At the end of 2017 the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the the core development framework titled Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 (hereafter in this section: Strategy). The introductory part summarises the context of this strategy, including the following:
Slovenia had achieved a high rate of economic growth prior to the economic crisis in 2008. However, structural weaknesses had indicated that its development model was not sustainable. During the crisis the GDP fell sharply, which significantly affected economic stability and had a negative impact on the wellbeing of the population (Strategy, p. 10).
In 2019 GDP per capita reached 89% of the EU-27 average, which was the highest value of this indicator in 10 years. Previously, GDP per capita had dropped to 83%, and it stayed at that level from 2012 until 2015 when it started increasing. (Eurostat)
Along with economic conditions, the financial situation of the population also started improving in 2014. However, the actual individual consumption per inhabitant, which is an indicator of the standard of living, has continued to lag behind the EU average. In 2019 it stood at 83% of the EU-27 average, which was 2% higher than the year before. (Eurostat)
On an international scale, income inequality, which is offset by payroll taxes to a greater extent in Slovenia in comparison with other countries, remained low. Gender inequality is similarly low. On the other hand, the segmentation of the labour market increased significantly after the onset of the economic crisis, which most often hurts young people. (Strategy, p. 12)
The primary objective of the Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 is to provide a high quality of life for all. To that end, Slovenia set out to pursue the following strategic orientations (Strategy, p. 18):
- an inclusive, healthy, safe and responsible society,
- learning for and through life,
- a highly productive economy that creates added value for all,
- well-preserved natural environment,
- high level of cooperation, competence and governance efficiency.
Main indicators
| 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2019 | 2020 | |
| GDP (annual volume change, %) | 3.7 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 3.2 | -5.5 |
| GDP per capita (EUR) | 11,076 | 14,551 | 17,749 | 18,830 | 23,165 | 22,014 |
| Unemployment rate (%) | n.a. | n.a. | 7.8 | 8.4 | 4.0 | 5.1 |
Source: Statistical office of the RS (BDP, unemployment).
Total public expenditure for formal education as a percentage of GDP by level of education, SURS
| Year | Total | Pre-school education | Basic education | Upper secondary education | Tertiary education |
| 2006 | 5.72 | 0.51 | 2.55 | 1.42 | 1.23 |
| 2010 | 5.79 | 0.72 | 2.65 | 1.17 | 1.24 |
| 2015 | 5.44 | 1.13 | 2.36 | 0.92 | 1.04 |
| 2020 | 5.75 | 1.12 | 2.46 | 0.92 | 1.25 |