Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Slovakia Slovak Republic
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	36th best
Capital	Bratislava
Land Area	48 088km21
Location	Europe
Population	5.5m2
Life Expectancy	74.91yrs (2017)3
GNI	$30 690 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	SK, SVK, 7035
Internet Domain	.sk6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+4218

1. Overview
2. Slovakia National and Social Development
3. Slovakia's Demographics and Migration
4. Slovakia's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Slovakia's Health
6. Slovakia's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Slovakia's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

#eu #human_rights #slovakia

“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.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“A land of real spirit, where folk traditions have survived the domination of foreign rulers and where a plethora of castles and chateaux pay testament to untold wars and civil conflicts. Going strong after two decades as an independent state following the breakup of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia out-trumps the Czechs for ancient castles, and boasts nature far wilder than its western neighbours. It savours wine over beer and, in its bashful heartland amid mountains and forests, cradles an entrancing folk culture most European nations have lost.

Slovakia´s small size is possibly its biggest attraction. You can hike woodsy waterfall-filled gorges one day and yodel from peaks soaring more than 2500m the next. Dinky capital Bratislava is awash with quirky museums and backed by thick forests. With its rabbit-warren Old Town, it might just win the world prize for most cafes per city resident.

Don´t leave without heading east, where fortresses tower over tradition-rich medieval towns such as Levoca or Bardejov and hiking trails lace the hills.

Strike up a conversation at a bar and you´ll find an intelligent, engaging and friendly person at the other end. Down a slivovica (firewaterlike plum brandy) and drink a toast for us - nazdravie!”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

The EU has acted on behalf of its member states on many occasions to support, foster, fund and encourage human rights protections in every region of the world, with agreement of its member states through the European Parliament. The protections of workers' rights and their harmonisations (which stops companies moving staff to countries with the weakest laws) has had great effect in stopping workforce abuse₁₁. According to Human Rights Watch's comprehensive review for the year 2017, in addition to vocal and public pronouncements on poor human rights records of many countries, the EU has also acted through economic sanctions, political pressure and used other means to incentivize the adoption of human rights protections, even if these measures harm EU trading₁₂. It is to Slovakia's credit that it supports the EU in these actions.

2. Slovakia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)13
Pos.		Higher is better Value13
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
42=	Chile	0.855
42=	Qatar	0.855
44	San Marino	0.853
45	Slovakia	0.848
46	Hungary	0.846
47	Argentina	0.842
48	Turkey	0.838
49	Montenegro	0.832
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)13
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $13
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
43	Latvia	$32 803
44	Hungary	$32 789
45	Turkey	$31 033
46	Slovakia	$30 690
47	Bahamas	$30 486
48	Croatia	$30 132
49	Romania	$30 027
50	Greece	$29 002
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index14
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank14
1	Denmark	24.9
2	Norway	25.3
3	Sweden	27.7
	...
33	Hungary	53.9
34	Cyprus	55.1
35	Costa Rica	55.8
36	Slovakia	56.2
37	Greece	57.2
38	Singapore	57.2
39	Lithuania	58.0
40	Latvia	58.7
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	89.9
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Slovakia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Slovakia's population is predicted to rise to 5.547 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.57. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₅

