The Slovak Republic lies in the centre of Europe between 16º 50´05´´ and 22º 34´04´´ of eastern geographic length and 47º 43´54´´ and 49º 36´52´´ of northern geographic width.
Demographic situation
The long-lasting decrease of birth rate and unsatisfactory mortality rate in the SR resulted in gradual reduction in natural increase of population up to the extent that in 2001 – 2003 there occurred population decline in natural population increase, i.e., the rate of live-born children was lower than death rate. Due to positive migration balance the population decrease was not observed.
Since 2004, natural population increase has been positive with a maximum in 2011 (8 910 persons); the lowest value was reached in 2007 (568 persons). In 2018, the natural population increase reached 3,346 persons.
Basic demographic characteristics
| Year | ||||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | ||
| Population as at 31 December | 5 402 547 | 5 389 180 | 5 450 421 | |
| Of which females | absolute number | 2 776 486 | 2 773,308 | 2 789 344 |
| in % | 51.39 | 51.46 | 51.18 | |
| Natural increase | absolute number | 2 427 | 955 | 3 346 |
| per 1000 inhabitants1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | |
Note:
1 Converted to mid-year state
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2008. Demography and social statistic: Population Development in the Slovak Republic 2007 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vývoj obyvateľstva v Slovenskej republike 2007) (last accessed 09/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Demography and social statistic: We in Figures. Population movement 2018 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: My v číslach. Pohyb obyvateľstva 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
International migration (in persons)
| Year | |||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | |
| Migration volume | 3 085 | 7 149 | 10 551 |
| Immigrants | 2 274 | 5 276 | 7 253 |
| Emigrants | 811 | 1 873 | 3 298 |
| Migration balance | 1 463 | 3 403 | 3 955 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2008. Demography and social statistic: Population Development in the Slovak Republic 2007 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vývoj obyvateľstva v Slovenskej republike 2007) (last accessed 09/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Demography and social statistic: We in Figures. Population movement 2018 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: My v číslach. Pohyb obyvateľstva 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Population in working age started to decrease in 2011. The changes in composition of population according to economic age groups univocally point out population ageing. While in 2000 the portion of population in pre-productive age was 19.18 % in the SR, by 2005 it decreased to 16.59 % and by 2018 to 15.74 %. On the other hand, the portion of population in post-productive age increased .
Age composition of population as at 31 December according to economic age groups
| Age group | Year | ||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | |
| Number of persons | |||
| Pre-productive age (0-14 years) | 1 036 425 | 894 308 | 858 042 |
| Productive age (15-64 years) | 3 746 538 | 3 862 234 | 3 718 060 |
| Post-productive age (65 and over) | 619 584 | 632 638 | 874 319 |
| Total | 5 402 547 | 5 389 180 | 5 450 421 |
| Composition in % | |||
| Pre-productive age (0-14 years) | 19.18 | 16.54 | 15.74 |
| Productive age (15-64 years) | 69.35 | 71.67 | 68.22 |
| Post-productive age (65 and over) | 11.47 | 11.74 | 16.04 |
| Total | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2000 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2000) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2006. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2005 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2005) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Demography and social statistic: We in Figures. Population movement (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: My v číslach. Pohyb obyvateľstva 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
In 2018, the number of people aged between 0 – 29 decreased by 24.44% compared to 2000.
Children of compulsory school age (6 – 15 years) comprised 10.31 % of the total population of the Slovak Republic in 2018. The absolute number of these children decreased between 2000 and 2018 by 27.77%
Population aged 0 – 29 years, children of compulsory school age (CSA)
| Year | |||||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | |||
| Total population as at 31 December | 5 402 547 | 5 389 180 | 5 450 421 | ||
| Of which aged | 0-29 years | absolute number | 2 389 501 | 2 221 583 | 1 805 441 |
| in % | 44.23 | 41.22 | 33.12 | ||
| CSA (6-15 years) | absolute number | 777 694 | 659 025 | 561 758 | |
| in % | 14.39 | 12.33 | 10.31 | ||
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2000 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2000) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2006. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2005 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2005) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Demography and social statistic: We in Figures. Population movement (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: My v číslach. Pohyb obyvateľstva 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
During the last 18 years, the number of children aged 0-9 years has decreased by 8.02%; the number of young people aged 10-19 years decreased by 36.27, and the number of young people aged 20-29 years has decreased by 24.93%.
