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Slovakia

Europe

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Slovakia, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
5.52M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Births
52.3k
births per year, 2023
Total fertility rate
1.56
children per woman, 2023
Internet users
89.8
% of population, 2024
Mobile cellular subscriptions
140
per 100 people, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
40,690
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Urban population
53.2
% of population, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 3.61 in 1950 → 1.56 in 2023 (−57%). Low: 1.19 in 2002; +32% since then. Threshold: below 2.1 since 1989. The trend broke around 1991 and 2001: −0.04 → −0.07 → +0.02 a year.
  • Births: 100k in 1950 → 52.3k in 2023 (−48%). The trend broke around 1985 and 1999: −0.07k → −2.58k → +0.12k a year.
  • Population: 3.47M in 1950 → 5.52M in 2023 (+59%). The trend broke around 1961 and 1989: +66.4k → +39.6k → +4.92k a year.
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 89.8% in 2024 (+90 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 2001, above 50% since 2004. Fastest growth in 1999–2004: 5.4% → 52.9%.
  • Urban share: 33.4% in 1960 → 53.2% in 2025 (+20 pp). Threshold: above 50% since 1978. The trend broke around 1983 and 1990: +0.96 → +0.44 → −0.13 a year.
  • GDP per person (PPP): 17,521 PPP dollars in 1990 → 40,690 PPP dollars in 2025 (+132%). Low: 13,946 PPP dollars in 1992; ×2.9 since then. The trend broke around 2002 and 2008: +385 → +1,520 → +741 a year.
  • GDP growth: on average 4.8% in the 1990s, 4.4% in the 2000s, 3.1% in the 2010s, 1.4% in the 2020s. Lowest: −5.5% in 2009; highest: 10.8% in 2007.
  • Inflation: on average 8.7% in the 1990s, 5.2% in the 2000s, 1.6% in the 2010s, 5.9% in the 2020s. Lowest: −0.5% in 2016; highest: 13.5% in 1994.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1957–1967: 3.35 → 2.49. Over the same years: births 97.4k → 76.8k; population 3.94M → 4.44M; urban share 38.3% (1967); no data for the others in those years.
  • Over the last 10 years (2013–2023): fertility (TFR) 1.40 → 1.56; births 57.3k → 52.3k; population 5.41M → 5.52M; internet 77.9% → 87.2%; urban share 54.1% → 53.2%; GDP per person (PPP) 31,078 PPP dollars → 39,502 PPP dollars; GDP growth 0.7% → 2.1%; inflation 1.5% → 11%.

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2023, 32 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.09); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.29).
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2023, 64 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.79); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.31). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2023, 34 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.14); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.03).

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 2 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 9; median gap +4.4%.
  • The UN 2000 projection expected today's level (1.56, 2023) only around 2034: reality is 11 years ahead of it.
  • The UN 2017 projection expected today's level (1.56, 2023) only around 2027: reality is 4 years ahead of it.
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 1.60 (+3% vs 2023), 2100 — 1.63 (+4% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 1.13.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 2 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 9; median gap +5.1%.
  • The UN 2000 projection expected this level (52.3k) already around 2013: reality is 10 years behind it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (52.3k, 2023) only around 2027: reality is 4 years ahead of it.
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 42.4k (−19% vs 2023), 2100 — 26k (−50% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 8.7k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 2 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 10; median gap +1.7%.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 4.94M (−11% vs 2023), 2100 — 3.43M (−38% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 2.29M.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 1.7 pp below the forecast; below it in 72% of cases; typical error ±2.5 pp. The biggest miss was for 2009: IMF, October 2008 expected 5.6%, the outcome was −5.5%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 0.6%, 2028 — 2.6%, 2031 — 1.8%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0.5 pp above the forecast; below it in 50% of cases; typical error ±2 pp. The biggest miss was for 2022: IMF, April 2021 expected 1.9%, the outcome was 12.1%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 4.2%, 2028 — 2.9%, 2031 — 2%.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Slovakia: PopulationActual 2023: 5.52M5M5.2M5.4M5.6M5.8M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years5.42M5.52M+1.9%
UN 2000202323 years5.35M5.52M+3.2%
UN 2002202321 years5.41M5.52M+2%
UN 2004202319 years5.32M5.52M+3.8%
UN 2006202317 years5.34M5.52M+3.4%
UN 2008202315 years5.43M5.52M+1.6%
UN 2010202313 years5.56M5.52M−0.8%
UN 2012202311 years5.46M5.52M+1%
UN 201520238 years5.43M5.52M+1.7%
UN 201720236 years5.45M5.52M+1.3%
UN 201920234 years5.46M5.52M+1.1%
UN 202220231 year5.8M5.52M−4.8%