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
113	Singapore	5.8m
114	Denmark	5.8m
115	Finland	5.5m
116	Slovakia	5.5m
117	Norway	5.3m
118	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.2m
119	Costa Rica	5.0m
120	Palestine	4.9m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better13
Pos.		2021 Years13
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
59	Bosnia & Herzegovina	75.3
60	Lebanon	75.0
61	Grenada	74.9
62	Slovakia	74.9
63	Malaysia	74.9
64	Brunei	74.6
65	Hungary	74.5
66	Jordan	74.3
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
71	Armenia	1.58
72	St Martin	2.39
73	Isle of Man	1.57
74=	Slovakia	1.57
74=	UK	1.57
76	Paraguay	2.44
77	Laos	2.45
78=	Denmark	1.55
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
143	Belarus	30.3
144	Ukraine	30.8
145	Australia	31.3
146	Slovakia	31.6
147	Albania	31.8
148	Norway	32.2
149	Iceland	32.5
150	Serbia	32.7
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
99	Uzbekistan	3.6%
100	Rwanda	3.6%
101	Moldova	3.5%
102	Slovakia	3.4%
103	Turkmenistan	3.4%
104	Iran	3.3%
105	Kyrgyzstan	3.3%
106	Chad	3.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
70	Haiti	9.9%
71	San Marino	9.9%
72	Burkina Faso	9.7%
73	Slovakia	9.6%
74	Morocco	9.3%
75	Sri Lanka	9.1%
76	Somalia	8.7%
77	Kuwait	8.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Slovakia's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #slovakia #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
23	Lithuania	44.7
24	Poland	48.0
25	Latvia	49.4
26	Slovakia	51.1
27	Greece	52.4
28	San Marino	53.1
29	Croatia	54.9
30	Liechtenstein	54.9
31	Hungary	58.5
	Europe Avg	47.4
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
34	S. Korea	48.5
35	Latvia	49.4
36	Puerto Rico	50.8
37	Slovakia	51.1
38	Barbados	51.7
39	Greece	52.4
40	San Marino	53.1
41	Argentina	53.3
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₂₁. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₂₁.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₂₁, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₂₁.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better22
Pos.		202522
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
35	Moldova	73.36
36	Costa Rica	73.09
37	Montenegro	72.83
38	Slovakia	71.93
39	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.79
40	Fiji	71.20
41	Gabon	70.65
42	Macedonia	70.44
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Slavery Lower is better23
Pos.		2018 % Victims23
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
56	Barbados	0.27
57	China	0.28
58=	S. Africa	0.28
59	Slovakia	0.29
60=	Czechia	0.29
60=	Guatemala	0.29
60=	Nicaragua	0.29
60=	Senegal	0.29
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better24
Pos.		2014 Rank24
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
24	Latvia	24
25	Iceland	25
26	Taiwan	26
27	Slovakia	27
28	Italy	28
29	Chile	29
30	Romania	30
31	France	31
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
1=	Slovakia	1.0
1=	Chile	1.0
1=	San Marino	1.0
1=	Costa Rica	1.0
1=	St Vincent & Grenadines	1.0
1=	St Lucia	1.0
1=	Cyprus	1.0
1=	Denmark	1.0
1=	Dominica	1.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better25
Pos.		2017 Score25
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
21	Italy	5
22=	Slovenia	5
22=	Austria	5
22=	Slovakia	5
22=	Latvia	5
22=	Lithuania	5
27	USA	4
28=	Croatia	4
	Europe Avg	3.5
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better26
Pos.		2009 Treaties26
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
34	Namibia	20
35=	Ukraine	20
35=	Macedonia	20
35=	Slovakia	20
35=	Honduras	20
35=	S. Africa	20
35=	Liechtenstein	20
35=	Iceland	20
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better27
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty27
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
114	Dominica	11.14
115	Benin	11.15
116	Chad	11.23
117	Slovakia	11.24
118	Burundi	11.27
119	Qatar	11.34
120	Vatican City	11.34
121	Latvia	11.39
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 report on Slovakia was quite short: "Discrimination against Roma persisted. Parliamentarians attempted to adopt amendments that would restrict access to abortion. Human rights violations were committed against Ukrainians. Access to healthcare for transgender people was limited"₂₈.

Gender Equality:

Slovakia is on the way towards ending gender inequality and has been striving towards this end for quite some time.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better29
Pos.		202229
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
40	Malta	0.15
41	Moldova	0.17
42	Kazakhstan	0.18
43	Slovakia	0.18
44	Russia	0.18
45	USA	0.18
46	China	0.19
47	Ukraine	0.19
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

From the 2000s to the 2010s, Slovakia was one of only 12 countries where Gender Inequality got worse (although only slightly).

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
9=	Estonia	1918
9=	Kyrgyzstan	1918
11	Austria	1919
12=	Slovakia	1919
12=	Belarus	1919
12=	Germany	1919
12=	Netherlands	1919
12=	Ukraine	1919
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality Higher is better30
Pos.		2017 Score30
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
43=	Italy	40
44	Greece	39
45=	Czechia	39
45=	Slovakia	39
45=	Romania	39
48	San Marino	35
49=	Montenegro	35
49=	Guatemala	35
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better31
Pos.		202131
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
65	Canada	2.8
66=	Kyrgyzstan	2.8
66=	Dominica	2.8
66=	Slovakia	2.8
66=	Estonia	2.8
66=	Lithuania	2.8
66=	Peru	2.8
66=	Ireland	2.8
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Slovakia's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #slovakia #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)32
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank32
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
35	Poland	70.8
36	Albania	71.4
37	Hungary	71.6
38	Slovakia	72.6
39	Serbia	72.7
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	75.0
41=	Armenia	75.5
41=	Lithuania	75.5
43	Georgia	75.9
	Europe Avg	86.9
q=52.