Population aged 0 – 29 years as at 31 December according to age groups of 10 years
| Age group (in years) | Year | ||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | |
| Number of persons | |||
| 0 - 9 | 635 337 | 543 996 | 584 354 |
| 10 - 19 | 844 903 | 758 418 | 538 465 |
| 20 - 29 | 909 261 | 919 169 | 682 622 |
| 0 - 29 | 2 389 501 | 2 221 583 | 1 805 441 |
| Composition in % | |||
| 0 - 9 | 26.59 | 24.49 | 32.37 |
| 10 - 19 | 35.36 | 34.14 | 29.82 |
| 20 - 29 | 38.05 | 41.37 | 37.81 |
| 0 - 29 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2000 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2000) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2006. Demography and social statistic: Age composition of the population of the Slovak Republic 2005 (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: Vekové zloženie obyvateľstva Slovenskej republiky 2005) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Demography and social statistic: We in Figures. Population movement (Demografia a sociálna štatistika: My v číslach. Pohyb obyvateľstva 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Rate of employment and unemployment
| Year | ||||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | ||
| Economically active persons (in thousand persons)1 | 2 608.2 | 2 645.7 | 2 746.2 | |
| Of which | employed | 2 101.7 | 2 216.2 | 2 566.7 |
| unemployed | 485.2 | 427.5 | 179.5 | |
| Of the total number of employeed in education sector | in thous.persons | 161.6 | 163.7 | 186.9 |
| in % | 7.7 | 7.4 | 7.3 | |
| Of the total number unemployed the persons aged 15-24 years | in thous.persons | 153.4 | 95.5 | 28.0 |
| in % | 31.6 | 22.3 | 15.6 | |
| Unemployment rate (in %) | 18.6 | 16.2 | 6.6 | |
Note:1 According to workforce survey – average numbers. Years 2000 and 2005 including soldiers in compulsory military service
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2004. Slovak Republic in Figures 2003 (Slovenská republika v číslach 2003) (last accessed 11/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2007. Slovak Republic in Figures 2006 (Slovenská republika v číslach 2006) (last accessed 11/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2018. Slovak Republic in Figures 2018 (Slovenská republika v číslach 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2018. Workers according to the Labor Force Sample Survey in 2018 (Pracujúci podľa Výberového zisťovania pracovných síl v roku 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2018. Unemployment according to the Labor Force Sample Survey in 2018 (Nezamestnanosť podľa Výberového zisťovania pracovných síl v roku 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2018. Unemployed according to the age in 2018 (Nezamestnaní podľa veku v roku 2018). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
The average gross nominal monthly wage of an employee in Slovak economy in 2016 reached 912.0 Euro which is a growth of 140.38% compared to the year 2000 and 59,05% compared to the year 2005.
The average gross nominal wage of employees working in education grew by 178.14% (from 298.4 EUR to 830.0 EUR) compared to the year 2000 and by 77.09% (from 468.7 EUR to 830.0 EUR) compared to the year 2005. Thus the difference between the average gross nominal monthly wage in education and the average gross nominal monthly wage in Slovak economy decreased to 8.99 % in 2016.
Wages
| Year | |||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2018 | |
| Average gross nominal monthly wage of employees in the economy of the SR converted to persons in total (in Eur) | 379.4 | 573.4 | 1013.0 |
| In education sector | 298.4 | 468.7 | 920.0 |
| Difference compared to average gross nominal monthly wage of employee in the economy of the SR (in %) | -21.35 | -18.26 | -9.18 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2004. Slovak Republic in Figures 2003 (Slovenská republika v číslach 2003) (last accessed 11/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2007. Slovak Republic in Figures 2006 (Slovenská republika v číslach 2006) (last accessed 11/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2019. Average monthly wage by industry in 2018 (Priemerná mesačná mzda podľa odvetví v roku 2017). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Official language and minority languages
On the territory of the Slovak Republic, the state official language is the Slovak language.
Its use is specified by the Act on the State Language.
State bodies and state organisations, bodies of territorial state administration and bodies of legal public establishment are obliged to use the official language during the performance of their activities over the entire territory of the Slovak Republic.
State language is used to
- issue legal regulations, decisions, and other public documents,
- conduct public authorities’ meetings,
- conduct administrative and judicial proceedings,
- conduct all official agenda and agenda of churches and religious societies intended for the public,
- give official names of municipalities and their parts, write chronicles, etc.
Learning of the state language is compulsory at all primary and secondary schools. Other languages can also be languages of instruction and examination within the extent set by law.
Rights of person belonging to a national minority and ethnic groups or rights of foreigners who do not master the official language are arranged for translation and interpretation under the conditions stated by law.
Names of municipalities, streets, notices, advertisements and announcements aimed at informing the public must be presented in the official language. The translation of these items into another language is possible, but the translated text can follow the same text in the official language in the same size.
The Act on the use of national minority languages allows for members of a national minority to use their minority language in official communications. This condition is that citizens of the Slovak Republic who belong to national minorities must make up more than 20% of the population of the municipality according to the last population census.
In addition to Slovak majority population, the territory of the Slovak Republic is inhabited by more national minorities. According to census results 12.26 % of inhabitants belonging to national minorities. Out of these, 69.28 % is comprised of people belonging to Hungarian minority.
The second biggest national minority in the Slovak Republic is the Romany minority, who make up 1.96 % of the total population. However, this number does not correspond to the real number of inhabitants of Romany origin residing in the Slovak Republic. Based on the result of population and housing census in 1970 and 1980, and on national committee registers of permanent Gypsy – Romany residents before 1989, they estimate that the territory of the Slovak Republic is currently inhabited by approximately 400 thousand Romany gypsies.
