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Slovenia

Facts and figures

(Photo: WHO/ Marijan Ivanuša)

Slovenia is a small country with a low-density population of about 2 million. It covers 20 273 km2, of which 66% is wooded, 27.8% agricultural and 2.8% built up. The official language is Slovenian.

Slovenia is a member of the European Union and a parliamentary democracy; the head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote every five years. The bicameral parliament of Slovenia consists of the National Assembly and the National Council.

Slovenia is a high-income developed economy. The financial crisis has reduced stable economic growth and caused a decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. Growth is predicted for 2010.

Health

  • Life expectancy in 2006 was 78.35 years (74.55 for men and 82.03 years for women).
  • The leading causes of death in 2006 were cardiovascular diseases (40%), cancer (29%), injury or poisoning (9%), respiratory diseases (7%) and diseases of the digestive system (6%). Cancer incidence is on the rise, partly associated with the ageing population.
  • Just over 58% of the population in the age group 25–65 years is overweight or obese.
  • Morbidity from diabetes affects 5–6% of the population.
  • Slovenia ranks number 8 in suicide rate, which is 35% higher than the average for the WHO European Region.
  • Communicable diseases are well controlled. The infant immunization rate for common diseases (such as poliomyelitis, measles, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria and tuberculosis) is over 95%.
  • HIV prevalence is low (less than 1 per 1000 inhabitants).

The Government focuses on reducing noncommunicable diseases; the national programmes for cancer and diabetes control and the national strategy on HIV/AIDS were developed in 2009.

Promoting healthy lifestyles is also a high priority. The Act Amending the Restriction of the Use of Tobacco Products Act, which entered into force on 5 August 2007, bans smoking from all closed public areas. Several other initiatives address healthy lifestyles by, for example, reducing alcohol intake, and promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity, especially in schools.