Quick facts
Slovakia population overview
Slovakia is the 25th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 5,456,628 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 24 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 48,018 births (8.8 per 1,000 people) and 57,295 deaths (10.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 131 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 4,068,095 in 1960 to 5,413,813 in 2025 — a change of +33.1%, or +0.4% per year on average. It peaked at 5,458,827 in 2020 and has declined 0.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 42.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.8 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15.6% of residents are under 15 and 19% are 65 or older (2025); 53.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bratislava. Slovakia covers 49,030 km², giving a population density of about 111 people per km². GDP was $154.53B in 2025 — about $28,544 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Slovakia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,449,665 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,456,628 |
| World rank | #123 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #25 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.066% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 48,018 |
| Deaths per year est. | 57,295 |
| Net migration per year est. | +131 |
| Birth rate | 8.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 95.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 42.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 53.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 49,030 km² |
| Population density | 111 per km² |
| Capital | Bratislava |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $154.53B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $28,544 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Slovakia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,449,665 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,413,813 | -8,256 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 5,422,069 | -4,671 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 5,426,740 | -5,012 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 5,431,752 | -15,495 | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 5,447,247 | -11,580 | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 5,458,827 | +35,026 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 5,423,801 | +32,373 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 5,391,428 | +18,621 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 5,372,807 | -15,913 | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 5,388,720 | +26,721 | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 5,361,999 | +62,812 | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 5,299,187 | +137,419 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 5,161,768 | +181,953 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 4,979,815 | +240,710 | +1% |
| 1975 | 4,739,105 | +200,882 | +0.9% |
| 1970 | 4,538,223 | +167,240 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 4,370,983 | +302,888 | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 4,068,095 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Slovakia
Population over time
- From 4,068,095 in 1960 to 5,449,665 today — up 34%.
- Population peaked at 5,458,827 in 2020 and is down 0.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: 0% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.4 years (2024), up 8.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.5 births vs 9.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 1.4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 15.6% of the population is under 15 and 19% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 6.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 29.89 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 62.75 Mt in 1980 — down 52.4% since.
- Per person: 5.51 t in 2024, vs 9.67 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 3,010.7 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 25.2% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 17.9% of final energy in 2021 (+15.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 40.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 39.5% to 40.1% since 1993 — roughly 250 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 53.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 33.4% in 1960 (+19.8 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1978.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,320 m³ in 2022, down 2% since 1993.
Economy
- GDP: $154.53B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 73.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $28,544 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 89.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 140 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Slovakia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Slovakia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Slovakia has an estimated population of 5,449,665. The United Nations estimated 5,456,628 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Slovakia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 24 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 48,018 births and 57,295 deaths, with net migration of +131.
What is the population density of Slovakia?
About 111 people per square kilometre: 5,449,665 people living on 49,030 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Slovakia?
The median age is 42.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.8 years. 15.6% of the population is under 15 and 19% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Slovakia rank by population?
Slovakia is the 123rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 25th in Europe, with 0.066% of the global population.
How has the population of Slovakia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 4,068,095; by 2025 it had grown to 5,413,813 (+33.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Central African RepublicSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.