Slovakia  

Unemployment in Slovakia, at 11%, is significantly high, ranking the country 82nd, globally, although access to physical capital is above the global average. Household expenditure is also relatively low, equivalent to 23% of GDP. Foreign direct investment in Slovakia is low; however, the country ranks just above the global average at 49th. A domestic savings rate equivalent to 27% of GDP ranks the country 38th, and an inflation rate of 3% places Slovakia in the top 30 countries according to this measure. The low level of defaulted loans at 2.5%, and the net interest margin at 2.9 percentage points, suggest a competitive credit sector, with both variables ranking the country just outside the top third, globally. Slovakia has the 10th lowest global concentration of raw materials in exports, suggesting very little reliance on revenues from natural resources, and the economy benefits from strong terms of trade, ranking the country sixth, internationally, on this variable.

With a moderate nine procedures required, 14,000 new businesses registered in Slovakia in 2007, ranking the country 43rd on this variable, internationally. The country’s economy is well established, with a significant service sector contributing 60% of GDP. Revenues from royalty receipts are also relatively high, displaying good levels of commercialisation, ranking Slovakia 31st, globally, with respect to this measure. Internet bandwidth is high and the prevalence of personal computers, at 43 per 100 people, ranks the country in the top 20. The availability of secure servers is lower, yet still is above the global average, placing Slovakia 39th according to this variable. The percentage of exports from the ICT sector, despite ranking the country 19th worldwide, at just 13.2%, is significantly lower than the nations in the top 18. Additionally, high-tech exports account for only 6% of manufactured exports, ranking Slovakia 54th in this variable. R&D expenditure is also low, equivalent to 0.7% of GDP.

Slovakia ranks highly on democratic variables, with full political and civil rights for its citizens. The presence of extensive checks and balances in the political system is significant, and executive elections are well regulated. There is also a high degree of open political competition amongst multiple parties, with both the executive and legislature obtaining less than 75% of the vote. Slovakia also benefits from an independent judiciary. In terms of durability, the last change to the Slovak political system occurred less than 20 years ago.

By international standards, enrolment rates in primary school are moderate at 92% of the eligible population. Secondary school enrolment is also high, ranking Slovakia 36th, globally, but tertiary enrolment drops to 46%, placing the country 46th, internationally, with regards to this variable. Class sizes at the primary level are above the global average, with 17 pupils per teacher, and there is an equal balance of boys and girls enrolled throughout the educational system. Slovakia also maintains a relatively high educational expenditure of $4,000 per student, ranking the country 35th with regards to this measure. The workforce in Slovakia has the second highest average years of secondary education at 6.3 and the country ranks 46th with respect to average levels of tertiary education at 4.1.

Healthcare in Slovakia is above the global average, with a high ratio of medical staff and hospital beds per capita, ranking the country 22nd and 15th, respectively, according to these variables. The country also maintains universal access to improved sanitation facilities and a large percentage of the population is satisfied with the quality of the water. Health-adjusted life expectancy is relatively high at 66 years, ranking Slovakia 33rd according to this measure. Infant mortality, at seven deaths per 1,000 births, is low, although undernourishment, at 7% of the population, ranks above the global average. A high proportion of the Slovak citizens are satisfied with water quality while a quarter of the population reports protracted pain; the latter ranks Slovakia 79th worldwide.* Although 73% of the population claim themselves to be in good health, this ranks globally at 86th.* A low 59% of Slovaks describe themselves as well rested, giving the country a ranking of 91st.*

Slovakia experiences minor security challenges relating to the movement of refugees and displaced people and some concerns stemming from conflicts between communities. There is very little evidence suggesting state use of violence against its own citizens; however, human flight is a significant problem, placing the country 48th for this measure. There were no casualties for civil or ethnic conflict in 2008 and the homicide level was relatively low, ranking Slovakia 31st on this variable. A moderate 15% of the population reported being the victims of theft, which ranks the country below the global average at 58th.* The extremely low level of reported assaults, just 2% of the population, gives Slovakia a ranking of seventh for this measure.* Despite this, only half of the population felt safe walking alone at night.*

Assessments of the respect for law and the quality of law enforcement rank Slovakia 40th, internationally. Efficiency in regulation and the effective implementation of policy are also highly rated, placing Slovakia 31st on this measure. The quality and extent of regulation of investment and competition compares particularly well, gaining a ranking of 27th, and the opportunity for free and fair participation in politics and bureaucracy is similarly high. However, Slovaks have very little confidence in the honesty of government. While 70% have confidence in the military, an extremely high 94% and 96% believe local businesses and government to be corrupt.* A stronger 52% believe that elections are fair and honest, ranking the country around the global average, but only one-third of the population have confidence in the judicial system and the courts, placing the Slovaks at a low 84th on this variable.*

Slovaks have moderately high levels of freedom to practise their religious beliefs, speak freely without fear of government censorship, and travel freely within and out of their own country. The population is generally tolerant of ethnic minorities, with 64% of citizens believing their country to be a good place for such groups.* However, only 54% feel the same way toward immigrants. Significantly, satisfaction with freedom of choice is low at 54%, ranking the country just 98th, internationally.*

In Slovakia, only 27% of the population believe they can trust others, and the importance placed on friendship is moderate, with ranking the country just above the global average. However, 95% of the population believe they can rely upon family and friends, ranking Slovakia eighth for this measure.* Less than half of the population attach importance to religion in their daily lives, but an above average 29% attend religious services, suggesting some access to religious support networks. Membership of social groups compares well as approximately one in five citizens belong to a sports club, while involvement in arts and environmental groups is lower at 6% and 5%, respectively. Only 29% of the population report having donated money, and just 13% volunteer.* Additionally, just three in ten citizens admit to having helped a stranger, ranking Slovakia 94th, globally, according to this measure.

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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