Health (2025)32
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank32
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
65	Barbados	71.0
66	Albania	71.4
67	Hungary	71.6
68	Slovakia	72.6
69	Serbia	72.7
70	Turks & Caicos Islands	74.3
71	Thailand	74.5
72	Bosnia & Herzegovina	75.0
	World Avg	96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₃. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₃.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₃, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₃.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Slovakia has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Slovakia does better than average for its immunizations take-up₃₄, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, its average life expectancy₁₃ (but low for Europe), its fertility rate₁₆ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₆ (but high for Europe). But, there's bad news too. Slovakia does worse than average when it comes to its suicide rate₃₇, its smoking rate₃₈ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₉. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Slovakia improved by +6.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Slovakia's peak fertility rate was 3.04 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better13
Pos.		2021 Years13
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
59	Bosnia & Herzegovina	75.3
60	Lebanon	75.0
61	Grenada	74.9
62	Slovakia	74.9
63	Malaysia	74.9
64	Brunei	74.6
65	Hungary	74.5
66	Jordan	74.3
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better39
Pos.		2016 Per Capita39
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
166	Hungary	11.4
167=	UK	11.5
167=	Gabon	11.5
167=	Slovakia	11.5
167=	Switzerland	11.5
171	Austria	11.6
172=	Estonia	11.6
172=	Poland	11.6
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
71	Armenia	1.58
72	St Martin	2.39
73	Isle of Man	1.57
74=	Slovakia	1.57
74=	UK	1.57
76	Paraguay	2.44
77	Laos	2.45
78=	Denmark	1.55
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better38
Pos.		201438
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
152	Kuwait	1 517
153	Armenia	1 545
154	Turkey	1 581
155	Slovakia	1 618
156	Romania	1 620
157	Tunisia	1 628
158	Switzerland	1 634
159	Serbia	1 644
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate37
Pos.		2013 Per 100k37
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
63=	Romania	24.5
64	Bulgaria	25
65	Sweden	25.5
66	Slovakia	25.7
67	Czechia	28.3
68	Suriname	28.7
69	Hong Kong	29.7
70	Poland	30.5
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
49	Singapore	49
50	Ecuador	50
51	Israel	51
52	Slovakia	52
53	Bulgaria	53
54	Panama	54
55	Ukraine	55
56	S. Africa	56
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better40
Pos.		2016 %40
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
104	Ecuador	56.0
105=	Bolivia	56.1
105=	Slovenia	56.1
107	Slovakia	56.2
108	Sweden	56.4
109	Brazil	56.5
110	Germany	56.8
111=	Vanuatu	57.1
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better36
Pos.		2022 Per 100036
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
79	Bahamas	25.1
80	Morocco	25.5
81	Fiji	26.1
82	Slovakia	26.6
83	Moldova	27.2
84	Iran	29.7
85	Georgia	29.7
86	Thailand	31.6
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
33	Andorra	97.1
34	Russia	97.0
35	Guyana	97.0
36	Slovakia	97.0
37	Kyrgyzstan	96.7
38	Brazil	96.7
39=	Jordan	96.6
39=	Brunei	96.6
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Slovakia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #france #meat #over-exploitation #slovakia #sustainability #the_environment #ukraine #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Italy	57.4
2	Greece	61.5
3	Denmark	64.3
	...
10	UK	71.8
11=	Azerbaijan	71.9
12	Germany	73.3
13	Slovakia	73.4
14	Ireland	73.5
15	Georgia	73.6
16=	Turkey	73.8
16=	Hungary	73.8
18	Albania	75.1
	Europe Avg	80.6
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Uruguay	46.1
2	Cuba	52.0
3	Fiji	53.7
	...
34	Seychelles	72.7
35	Nepal	73.1
36	Germany	73.3
37	Slovakia	73.4
38	Ireland	73.5
39	Georgia	73.6
40=	Hungary	73.8
40=	Turkey	73.8
	World Avg	94.3
q=190.

