Currency: euro (since 1 January 2007)
GDP per capita in 2007: EUR 16,615
Growth in GDP in 2007: 6.1%
Inflation in 2007: 3.6%
Exports of goods and services in 2007: EUR 23.8 billion
Imports of goods and services in 2006: EUR 24.4 billion
Unemployment in 2007: 4.9% (surveyed unemployment level according to ILO standards)
On 1 May 2004, Slovenia became a member of the European Union.
On 1 January 2007 Slovenia changed over to the common currency of European Union euro
Slovenia is among the most successful of the countries in transition from socialism to a market economy. It boasts a stable growth in GDP and is viewed as a safe country, ranked among the countries with the lowest degree of risk. Since its independence, Slovenia has privatised its economy, stabilised inflation and wage growth, halted rising unemployment, strengthened its currency, changed over to the common currency of European Union euro, relaxed the flow of capital and modernised its taxation system.
Throughout its history Slovenia has always been a part of larger countries or even great empires. The country saw many changes in its economic system – from the mainly agricultural and artisanal period of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the slightly more industrialised Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the socialist state-centered industrialisation of the former SFR Yugoslavia, to today’s independent Slovenia, directed towards development and a market economy.
At the time of its independence in 1991, Slovenia was the wealthiest and most open Yugoslav Republic. Although Slovenes represented only 8% of the Yugoslav population, Slovenia exported almost one-third of all goods exported from Yugoslavia.
After gaining independence, Slovenia managed to overcome the loss of the markets in the former Yugoslavia in a short period of time, as its trade flows were redirected towards the EU and the associated partners.
In the economic sphere, Slovenia's level of development is quickly catching up with that of the EU. Its major trade partners are Germany, Italy, Croatia, Austria and France.
On-line periodicals covering business, economy, finance, politics
Economic Mirror /IMAD
Provides standardized macroeconomic analyses, estimates and forecasts.
Slovenia Business Week
An electronic business weekly with current news on a variety of topics concerning Slovenian economy and business.
Slovenia News
A weekly newsletter covering politics, environment, culture, business, science, sports, etc.
Sinfo
Promotional monthly magazine bringing news from Slovenia on politics, environment, culture, business and sports.
Some examples of SQ (Slovenian Quality), lately recognised in the world as special achievements:
Ultra light aircraft made by the company Pipistrel are an example of one such product that has gained worldwide acclaim - so much so that the Pipistrel trademark is better known in other countries than in Slovenia.
Alpina
In 2008 Alpina received the prestigious international Red dot design award for the Nordic racing boots ECS and ECL that are a result of the combined efforts of the industrial designer Jure Miklavc, the head of the development of Nordic ski boots Robert Križnar and the design studio Kabinet 01.
Akrapovič Exhaust System Technology
This small company in Ivančna Gorica is today the No. 1 maker of high-end exhaust systems in the world, equipping racing bikes for the leading Japanese makers, as well as Europe's Aprillia, KTM and Ducati.
Seaway is the world's leading boat development company, based on the J&J design studio created in 1983 by Jernej and Japec Jakopin.
ElanOne of the most profitable manufacturers of winter-sports equipment, snowboards and yachts in the world.