Editing Slovenia (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Slovenia}}
Slovenia has a [[developed country|developed economy]] and is the richest Slavic country by GDP per capita.<ref name="rich2">{{cite web |title=Republic of Slovenia : 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Slovenia |url=http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2017/05/15/Republic-of-Slovenia-2017-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-44921 |website=IMF.org |publisher=International Monetary Fund |access-date=11 July 2018 |date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Slovenia is also among the top global economies in terms of [[human capital]].<ref name="hdi">[http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/816281518818814423/pdf/2019-WDR-Report.pdf The World Bank: the human capital index (HCI), 2018]. Retrieved 8. October 2019.</ref> It is the most developed transition country with an old [[Coal mining|mining]]-[[Industrial society|industrial]] tradition, [[chemical industry]], and developed [[Service economy|service]] activities.
Slovenia was in the beginning of 2007 the first new member to introduce the [[euro]] as its currency, replacing the [[Slovenian tolar|tolar]]. Since 2010, it has been member of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]].<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/><ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1mwG3haSo_cC&pg=PA27 |chapter=Eastern Europe |title=Nations and Government: Comparative Politics in Regional Perspective |first=Thomas |last=M. Magstadt |edition=6th |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-495-91528-7 |publisher=Cengage Learning |page=27}}</ref> There is a big difference in prosperity between the various regions. The economically wealthiest regions are the [[Central Slovenia Statistical Region|Central Slovenia]] region, which includes the capital [[Ljubljana]] and the [[Slovene Littoral|western Slovenian regions]] (the [[Gorizia Statistical Region|Gorizia]] and [[Coastal–Karst Statistical Region|Coastal–Karst]] Statistical Regions), while the least wealthy regions are the [[Mura Statistical Region|Mura]], [[Central Sava Statistical Region|Central Sava]], and [[Littoral–Inner Carniola Statistical Region|Littoral–Inner Carniola]] Statistical Regions.<ref name="bslo">[https://www.bsi.si/library/includes/datoteka.asp?DatotekaId=4696 "Regional Disparities in Slovenia 2/12"]; retrieved 8 April 2015.</ref>

=== Economic growth ===
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2023}}
[[File:GDP per capita development in Slovenia.svg|thumb|GDP per capita development in Slovenia]]
In 2004–06, the economy grew on average by nearly 5% a year in Slovenia; in 2007, it expanded by almost 7%. The growth surge was fuelled by debt, particularly among firms, and especially in construction. The [[Great Recession]] and [[European sovereign-debt crisis]] had a significant impact on the domestic economy.<ref name="Slovenia's Economy: Next in Line">{{cite news|title=Slovenia's Economy: Next in Line|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21560567|access-date=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Economist|date=18 August 2012}}</ref> The construction industry was severely hit in 2010 and 2011.<ref name="ST2012-03-13">{{cite news |url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/double-dip-recession-is-the-%E2%80%98official%E2%80%99-reality |title=Double Dip Recession is the 'Slovenian' Reality |newspaper=The Slovenia Times |date=13 March 2012 |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208095317/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/double-dip-recession-is-the-%E2%80%98official%E2%80%99-reality |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009, Slovenian [[GDP per capita]] shrank by 8%, the biggest decline in the European Union after the [[Baltic countries]] and Finland. An increasing burden for the Slovenian economy has been its rapidly aging population.<ref name="CNBC2012-01-23">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/10/30/Countries-With-Aging-Populations.html |title=Countries with Aging Populations |work=CNBC |date=23 January 2012 |first=Rajeshni |last=Naidu-Ghelani |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223035533/http://www.cnbc.com/id/46010334/Countries_With_Aging_Populations?slide=3 |archive-date=23 February 2013}}</ref>