Slovakia ranks 37th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Slovakia does better than average in its environmental performance₄₂, its score on the Green Future Index₄₃ (but one of the lowest in Europe), energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ (but low for Europe), its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. Slovakia does not succeed in everything, however. Slovakia does worse than average for the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇ (still low for Europe).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better45
Pos.		Total45
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
70	Australia	1.7%
71	Austria	1.6%
72	Czechia	1.5%
73	Slovakia	1.3%
74	Portugal	1.0%
75	Micronesia	0.9%
76	Iraq	0.9%
77	Russia	0.7%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better42
Pos.		201842
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
25	Canada	72.2
26	Portugal	71.9
27	USA	71.2
28	Slovakia	70.6
29	Lithuania	69.3
30=	Bulgaria	67.9
30=	Costa Rica	67.9
32	Qatar	67.8
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better44
Pos.		201444
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
56	Argentina	09.35
57	Pakistan	09.26
58	Montenegro	09.17
59=	Slovakia	09.09
59=	Jordan	09.09
61	Slovenia	08.85
62	Sweden	08.62
63=	Belgium	08.47
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
76	Romania	1994 Nov 15
77	Austria	1994 Nov 16
78	Indonesia	1994 Nov 21
79	Slovakia	1994 Nov 23
80	Costa Rica	1994 Nov 24
81=	Nigeria	1994 Nov 27
81=	Guyana	1994 Nov 27
81=	Ghana	1994 Nov 27
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better46
Pos.		2011 %46
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
90	Austria	31.8%
91	Azerbaijan	31.7%
92	Guinea	31.2%
93	Slovakia	31.1%
94	Guyana	30.1%
95	Egypt	30.1%
96	Macedonia	30.1%
97	Senegal	29.6%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better47
Pos.		2021 kg47
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
111	China	63.6
112	Uruguay	62.8
113	Jamaica	63.4
114	Slovakia	63.5
115	China	63.6
116	Netherlands	63.8
117	Malaysia	65.3
118	Belgium	66.2
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better43
Pos.		2023 Score43
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
32	Singapore	5.0
33	Hong Kong	4.9
34	Colombia	4.8
35	Slovakia	4.8
36	UAE	4.8
37	Morocco	4.7
38	Brazil	4.7
39=	Romania	4.7
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index noted that Slovakia's nuclear contribution to its energy sector was very high, helping it avoid harmful carbon emissions (only France and Ukraine had higher contributions).₄₈

7. Slovakia's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
23	Italy	34.0
24	Portugal	34.4
25	Greece	36.3
26	Slovakia	42.9
27	Malta	45.9
28	Ukraine	47.7
29	Bulgaria	47.8
30	Croatia	47.8
31	Liechtenstein	48.8
	Europe Avg	39.8
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
33	Portugal	34.4
34	Greece	36.3
35	Argentina	38.2
36	Slovakia	42.9
37	Grenada	43.4
38	Russia	44.3
39	Malta	45.9
40	Barbados	47.4
	World Avg	86.3
q=190.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2950
2	Israel	4.1150
3	Japan	3.5850
	...
34	Turkey	1.0150
35	Lithuania	0.9551
36	Poland	0.9450
37=	Slovakia	0.8950
37=	Malta	0.8951
39	Greece	0.8450
40	India	0.8252
41	Croatia	0.8151
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better53
Pos.		201853
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
1=	Canada	100.0%
1=	Finland	100.0%
1=	Iceland	100.0%
7	Uzbekistan	99.9%
8	Czechia	99.8%
9	Slovakia	99.3%
10	Latvia	99.2%
11	Kazakhstan	98.6%
12	Kyrgyzstan	98.4%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better54
Pos.		2021 Years54
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
70	Iran	14.6
71	Oman	14.6
72	Trinidad & Tobago	14.5
73	Slovakia	14.5
74	Dominican Rep.	14.5
75	Albania	14.4
76	Cuba	14.4
77	Colombia	14.4
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
39	Portugal	39
40	Spain	40
41	Italy	41
42	Slovakia	42
43	Marshall Islands	43
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
46	Belarus	46
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better55
Pos.		2015 Score55
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
39	Israel	1416
40	Argentina	140656
41	Malta	1391
42	Slovakia	1389
43	Greece	1376
44	Chile	1329
45	Bulgaria	1319
46=	Romania	1313
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better57
Pos.		2018 %57
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
27=	Ireland	22
27=	Kazakhstan	22
27=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better58
Pos.		200658
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
35=	Moldova	96
35=	Uruguay	96
35=	Slovenia	96
35=	Slovakia	96
39	Portugal	95
40=	Israel	95
41	Kazakhstan	94
42=	Vietnam	94
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better59
Pos.		201659
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
30	Bahamas	85%
31	Puerto Rico	83%
32=	Singapore	83%
32=	Slovakia	83%
34	Spain	82%
35	Austria	81%
36	Ireland	81%
37	Barbados	80%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better60
Pos.		2017 Ratio60
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
48	Bulgaria	1.3
49	S. Korea	1.2
50	Dominican Rep.	1.1
51	Slovakia	0.8
52	Hong Kong	0.7
53	Spain	0.6
54	St Kitts & Nevis	0.6
55	Nauru	0.5
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better61
Pos.		202461
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
32	New Zealand	61.1%
33	Croatia	61.1%
34	Malta	61.0%
35	Slovakia	60.7%
36	Hungary	60.2%
37	Australia	59.7%
38	Greece	58.9%
39	Qatar	58.6%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

