | 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 |
| Administrative divisions: | 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky |
| Independence: | 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) |
| National holiday: | Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) |
| Constitution: | ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed September 1998; amended February 2001 note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership |
| Legal system: | civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; note - legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal system |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Iveta RADICOVA (since 8 July 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Jan FIGEL, Ivan MIKLOS, Jozef MIHAL, Rudolf CHMEL (since 9 July 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5% |
| Legislative branch: | unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 12 June 2010 (next to be held in June 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 34.8%, SDKU-DS 15%, SaS 12.1%, KDH 8.5%, Most-Hid 8.1%, SNS 5.1%, other 16.2%; seats by party - Smer 62, SDKU-DS 28, SaS 22, KDH 15, Most-Hid 14, SNS 9 |
| Judicial branch: | Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president) |
| Political parties and leaders: | parties in the Parliament:: Bridge or Most-Hid [Bela BUGAR]; Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Jan FIGEL]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA] selected parties outside the Parliament:: Alliance for a Europe of Nations or AZEN [Milan URBANI]; Association of Slovak Workers or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; Green Party or SZ [Peter PILINSKY]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Marek BLAHA]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Jozsef BERENYI]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; People's Party - Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA]; Union - Party for Slovakia or Unia [Milan CELIK] |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS; Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; Slovenska Pospolitost; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS |
| International organization participation: | Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861 |
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| Economy | |
| Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite a general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 7.7% in 2008 but remains the economy's Achilles heel. Foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for much of the growth until 2008. Cheap and skilled labor, low taxes, a 19% flat tax for corporations and individuals, no dividend taxes, a relatively liberal labor code and a favorable geographical location are Slovakia's main advantages for foreign investors. Foreign investment in the automotive and electronic sectors has been especially strong. To maintain a stable operating environment for investors, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development advised the Slovak government to refrain from intervening in important sectors of the economy. However, Bratislava's approach to mitigating the economic slowdown has included substantial government intervention and the option to nationalize strategic companies. RADICOVA's government, in power since July 2010, has allowed the budget deficit to rise slightly, to 7.9% of GDP in 2010. GDP fell nearly 5% in 2009 before gaining back 4% in 2010, and unemployment rose above 12% in 2010, as the global recession impacted many segments of the economy. | |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | GDP (purchasing power parity): $120.2 billion (2010 est.) $115.5 billion (2009 est.) $121.3 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | GDP (official exchange rate): $87.45 billion (2010 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 4% (2010 est.) -4.8% (2009 est.) 5.8% (2008 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | GDP - per capita (PPP): $22,000 (2010 est.) $21,100 (2009 est.) $22,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 3.9% industry: 34.5% services: 61.6% (2010 est.) |
| Labor force: | 2.707 million (2010 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 3.5% industry: 27% services: 69.4% (December 2009) |
| Unemployment rate: | 13.5% (2010 est.) 11.4% (2009 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | 21% (2002) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 20.9% (1996) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index: | 26 (2005) 26.3 (1996) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2010 est.) 1.6% (2009 est.) |
| Investment (gross fixed): | Investment (gross fixed): 20.3% of GDP (2010 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $28.92 billion expenditures: $35.82 billion (2010 est.) |
| Public debt: | 41% of GDP (2010 est.) 35.4% of GDP (2009 est.) |
| Agriculture - products: | grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products |
| Industries: | metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 18.8% (2010 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | 24.7 billion kWh (2009 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption: | 28.75 billion kWh (2009 est.) |
| Electricity - exports: | 7.682 billion kWh (2009 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 1.312 billion kWh (2009 est.) |
| Oil - production: | 8,281 bbl/day (2010 est.) |
| Oil - consumption: | 83,810 bbl/day (2010 est.) |
| Oil - exports: | 78,940 bbl/day (2009 est.) |
| Oil - imports: | 139,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves: | 9 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.) |
| Natural gas - production: | 103 million cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 6.413 billion cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 808 million cu m (2009 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 6.425 billion cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) |
| Current account balance: | -$3.173 billion (2010 est.) -$2.819 billion (2009 est.) |
| Exports: | $67.97 billion (2010 est.) $55.32 billion (2009 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | machinery and electrical equipment 35.9%, vehicles 21%, base metals 11.3%, chemicals and minerals 8.1%, plastics 4.9% (2009 est.) |
| Exports - partners: | Germany 20.1%, Czech Republic 14.8%, Poland 7.9%, Hungary 7.3%, France 7.2%, Austria 7.1%, Italy 5.8% (2010) |
| Imports: | $67.77 billion (2010 est.) $53.67 billion (2009 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | machinery and transport equipment 31%, mineral products 13%, vehicles 12%, base metals 9%, chemicals 8%, plastics 6% (2009 est.) |
| Imports - partners: | Czech Republic 18.9%, Germany 18.3%, Russia 9.5%, Hungary 7.4%, Poland 5.6%, South Korea 5.1%, Austria 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2010) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: | $2.161 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.821 billion (31 December 2009 est.) |
| Debt - external: | $59.33 billion (30 June 2010 est.) $52.53 billion (31 December 2008) |
| Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: | $50.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $50.26 billion (31 December 2009 est.) |
| Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: | $3.072 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.743 billion (31 December 2009 est.) |
| Market value of publicly traded shares: | $4.15 billion (31 December 2010) $4.672 billion (31 December 2009) $5.079 billion (31 December 2008) |
| Exchange rates: | euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.7198 (2009) Slovak koruny (SKK) per US dollar - 21.05 (2008) 24.919 (2007) 29.611 (2006) note: on 1 January 2009 Slovakia adopted the euro as legal tender |
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| Communications | |
| Telephones in use: | 1.022 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 78 |
| Cellular Phones in use: | 5.498 million (2009) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services domestic: analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services international: country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services |
| Radio broadcast stations: | |
| Television broadcast stations: | |
| Internet country code: | .sk |
| Internet hosts: | 1.133 million (2010) |
| Internet users: | 4.063 million (2009) |
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| Transportation | |
| Airports: | 36 (2010) country comparison to the world: 107 |
| Airports (paved runways): | total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2010) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): | total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2010) |
| Heliports: | 1 (2010) |
| Pipelines: | gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2010) |
| Railways: | total: 3,622 km broad gauge: 99 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,615 km electrified) narrow gauge: 50 km 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge (2010) |
| Roadways: | total: 43,761 km paved: 38,085 km (includes 384 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,676 km (2008) |
| Waterways: | 172 km (on Danube River) (2009) |
| Merchant marine: | total: 23 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 19, refrigerated cargo 3 foreign-owned: 21 (Germany 4, Greece 1, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Montenegro 1, Poland 2, Slovenia 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 7) (2010) |
| Ports and terminals: | Bratislava, Komarno |
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| Military | |
| Military branches: | Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2010) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women are eligible to serve (2011) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 1,405,310 females age 16-49: 1,369,897 (2010 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 1,156,113 females age 16-49: 1,139,380 (2010 est.) |
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