In August 2012, the year-on-year contraction was 0.8%; however, 0.2% growth was recorded in the first quarter (in relation to the quarter before, after data was adjusted according to season and working days).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/statistics-office-to-release-gdp-data-for-q2 |title=Statistics Office to Release GDP Data for Q2 |newspaper=The Slovenia Times |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=13 September 2012 |archive-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213170333/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/statistics-office-to-release-gdp-data-for-q2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Year-on-year contraction has been attributed to the fall in domestic consumption and the slowdown in export growth. The decrease in domestic consumption has been attributed to the fiscal [[austerity]], to the freeze on budget expenditure in the final months of 2011,<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-29/slovenia-s-economy-falls-in-recession-as-export-growth-weakens.html |title=Slovenia's Economy Falls into a Recession as Exports Weaken |first=Boris |last=Cerni |date=29 February 2012 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> to the failure of the efforts to implement [[microeconomic reform|economic reforms]], to inappropriate financing, and to the decrease in exports.<ref name="RTV2012-02-29">{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/zdrs-v-recesijo-so-ekonomisti-pricakovali/277878 |title=Zdrs v recesijo so ekonomisti pričakovali |language=sl |newspaper=MMC RTV Slovenija |publisher=RTV Slovenija |issn=1581-372X |date=29 February 2012}}</ref>

Due to the effects of the crisis, it was expected that several banks had to be bailed out by EU funds in 2013; however, needed capital was able to be covered by the country's own funds. Fiscal actions and legislations aiming on the reduction of spendings as well as several privatisations supported an economic recovery as from 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.eu/article/slovenia-turns-itself-around-greece-bailout-bank-crisis/ |title=How Slovenia turned itself around |last=MacDowall |first=Andrew |date=15 July 2015 |website=Politico Europe |access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The real economic growth rate was at 2.5% in 2016 and accelerated to 5% in 2017.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/en/News/Index/7266 |title=GDP up by 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and by 5.0% in 2017 |date=28 February 2018 |website=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |access-date=5 December 2018 |archive-date=5 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205193509/https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/en/News/Index/7266 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The construction sector has seen a recent increase,<ref name="auto"/> and the tourism industry is expected to have continuous rising numbers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://seenews.com/news/tourism-contributes-35-directly-to-slovenias-gdp-in-2016-wttc-572255 |title=Tourism contributes 3.5% directly to Slovenia's GDP in 2016 – WTTC |last=Garaca |first=Maja |date=14 June 2017 |website=SeeNews |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803130635/https://seenews.com/news/tourism-contributes-35-directly-to-slovenias-gdp-in-2016-wttc-572255 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Since 2017, Slovenia has experienced moderate economic growth, with GDP growth averaging around 2% per year between 2017 and 2019. However, like many other countries, Slovenia's economy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a contraction of around 5% in 2020. Overall, Slovenia's economy is relatively small but open and has shown resilience in recent years.

Slovenia's manufacturing sector is one of the largest contributors to the country's economy, accounting for around 25% of GDP. The country has a strong tradition in manufacturing, particularly in the areas of automotive and electrical engineering. Other important sectors include services, which account for around 65% of GDP, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for around 2% of GDP.

Slovenia is a highly export-oriented economy, with exports accounting for around 80% of GDP. The country's main export partners are other European countries, particularly Germany, Italy, and Austria. Key exports include machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, and chemicals.

The government of Slovenia has implemented a range of policies aimed at promoting economic growth and development. These include efforts to attract foreign investment, reduce red tape, and increase investment in research and development. The country has also introduced reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of its labor market and increasing the flexibility of its economy. The government's approach to consulting [[Trade association|business associations]] has been noted by the European Commission as a good practice example.<ref>European Commission Expert Group, [https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/growth/items/42961/ Report of the Expert Group: Think Small First – Considering SME interests in policy-making - Executive Summary], published on 31 March 2009, accessed on 2 September 2024</ref>

=== Services and industry ===
Almost two-thirds of people are employed in services, and over one-third in industry and construction.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/slovenia/ |at=Economy |title=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency, United States |date=23 February 2012}}</ref> Slovenia benefits from a well-educated workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and its location at the crossroads of major trade routes.<ref name="VE2012-03-15">{{cite web |url=http://dunaj.veleposlanistvo.si/index.php?id=4035&L=1 |title=Osnovni gospodarski podatki o Sloveniji |language=sl |publisher=Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Vienna |access-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618170200/http://dunaj.veleposlanistvo.si/index.php?id=4035&L=1 |archive-date=18 June 2012}}</ref>