Births

births per year
Slovakia: BirthsActual 2023: 52.3k30k40k50k60k70k80k19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years54.1k57.2k+5.7%
UN 20002015–202018 years49.8k57.2k+14.9%
UN 20022015–202016 years54.5k57.2k+5.1%
UN 20042015–202014 years47.8k57.2k+19.7%
UN 20062015–202012 years49.5k57.2k+15.6%
UN 20082015–202010 years53.6k57.2k+6.8%
UN 20102015–20208 years59.5k57.2k−3.8%
UN 20122015–20206 years57.2k57.2k+0.1%
UN 20152015–20202 years56.5k57.2k+1.3%
UN 20172015–20200 years56.3k57.2k+1.6%
UN 202220231 year62.5k52.3k−16.3%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Slovakia: Total fertility rateActual 2023: 1.5611.522.519902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years1.561.52−2.5%
UN 20002015–202018 years1.371.52+11.1%
UN 20022015–202016 years1.501.52+1.4%
UN 20042015–202014 years1.291.52+17.8%
UN 20062015–202012 years1.331.52+14.6%
UN 20082015–202010 years1.401.52+9.1%
UN 20102015–20208 years1.471.52+3.8%
UN 20122015–20206 years1.461.52+4.4%
UN 20152015–20202 years1.441.52+5.8%
UN 20172015–20200 years1.461.52+4.1%
UN 202220231 year1.571.56−0.9%

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Slovakia: Real GDP growthActual 2025: 0.8−10−50510152000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth36−1.7 pp2.5 pp72%
Inflation36+0.5 pp2 pp50%
Unemployment rate30−0.1 pp1.2 pp63%
Government gross debt26+0.5 pp3.8 pp62%

All indicators

Demography

Population

5.52M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Population1950: 3.47M; 2023: 5.52M02M4M6M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Births

52.3k births per year latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Births1950: 100k; 2023: 52.3k050k100k150k19501975200020252050

Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Total fertility rate

1.56 children per woman latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Total fertility rate1950: 3.61; 2023: 1.560.001.002.003.004.0019501975200020252050

Average number of children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, women

81.6 years latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 62.5; 2023: 81.602040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

75 years latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 59; 2023: 7502040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

41.3 years latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Median age1950: 26; 2023: 41.30102030405019501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

28.9 years latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 28.2; 2023: 28.901020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

105.5 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Sex ratio at birth1950: 107; 2023: 105.505010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration

4.93k persons per year latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Net migration1950: −5.54k; 2023: 4.93k−50k050k100k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Old-age dependency

26.8 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Slovakia: Old-age dependency1950: 11.9; 2020: 26.8020406019501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Digitalisation

Internet users

89.8 % of population latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 89.80204060801001990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

140 per 100 people latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2024: 1400501001501960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

33.8 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Fixed broadband subscriptions2002: 0.1; 2024: 33.80102030402005201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

40,690 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Slovakia: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 17,521; 2025: 40,690010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

0.8 % per year latest value, 2025

Slovakia: Real GDP growth1994: 6.2; 2025: 0.80510151995200020052010201520202025

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

4.2 % per year, average latest value, 2025

Slovakia: Inflation1994: 13.5; 2025: 4.20510151995200020052010201520202025

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

59.7 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Government gross debt1995: 21.3; 2024: 59.7020406080199520002005201020152020

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment rate

5.3 % of labour force latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Unemployment rate1993: 12.7; 2024: 5.305101520199520002005201020152020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force (IMF WEO; national definitions).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

GDP per capita, US dollars

28,498 current US dollars latest value, 2025

Slovakia: GDP per capita, US dollars1993: 2,606; 2025: 28,498010,00020,00030,0001995200020052010201520202025

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Society

Urban population

53.2 % of population latest value, 2025

Slovakia: Urban population1960: 33.4; 2025: 53.202040601960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

64.9 % gross latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Tertiary enrolment, women2001: 32.2; 2024: 64.90204060802005201020152020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

87 % of women 25+ latest value, 2023

Slovakia: Women with upper secondary education1991: 7.6; 2023: 87020406080100199520002005201020152020

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

78.4 years latest value, 2024

Slovakia: Life expectancy at birth1960: 70.3; 2024: 78.40204060801960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Same region: Europe