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Europe :: Slovakia

- ## Introduction :: SLOVAKIA

- 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 under Austrian rule. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939 Slovakia became an independent state allied with Nazi Germany. Following World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and came under communist rule within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro zone on 1 January 2009.

- ## Geography :: SLOVAKIA

- Location:
  Central Europe, south of Poland
  Geographic coordinates:
  48 40 N, 19 30 E
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 49,035 sq km
  land: 48,105 sq km
  water: 930 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Area - comparative:
  about twice the size of New Hampshire
  Land boundaries:
  total: 1,611 km
  border countries (5): Austria 105 km, Czech Republic 241 km, Hungary 627 km, Poland 541 km, Ukraine 97 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:
  lignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 40.1%
  arable land 28.9%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 10.8%
  forest: 40.2%
  other: 19.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  1,720 sq km (2007)
  Total renewable water resources:
  50.1 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.69 cu km/yr (47%/51%/3%)
  per capita: 126.7 cu m/yr (2010)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
  Environment - international 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
  Geography - note:
  landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys

- ## People and Society :: SLOVAKIA

- Nationality:
  noun: Slovak(s)
  adjective: Slovak
  Ethnic groups:
  Slovak 80.7%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 2%, other and unspecified 8.8% (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  Slovak (official) 78.6%, Hungarian 9.4%, Roma 2.3%, Ruthenian 1%, other or unspecified 8.8% (2011 est.)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 8.2%, Greek Catholic 3.8%, other or unspecified 12.5%, none 13.4% (2011 est.)
  Population:
  5,445,027 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 15.14% (male 422,297/female 402,154)
  15-24 years: 11.78% (male 330,116/female 311,144)
  25-54 years: 45.17% (male 1,241,594/female 1,217,885)
  55-64 years: 13.56% (male 349,304/female 388,904)
  65 years and over: 14.35% (male 299,097/female 482,532) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 40.8%
  youth dependency ratio: 21.3%
  elderly dependency ratio: 19.5%
  potential support ratio: 5.1% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 39.6 years
  male: 37.9 years
  female: 41.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.02% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Birth rate:
  9.91 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Death rate:
  9.74 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Net migration rate:
  0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 53.6% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -0.31% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  BRATISLAVA (capital) 401,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 76.88 years
  male: 73.3 years
  female: 80.71 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Total fertility rate:
  1.39 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Health expenditures:
  8.2% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Physicians density:
  3.32 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 99.4% of population
  rural: 98.2% of population
  total: 98.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.6% of population
  rural: 1.8% of population
  total: 1.2% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.02% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  less than 100 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  27.4% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Education expenditures:
  4.1% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 15 years
  male: 14 years
  female: 16 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 34%
  male: 35%
  female: 32.5% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21