The level of [[foreign direct investment]]&nbsp;(FDI) per capita in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU,<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/> and the labor productivity and the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy is still significantly below the EU average.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/posel-in-denar/dr-pavle-sicherl-slovenija-je-po-produktivnosti-dela-23-let-za-evropo_2.html |title=Dr. Pavle Sicherl: Slovenija je po produktivnosti dela 23 let za Evropo |language=sl |newspaper=Delo.si |date=8 August 2011 |issn=1854-6544 |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225133029/http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/posel-in-denar/dr-pavle-sicherl-slovenija-je-po-produktivnosti-dela-23-let-za-evropo_2.html |archive-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/makromonitor/konkurencnost-slovenske-industrije-pod-evropskim-povprecjem.html |title=Konkurenčnost slovenske industrije pod evropskim povprečjem |language=sl |newspaper=Delo.si |date=14 October 2011 |issn=1854-6544 |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015180328/http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/makromonitor/konkurencnost-slovenske-industrije-pod-evropskim-povprecjem.html |archive-date=15 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Taxes are relatively high, the [[labor market]] is seen by business interests as being inflexible, and industries are losing sales to China, India, and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/slovenia/|title=The World Factbook 2007 – Slovenia, Economy|date=22 September 2021}}</ref>

High level of openness makes Slovenia extremely sensitive to economic conditions in its main trading partners and changes in its international price competitiveness.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/pub/Blagovna_menjava_ang.pdf |title=Slovenia'S Trade in Goods / In The 2000–2010 Period |first1=Simon |last1=Perše |first2=Snježana |last2=Štuhec Lončarević |first3=Alenka |last3=Kozar |first4=Almira |last4=Urbiha |first5=Jana |last5=Živec |first6=Amira |last6=Mušić |date=January 2012 |isbn=978-961-239-240-6 |page=20 |publisher=Statistični urad Republike Slovenije |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-date=2 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502205618/http://www.stat.si/doc/pub/Blagovna_menjava_ang.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The main industries are motor vehicles, electric and electronic equipment, machinery, [[pharmaceutical]]s, and fuels.<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/> Examples of major Slovenian companies operating in Slovenia include the home appliance manufacturer [[Gorenje]], the pharmaceutical companies [[Krka (company)|Krka]] and Lek ([[Novartis]]' subsidiary), the oil distributing company [[Petrol Group]], energy distribution companys GEN, GEN-I, HSE and [[Revoz]], a manufacturing subsidiary of [[Renault]].<ref>[http://www.sloveniatimes.com/gorenje-krka-biggest-exporters-of-2012 "Gorenje, Krka Biggest Exporters of 2012"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416221129/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/gorenje-krka-biggest-exporters-of-2012 |date=16 April 2017 }}. Retrieved 16 April 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.sloveniatimes.com/18-slovenian-firms-in-deloitte-central-europe-top-500 "18 Slovenian Firms in Deloitte Central Europe Top 500"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416221434/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/18-slovenian-firms-in-deloitte-central-europe-top-500 |date=16 April 2017 }}. Retrieved 16 April 2017.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/novice/vodilna-podjetja-so-povecala-relativno-tezo-v-gospodarstvu-53765.html|title=FOTO:Petrol prvi, sledi mu Gen-I|last=Viršek|first=Damjan|date=28 May 2018|website=delo.si|language=sl-si|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
{{Further|Energy in Slovenia}}
[[File:Nuklearna elektrarna Krško.jpg|thumb|right|Krško Nuclear Power Plant, 696 MW]]

In 2018, the net energy production was 12,262&nbsp;GWh and consumption was 14,501&nbsp;GWh. Hydroelectric plants produced 4,421&nbsp;GWh, thermal plants produced 4,049&nbsp;GWh, and the [[Krško Nuclear Power Plant]] produced 2,742&nbsp;GWh (50% share that goes to Slovenia; other 50% goes to Croatia due to joint ownership). 
Domestic electricity consumption was covered 84.6% by domestic production; the percentage is decreasing from year to year meaning Slovenia is more and more dependent on electricity imports.<ref name="agencija">{{Cite web|url=https://www.agen-rs.si/documents/10926/38704/Poro%C4%8Dilo-o-stanju-v-energetiki-2018/f0ee7a7a-3b8d-48b3-8a29-8cdc258d2e69|title=POROČILO O STANJU NA PODROČJU ENERGETIKE V SLOVENIJI (page 18)|website=agen-rs.si/|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>