Population by nationality
| Nationality | Population according to population and housing census | |||
| as at 26 May 2001 | as at 21 May 2011 | |||
| in person | in % | in person | in % | |
| Slovak | 4 614 854 | 85.79 | 4 352 775 | 80.65 |
| Hungarian | 520 528 | 9.68 | 458 467 | 8.49 |
| Romany | 89 920 | 1.67 | 105 738 | 1.96 |
| Czech, Moravian, Silesian | 44 620 | 0.83 | 33 653 | 0.62 |
| Ruthenian | 24 201 | 0.45 | 33 482 | 0.62 |
| Ukrainian | 10 814 | 0.20 | 7 430 | 0.14 |
| German | 5 405 | 0.10 | 4 690 | 0.09 |
| Polish | 2 602 | 0.05 | 3 084 | 0.06 |
| Others | 12 009 | 0.22 | 15 224 | 0.28 |
| Not given | 54 502 | 1.01 | 382 493 | 7.09 |
| Total | 5 379 455 | 100.00 | 5 397 036 | 100.00 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Population and Housing Census 2001: Basic Data (Sčítanie obyvateľov domov a bytov 2001: Základné údaje) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2013. Population and Housing Census 2011: Basic Data: Population by nationality (Základné údaje zo sčítania obyvateľov, domov a bytov 2011: Obyvateľstvo podľa národnosti). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
In agreement with the above nationality composition of population the most frequent minority language in the Slovak Republic is Hungarian (especially in southern Slovakia). Next to follow are the Ruthenian and Ukrainian languages (especially in eastern Slovakia). The use of the Czech language in official communication fulfils the requirement of understanding with the official language, insofar the international agreements binding for the Slovak Republic , do not specify otherwise.
Education in the Slovak Republic currently takes place
- in the Hungarian language in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and higher education institutions,
- in the Ukrainian language in kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools,
- in the Bulgarian language in primary schools and secondary schools,
- in the Ruthenian language in kindergartens and primary schools
- in the German language in kindergartens.
In addition, at some primary schools the instruction of a national minority language and literature as a subject has been introduced (Hungarian language and literature, Ukrainian language and literature, Ruthenian language and literature, German language and literature and Romany language and literature).
Religions
The Slovak Republic is religiously neutral, that is, there is no official religion existing in it. Freedom of religious denomination is ensured under law.
The degree of the population religiosity is high. At the population census of 2011, 75.97 % of people ranked among the believers, 13.44 % were declared as persons with no religion and 10.59 % did not show any religion. Majority of believers are of Roman-Catholic denomination.
Religiosity
| Population according to population and housing census | ||||
| as at 26 May 2001 | as at 21 May 2011 | |||
| in person | in % | in person | in % | |
| with religious denomination | 4 521 549 | 84.05 | 4 100 237 | 75.97 |
| no religion | 697 308 | 12.96 | 725 362 | 13.44 |
| unidentified religion | 160 598 | 2.99 | 571 437 | 10.59 |
| Total | 5 379 455 | 100.00 | 5 397 036 | 100.00 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Population and Housing Census 2001: Basic Data (Sčítanie obyvateľov domov a bytov 2001: Základné údaje) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2013. Population and Housing Census 2011: Basic Data: Population by religiosity (Základné údaje zo sčítania obyvateľov, domov a bytov 2011: Obyvateľstvo podľa náboženského vyznania). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
Population with religious denomination according to church
| Church | Population according to population and housing census | |||
| as at 26 May 2001 | as at 26 May 2011 | |||
| in person | in % | in person | in % | |
| Roman-Catholic | 3 708 120 | 81.11 | 3 347 277 | 81.64 |
| Evangelic | 372 858 | 8.16 | 316 250 | 7.71 |
| Greek-Catholic | 219 831 | 4.81 | 206 871 | 5.05 |
| Calvin | 109 735 | 2.40 | 98 797 | 2.41 |
| Orthodox | 50 363 | 1.10 | 49 133 | 1.20 |
| Others | 111 005 | 2.43 | 81 909 | 2.00 |
| Total | 4 571 912 | 100.00 | 4 100 237 | 100.00 |
Sources: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 2001. Population and Housing Census 2001: Basic Data (Sčítanie obyvateľov domov a bytov 2001: Základné údaje) (last accessed 10/09/2019).
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky), 2013. Population and Housing Census 2011: Basic Data: Population by religiosity (Základné údaje zo sčítania obyvateľov, domov a bytov 2011: Obyvateľstvo podľa náboženského vyznania). Bratislava: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (last accessed 30/04/2021).
At present, there are 18 churches and religious communities registered in the Slovak Republic.
After the regime change in 1989 the relations between the State and churches have changed. In independent Slovak Republic the restitutions of church property took place. Churches received back the properties that had been confiscated to them after 1948.
Also, the separation of Church from the State was required, however, it has not yet been realised. The churches are still supported through the State budget, where they have their own expense item. Simultaneously, the churches have an income from their own property revenues (both movable and immovable), and from funds offered to the church by their believers, as well as gifts, eventually, voluntary contributions; the believers also help to the church without any claim of rewards (e.g., at building sites of new or reconstruction of old church premises).
The individual churches have some space reserved in public media for presentation of their activities and opinions on topical social and ethic-moral problems.