- ## Government :: SLOVAKIA

- 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:
  several previous (preindependence); latest passed by National Council 1 September 1992, signed 3 September 1992, effective 1 October 1992; amended several times, last in 2009; note - amendments relating to same sex marriages were passed by the National Council in 2014 but failed to meet the required percentage of voters in a February 2015 referendum (2015)
  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
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Andrej KISKA (since 15 June 2014)
  head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 April 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Robert KALINAK, Peter KAZIMIR, Miroslav LAJCAK (since 4 April 2012), Lubomir VAZNY (since 26 November 2012)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held in 2 rounds on 15 and 29 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2019); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president
  election results: Andrej KISKA elected president; percent of vote in second round - Andrej KISKA (independent) 59.4%, Robert FICO (Smer-SD) 40.6%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Council or Narodna Rada (150 seats; members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 10 March 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
  election results: percent of vote by party - Smer-SD 44.4%, KDH 8.8%, OLaNO 8.6%, Most-Hid 6.9%, SDKU-DS 6.1%, SaS 5.9%, other 19.3%; seats by party - Smer-SD 83, KDH 16, OLaNO 16, Most-Hid 13, SDKU-DS 11, SaS 11
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of 84 judges - as of 2015 - organized into criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative divisions with 3- and 5-judge panels; Constitutional Court (consists of 13 judges)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judge candidates proposed by the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, a 17-member independent body to include the Supreme Court chief justice and presidential and governmental appointees; judges appointed by the president for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Council of the Republic and appointed by the president; judges appointed for 12-year terms
  subordinate courts: regional and district civil courts; Higher Military Court; military district courts; Court of Audit
  Political parties and leaders:
  parties in the Parliament:
  Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Jan FIGEL]
  Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]
  Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK]
  Most-Hid or Bridge [Bela BUGAR]
  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities or OLaNO [Igor MATOVIC]
  Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Pavol FRESO]
  selected parties outside the Parliament:
  Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Ondrej DOSTAL]
  Nation and Justice - Our Party or NAS [Anna BELOUSOVOVA]
  Network or Siet [Radoslav PROCHAZKA]
  New Majority or NOVA [Daniel LIPSIC]
  Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Jozsef BERENYI]
  People's Party - Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA]
  Slovak National Party or SNS [Andrej DANKO]
  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 or AZZZ
  Medical Trade Association or LOZ
  National Union of Employers or RUZ
  Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK
  The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
  International organization participation:
  Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Peter KMEC (since 17 September 2012)
  chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054
  FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438
  consulate(s) general: New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK (since 4 July 2010)
  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
  Flag description:
  three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red derive from the Pan-Slav colors; the Slovakian coat of arms (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white double-barred cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius surmounting three blue hills) is centered over the bands but offset slightly to the hoist side
  note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
  National symbol(s):
  double-barred cross (Cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius) surmounting three peaks; national colors: white, blue, red
  National anthem:
  name: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras)
  lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional
  note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku"

- ## Economy :: SLOVAKIA

- Economy - overview:
  Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. With a population of 5.4 million, the Slovak Republic has a small, open economy, with exports, at about 92% of GDP, serving as the main driver of GDP growth. Slovakia joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2009. The country’s banking sector is sound. Slovakia has led the region garnering FDI, because of its relatively low-cost, highly-skilled labor force, reasonable tax rates, and favorable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe. However, recent increases in corporate taxes, as well as changes to the Labor Code, slow dispute resolution, and ongoing corruption potentially threaten the attractiveness of the Slovak market. Moreover, the energy sector is characterized by high costs, unpredictable regulatory oversight, and growing government interference.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $152.6 billion (2014 est.)
  $149 billion (2013 est.)
  $146.9 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 72
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $99.97 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.4% (2014 est.)
  1.4% (2013 est.)
  1.6% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $28,200 (2014 est.)
  $27,500 (2013 est.)
  $27,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Gross national saving:
  21.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  22.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
  22% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 56.7%
  government consumption: 18.5%
  investment in fixed capital: 21.1%
  investment in inventories: -0.4%
  exports of goods and services: 91.9%
  imports of goods and services: -87.8%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3.4%
  industry: 22.5%
  services: 74.1% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
  Industries:
  automobiles; metal and metal products; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals, synthetic fibers, wood and paper products; machinery; earthenware and ceramics; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products; food and beverages; pharmaceutical
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Labor force:
  2.363 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 3.5%
  industry: 25.9%
  services: 70.6% (2014)
  Unemployment rate:
  13.2% (2014 est.)
  14.2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Population below poverty line:
  20.5% (2012 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 4.4%
  highest 10%: 26% (2013 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  25.3 (2012)
  25.7 (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Budget:
  revenues: $36.45 billion
  expenditures: $39.36 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  36.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -2.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Public debt:
  54.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  54.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
  note: data cover general Government Gross Debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds.
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.1% (2014 est.)
  1.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Central bank discount rate:
  0.3% (10 September 2014)
  0.75% (13 November 2013)
  note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1 January 2009
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  3.2% (31 December 2014 est.)
  3.34% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Stock of narrow money:
  $45.57 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $42.37 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
  country comparison to the world: 56
  Stock of broad money:
  $64.13 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $62.69 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $53.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $72.07 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $5.172 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $4.04 billion (31 December 2013)
  $4.611 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Current account balance:
  $58.62 million (2014 est.)
  $1.402 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Exports:
  $85.94 billion (2014 est.)
  $85.22 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Exports - commodities:
  vehicles and related parts 25%, machinery and electrical equipment 21%, nuclear reactors and furnaces 12%, iron and steel 5%, mineral oils and fuels 5% (2014 est.)
  Exports - partners:
  Germany 23.3%, Czech Republic 13.6%, Poland 8.8%, Hungary 6.6%, Austria 6.5%, UK 5.4%, France 5.2%, Italy 4.8% (2014)
  Imports:
  $79.78 billion (2014 est.)
  $79.78 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and electrical equipment 19%, vehicles and related parts 13%, nuclear reactors and furnaces 12%, fuel and mineral oils 11% (2014 est.)
  Imports - partners:
  Germany 19%, Czech Republic 16.9%, Austria 9.3%, Russia 7.9%, Poland 6.2%, Hungary 6.2%, South Korea 4.2%, China 4% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $2.878 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.176 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Debt - external:
  $106.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $114 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $69.76 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $67.46 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $13.09 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $12.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Exchange rates:
  euros (EUR) per US dollar -
  0.7489 (2014 est.)
  0.7634 (2013 est.)
  0.78 (2012 est.)
  0.7185 (2011 est.)
  0.755 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: SLOVAKIA