A new 600&nbsp;MW block of [[Šoštanj#Power plant|Šoštanj thermal power plant]] finished construction and went online in the autumn of 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/184/2015/02|title=News – Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant|website=te-sostanj.si|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103126/http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/184/2015/02|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new 39.5&nbsp;MW HE Krško hydro power plant was finished in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agen-rs.si/documents/10926/38704/Poro%C4%8Dilo-o-stanju-v-energetiki-2018/f0ee7a7a-3b8d-48b3-8a29-8cdc258d2e69|title=POROČILO O STANJU NA PODROČJU ENERGETIKE V SLOVENIJI 2018 (page 11)|website=agen-rs.si|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> The 41.5&nbsp;MW HE Brežice and 30.5&nbsp;MW HE Mokrice hydro power plants were built on the [[Sava]] River in 2018 and the construction of ten more hydropower plants with a cumulative capacity of 338&nbsp;MW is planned to be finished by 2030. A large [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity|pumped-storage hydro power plant]] Kozjak on the [[Drava]] River is in the planning stage.

At the end of 2018, at least 295&nbsp;MWp of [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic modules]] and 31,4&nbsp;MW of [[Biogas power plant|biogas powerplants]] were installed. Compared to 2017, renewable energy sources contributed 5.6 percentage points more into whole energy consumption. There is interest to add more production in the area of solar and wind energy sources (subsidising schemes are increasing economic feasibility), but microlocation settlement procedures take enormous toll on the efficiency of this intitiatve (nature preservation vs. energy production facilities dilemma).<ref name="agencija"/>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Postojna Cave. 2012-07-26 13-41-13.jpg|thumb|alt=Postojna Cave|[[Postojna Cave]]]]{{Main|Tourism in Slovenia}}

Slovenia offers tourists a wide variety of natural and cultural amenities. Different forms of tourism have developed. The tourist gravitational area is considerably large, however the tourist market is small. There has been no large-scale tourism and no acute environmental pressures;<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Portals/8/Slo_Geo_Over/25.pdf |first=Uroš |last=Horvat |chapter=Tourism in Slovenia |page=146 |title=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |isbn=961-6500-49-X |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004}}</ref> in 2017, [[National Geographic]] Traveller's Magazine declared Slovenia as the country with the world's most [[sustainable tourism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/slovenia/worlds-most-sustainable-eco-green-country/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627220943/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/slovenia/worlds-most-sustainable-eco-green-country/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 June 2018|title=This Is the World's Most Sustainable Country |date=27 June 2018 |publisher=[[National Geographic Society]] |access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref> The nation's capital, [[Ljubljana]], has many important [[Baroque]] and [[Vienna Secession]] buildings, with several important works of the native born architect [[Jože Plečnik]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aml.si/plecnikova-hisa/teorija/plecnikova-ljubljana/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903231641/http://www.aml.si/plecnikova-hisa/teorija/plecnikova-ljubljana/|url-status=dead|title=Podoba Plečnikove Ljubljane|archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>

At the northwestern corner of the country lie the [[Julian Alps]] with [[Lake Bled]] and the [[Soča]] Valley, as well as the nation's highest peak, [[Mount Triglav]] in the middle of [[Triglav National Park]]. Other mountain ranges include [[Kamnik–Savinja Alps]], the [[Karawanks]], and [[Pohorje]], popular with skiers and hikers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/Active-holidays.htm?aktivne_pocitnice=0&lng=2 |title=Active holidays – Slovenia – Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526112751/http://www.slovenia.info/en/Active-holidays.htm?aktivne_pocitnice=0&lng=2 |archive-date=26 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Karst Plateau]] in the [[Slovene Littoral]] gave its name to [[karst]], a landscape shaped by water dissolving the carbonate bedrock, forming caves. The best-known caves are [[Postojna Cave]] and the [[UNESCO World Heritage Site|UNESCO]]-listed [[Škocjan Caves]]. The region of [[Slovenian Istria]] meets the [[Adriatic Sea]], where the most important historical monument is the [[Venetian Gothic architecture|Venetian Gothic]] Mediterranean town of [[Piran]] while the settlement of [[Portorož]] attracts crowds in summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piran.si/index.php?page=static&item=1 |title=Občina Piran-O občini |publisher=Piran.si |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513152503/http://www.piran.si/index.php?page=static&item=1 |archive-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:View of Bled Island (6).jpg|thumb|alt=Lake Bled|[[Lake Bled]] with its island]]The hills around Slovenia's second-largest city, [[Maribor]], are renowned for their wine-making. The northeastern part of the country is rich with spas,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/jun/23/slovenia.travelfoodanddrink.shortbreaks | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Liane | last=Katz | title=Detox, retox in Slovenia | date=23 June 2006}}</ref> with [[Rogaška Slatina]], [[Radenci]], [[Čatež ob Savi]], [[Dobrna]], and [[Moravske Toplice]] growing in importance in the last two decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/15-Slovenian-natural-spas.htm?zdravilisce=0&lng=2|title=15 Spas in Slovenia, Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>