On the Corruption Index, Slovakia scored on average 49 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 4 points.

World Giving Index Higher is better62
Pos.		2022 %62
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
53=	China	42.0
53=	Ecuador	42.0
55	Bulgaria	41.0
56=	Slovakia	41.0
56=	Germany	41.0
58	Nepal	40.0
59=	Malaysia	40.0
59=	Nicaragua	40.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better63
Pos.		2022 Points63
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
47	St Lucia	55.0
48	Costa Rica	54.0
49=	Fiji	53.0
49=	Slovakia	53.0
51	Grenada	52.0
52=	Cyprus	52.0
52=	Greece	52.0
54	Rwanda	51.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better64
Pos.		2024 Score64
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
47	Nicaragua	6.3
48	Malta	6.3
49	Thailand	6.2
50	Slovakia	6.2
51	Latvia	6.2
52	Oman	6.2
53	Uzbekistan	6.2
54	Paraguay	6.2
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
17	Latvia	17
18	Barbados	18
19	Hungary	19
20	Slovakia	20
21	Poland	21
22	Norway	22
23	Lithuania	23
24	St Lucia	24
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
139	Antigua & Barbuda	139
140	Afghanistan	140
141	Belize	141
142	Slovakia	142
143	Tanzania	143
144	St Vincent & Grenadines	144
145	Samoa	145
146	Jamaica	146
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better65
Pos.		2023 Score65
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
23	Mauritius	1.55
24	Norway	1.55
25	Estonia	1.56
26	Slovakia	1.58
27	Latvia	1.58
28	Sweden	1.63
29	Poland	1.63
30	Bulgaria	1.64
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
110	Panama	110
111	Equatorial Guinea	111
112	Botswana	112
113	Slovakia	113
114	Suriname	114
115	Greece	115
116	Trinidad & Tobago	116
117	Benin	117
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
49	Argentina	49
50	Brazil	50
51	Dominican Rep.	51
52	Slovakia	52
53	UAE	53
54	Macedonia	54
55	Zambia	55
56	Lithuania	56
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better66
Pos.		2019 Score66
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
19=	Panama	0.04
19=	Guyana	0.04
21	UAE	0.05
22	Slovakia	0.06
23	Norway	0.08
24	Lesotho	0.10
25	Liberia	0.11
26=	Moldova	0.12
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #finland #health #inequality #life_expectancy #slovakia #slovenia #social_development #ukraine

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better67
Pos.		201967
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
35	Canada	4.60
36=	Malta	4.60
37	Serbia	4.90
38	Slovakia	5.00
39	Cuba	5.10
40	UAE	5.20
41=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	5.40
41=	Latvia	5.40
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better68
Pos.		2023 %68
1	Slovakia	24.1%69
2	Slovenia	24.3%69
3	Belarus	24.4%70
4	Ukraine	25.6%70
5=	Moldova	25.7%69
5=	Netherlands	25.7%69
7	Iceland	26.1%71
8	Czechia	26.2%69
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%72
9=	UAE	26.4%73
11	Syria	26.6%72
12=	Azerbaijan	26.6%74
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Slovakia had the 2nd-lowest income inequality in the 1990s, almost as good as Finland, and was 3rd-least-unequal in the 2010s, beaten only by Slovenia and Ukraine.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)57
Pos.		Lower is better %57
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
27=	Ireland	22
27=	Kazakhstan	22
27=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
37=	Portugal	36
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)75
Pos.		Higher is better %75
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
25=	Ukraine	20
25=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
32=	Iceland	16
33	Spain	15
34=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
36=	Singapore	13
38	Kazakhstan	12
39=	China	12
39=	Uruguay	12
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₆:

Christian	85.3%
Muslim	0.2%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	14.3%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 85.6% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (17%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 85.9% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 23% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)₇₇.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?