- Electricity - production:
  28.59 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Electricity - consumption:
  28.68 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Electricity - exports:
  11.86 billion kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Electricity - imports:
  12.93 billion kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  8.074 million kW (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  43.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  24.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  22% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  9.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Crude oil - production:
  5,200 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Crude oil - exports:
  201.4 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Crude oil - imports:
  106,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  9 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  9,522 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  136,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  175,200 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  303,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Natural gas - production:
  95 million cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Natural gas - consumption:
  5.1 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Natural gas - exports:
  15 million cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Natural gas - imports:
  5.579 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  29.27 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77

- ## Communications :: SLOVAKIA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 920,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 6.4 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth of 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 (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  state-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), operates 3 national TV stations and multiple national and regional radio networks; roughly 35 privately owned TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 40% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; more than 20 privately owned radio stations (2008)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 22, shortwave 1 (2008)
  Television broadcast stations:
  37 (2008)
  Internet country code:
  .sk
  Internet users:
  total: 4.5 million
  percent of population: 82.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72

- ## Transportation :: SLOVAKIA

- Airports:
  35 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 21
  over 3,047 m: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 3
  under 914 m: 11 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 14
  914 to 1,523 m: 9
  under 914 m:
  5 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 6,774 km; oil 419 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 3,624 km
  broad gauge: 99 km 1.520-m gauge
  standard gauge: 3,475 km 1.435-m gauge (1,616 km electrified)
  narrow gauge: 50 km 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Roadways:
  total: 54,869 km (includes local roads, national roads, and 420 km of highways) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Waterways:
  172 km (on Danube River) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Merchant marine:
  total: 11
  by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 2
  foreign-owned: 11 (Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Montenegro 1, Slovenia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Ports and terminals:
  river port(s): Bratislava, Komarno (Danube)

- ## Military :: SLOVAKIA

- 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; conscription in peacetime suspended in 2006; women are eligible to serve (2012)
  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.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 31,646
  female: 30,219 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.02% of GDP (2014)
  1% of GDP (2013)
  1.12% of GDP (2012)
  1.1% of GDP (2011)
  1.12% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 89

- ## Transnational Issues :: SLOVAKIA

- Disputes - international:
  bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 1,523 (2014)
  Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy

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