Other popular tourist destinations include the historic cities of [[Ptuj]] and [[Škofja Loka]], and several castles, such as [[Predjama Castle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/arhitekturne-znamenitosti.htm?arhitekturne_znamenitosti=0&lng=2 |title=Architectural Heritage – Slovenia – Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404141006/http://www.slovenia.info/en/arhitekturne-znamenitosti.htm?arhitekturne_znamenitosti=0&lng=2 |archive-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/grad.htm?grad=0&lng=2 |title=Castles – Slovenia – Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |access-date=2 June 2012}}</ref>

Important parts of tourism in Slovenia include congress and [[gambling tourism]]. Slovenia is the country with the highest percentage of [[casino]]s per 1,000&nbsp;inhabitants in the European Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.earthinpictures.com/world/slovenia/ |title=Slovenia photo gallery – pictures, facts and information on Slovenia |publisher=Earthinpictures.com |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622032938/http://www.earthinpictures.com/world/slovenia/ |archive-date=22 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Perla hotel and casino|Perla]] in [[Nova Gorica]] is the largest casino in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/easteurope-casinos.asp |title=East Europe Casinos and Gambling |publisher=Worldcasinodirectory.com |access-date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922151652/http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/easteurope-casinos.asp |archive-date=22 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Most of foreign tourists to Slovenia come from the key European markets: [[Italy]], [[Austria]], [[Germany]], [[Croatia]], [[Belgium]], [[Netherlands]], [[Serbia]], [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]], followed by [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenia.info/pictures/TB_board/atachments_1/2011/tvs_slo_e_12434.pdf |title=I Feel Slovenia: 2010 |publisher=Slovenia.info |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510062633/http://www.slovenia.info/pictures/TB_board/atachments_1/2011/tvs_slo_e_12434.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> European tourists create more than 90% of Slovenia's tourist income. In 2016, Slovenia was declared the world's first green country by the Netherlands-based organization Green Destinations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/slovenia-declared-world-s-first-green-country|title=Slovenia declared world's first green country|website=Sloveniatimes.com|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803132721/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/slovenia-declared-world-s-first-green-country|archive-date=3 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On being declared the most sustainable country in 2016, Slovenia had a big part to play at the [[ITB Berlin]] to promote sustainable tourism.

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Slovenia}}
Geography has dictated transport routes in Slovenia. Significant mountain ranges, major rivers and proximity to the Danube played roles in the development of the area's transportation corridors. One recent particular advantage are the [[Pan-European transport corridor]]s [[Pan-European transport corridor V|V]] (the fastest link between the North Adriatic, and Central and Eastern Europe) and [[Pan-European Corridor X|X]] (linking Central Europe with the Balkans). This gives it a special position in the European social, economic and cultural integration and restructuring.<ref name="UKOM2000-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/transport/slovenia_a_country_at_the_crossroads_of_transport_links/ |title=Slovenia, a Country at the Crossroads of Transport Links |publisher=Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia |date=November 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708045103/http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/transport/slovenia_a_country_at_the_crossroads_of_transport_links/ |archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Motorways-SLO-map 2018.jpg|alt=|upright=1.35|thumb|Motorways in Slovenia in August 2020]]

==== Roads ====
The road freight and passenger transport constitutes the largest part of transport in Slovenia at 80%.<ref name="MW2009SORS">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=2582 |title=Teden mobilnosti 2009 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213181341/http://www.stat.si/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=2582 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Personal cars are much more popular than public road passenger transport, which has significantly declined.<ref name="MW2009SORS"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=214 |title=Lastništvo avtomobilov v gospodinjstvih |language=sl |publisher=Environment Agency of Slovenia |author=Bernard Vukadin, Barbara |author2=Kušar, Urška |author3=Burja, Alenka |date=25 October 2009}}</ref> Slovenia has a very high [[highways in Slovenia|highway and motorway density]] compared to the European Union average.<ref name="ECORYS2011">{{cite book |chapter-url=http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/evaluation/pdf/evasltrat_tran/slovenia.pdf |chapter=Situation per mode of transport |title=Study on Strategic Evaluation on Transport Investment Priorities under Structural and Cohesion funds for the Programming Period 2007–2013 |date=August 2006 |publisher=ECORYS Nederland BV}}</ref> The highway system, the construction of which was accelerated after 1994,<ref name="Oplotnik2004">{{cite conference |url=http://dinamico2.unibg.it/highways/paper/oplotnik.pdf |title=National motorway construction program (NMCP) in Slovenia (financing, impact on national economy and realization) |author1=Oplotnik, Žan |author2=Križanič, France |book-title=Highways: cost and regulation in Europe |date=November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120161909/https://dinamico2.unibg.it/highways/paper/oplotnik.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> has slowly but steadily transformed Slovenia into a large [[conurbation]].<ref>{{cite conference |url=ftp://ftp.cgs.si/Uporabniki/UrosZ/clanki/10.%20kongres%20o%20cestah%20in%20prometu/19-24.pdf |title=Narodnogospodarske koristi in razvojne možnosti prometnih sistemov v RS |language=sl, en |first=Peter |last=Gabrijelčič |book-title=10th Slovenian Road and Transport Congress |date=October 2010 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Other state roads have been rapidly deteriorating because of neglect and the overall increase in traffic.<ref name="ECORYS2011"/>

==== Railways ====
{{main|Slovenian Railways}}

The existing Slovenian railways are out-of-date and have difficulty competing with the motorway network; partially also as a result of dispersed population settlement.<ref name="ARSO420">{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=420#comment |title=Vlaganja v prometno infrastrukturo: Komentar |language=sl |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=18 November 2011 |author=Plevnik, Aljaž |author2=Polanec, Vesna}}</ref> Due to this fact and the projected increase in traffic through the port of [[Koper]], which is primarily by train, a second rail on the Koper-Divača route is in early stages of starting construction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drugitir.si/|title=Za razvoj Slovenije {{!}} Drugi tir|website=www.drugitir.si|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303000005/http://www.drugitir.si/|archive-date=3 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> With a lack of financial assets, maintenance and modernisation of the Slovenian railway network have been neglected.<ref name="UNIMB2011-04">{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.losamedchem.eu/web/attachments/article/20/SWOT%20KOPER%20+%20UM.pdf |chapter=Executive Summary |title=Analysis of the infrastructure network in Slovenia and report on SWOT analysis |publisher=Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor. Port of Koper |date=April 2011 |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510062631/http://www.losamedchem.eu/web/attachments/article/20/SWOT%20KOPER%20+%20UM.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to the out-of-date infrastructure, the share of the railway freight transport has been in decline in Slovenia.<ref name="ARS416">{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=416#comment |title= Obseg in sestava blagovnega prevoza in prometa: Komentar|publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=18 November 2011 |author=Plevnik, Aljaž |author2=Polanec, Vesna}}</ref> The railway passenger transport has been recovering after a large drop in the 1990s.<ref name=ARS416/> The Pan-European railway corridors V and X, and several other major European rail lines intersect in Slovenia.<ref name="UNIMB2011-04"/>

==== Ports ====
The major Slovenian port is the [[Port of Koper]]. It is the largest Northern Adriatic port in terms of container transport,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.greenmed.eu/news-1160.html |title=Koper Port Hits Record High in Container Traffic |newspaper=Green Med Journal |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125155522/http://www.greenmed.eu/news-1160.html |archive-date=25 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with almost 590,000 [[twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEUs]] annually<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.porttechnology.org/news/konecranes_to_delivery_three_further_rtgs_to_luka_koper/ |title=Konecranes to deliver three further RTGs to Luka Koper |newspaper=Port Technology International |date=23 January 2012 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518173144/http://www.porttechnology.org/news/konecranes_to_delivery_three_further_rtgs_to_luka_koper/ |archive-date=18 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and lines to all major world ports.<ref name="ECONSHIP2011"/><ref name="AH2008-16-3GA">{{cite journal |url=http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-JKJ7TQMG/74880c59-56c7-48b6-9ed2-73ca85b11622/PDF |title=Sodobne pol1t1čno-geografske značilnosti alpsko-jadranskega prostora brez meja |language=sl, en, it |first=Anton |last=Gosar |journal=Acta Histriae |year=2008 |volume=16 |issue=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025125302/http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN%3ANBN%3ASI%3ADOC-JKJ7TQMG/74880c59-56c7-48b6-9ed2-73ca85b11622/PDF |archive-date=25 October 2013}}</ref> It is much closer to destinations east of the [[Suez Canal|Suez]] than the ports of Northern Europe.<ref name="ECONSHIP2011">{{cite conference |url=http://www.stt.aegean.gr/econship2011/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=100&tmpl=component&format=raw&Itemid=20 |title=Container Boom in the Port of Koper |author1=Twrdy, Elen |author2=Trupac, Igor |book-title=European Conference on Shipping & Ports 2011: Proceedings |isbn=978-960-93329-5-8 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In addition, the maritime passenger traffic mostly takes place in Koper.<ref name="RR21">{{cite journal |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-084-1101.pdf |title=Transport |journal=Statistične informacije [Rapid Reports] |date=4 November 2011 |page=11 |issue=21 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227093005/https://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-084-1101.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two smaller ports used for the international passenger transport as well as cargo transport are located in [[Izola]] and [[Piran]]. Passenger transport mainly takes place with Italy and Croatia.<ref name="ReNPRP">{{cite web |url=http://www.mzp.gov.si/fileadmin/mzp.gov.si/pageuploads/DPomorstvo_splosno/2010_Nacionalni_program_verzija_22.pdf |title=Resolucija o nacionalnem programu razvoja pomorstva Republike Slovenije |language=sl |publisher=Ministry of Transport, Republic of Slovenia |date=3 November 2010 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510062630/http://www.mzp.gov.si/fileadmin/mzp.gov.si/pageuploads/DPomorstvo_splosno/2010_Nacionalni_program_verzija_22.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Splošna plovba]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/edini-slovenski-ladjar-praznuje/24584 |title=Edini slovenski ladjar praznuje|newspaper=MMC RTV Slovenija |date=22 October 2004 |issn=1581-372X}}</ref> the only Slovenian shipping company, transports freight and is active only in foreign ports.<ref name="RR21"/>

==== Air ====
Air transport in Slovenia is very low,<ref name="ARS416"/> but has significantly grown since 1991.<ref name="RR26">{{cite journal |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-284-1001.pdf |title=Transport |journal=Statistične informacije [Rapid Report] |date=22 November 2010 |issue=26 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227094007/https://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-284-1001.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Of the three international airports in Slovenia, [[Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport]] in central Slovenia is the busiest,<ref name="RR26"/> with connections to many major European destinations.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lju-airport.si/pripone/1085/informator_junij11_koncna.pdf |title=Information Booklet |year=2011 |publisher=Aerodrom Ljubljana |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510062631/http://www.lju-airport.si/pripone/1085/informator_junij11_koncna.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport]] is located in the eastern part of the country and the [[Portorož Airport]] in the west.<ref name="RR26"/> The state-owned [[Adria Airways]] was the largest Slovenian airline; however in 2019 it declared bankruptcy and ceased operations.<ref name="RR26"/> Since 2003, several new carriers have entered the market, mainly low-cost airlines.<ref name="ECORYS2011"/> The only Slovenian [[military airbase|military airport]] is the [[Cerklje ob Krki Air Base]] in the southwest.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mo.gov.si/fileadmin/mo.gov.si/pageuploads/revija_sv/2006/sv06_08.pdf |title=Cerklje Airport on its way to future growth |journal=Slovenska Vojska |page=29 |volume=XIV |issue=8 |year=2006 |first=Jože |last=Konda |issn=1580-1993 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510062628/http://www.mo.gov.si/fileadmin/mo.gov.si/pageuploads/revija_sv/2006/sv06_08.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are also 12&nbsp;[[public airport]]s in Slovenia.<ref name="RR26"/>