Eslovàquia: Visió econòmica i política
Slovakia remains strongly dependent on external markets, with foreign trade representing 182% of its GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country's strong industrial tradition, tax incentives, inexpensive and skilled workforce, rapidly developing infrastructure (boosted by an influx of EU funds), and fragile but real growth make it a preferred base for trade. Slovakia also benefits from an advantageous geographical location at the crossroads of Central Europe, representing a platform for re-exportation for the European automotive industry. In terms of product categories, in 2023, the country mainly exported machinery and transport equipment (63.1%), manufactured goods (14.7%), and chemical products (4%); while imports were led by machinery and transport equipment (49.2%), manufactured goods (13.6%), mineral fuels (8.7%), and chemical products (8.1% - data Statistics Slovakia). Exports rose mainly due to a 23.6% increase in new passenger car exports, adding EUR 5.8 billion to reach EUR 30.4 billion in 2024. The number of exported vehicles grew by 13.4% (+136.6 thousand units). Petrol cars with engines between 1.5–3 litres saw a 55.2% value increase, while electric and hybrid car exports rose by 20% and 17.3%, respectively. Imports fell primarily due to a 50% drop in natural gas value, which fell to EUR 3.0 billion, despite a smaller volume decline of 18.2%. The sharper value decrease resulted from lower global gas prices.
In 2023, Europe accounted for 77.4% of total exports and 64.9% of imports. On a country basis, Germany (21%), the Czech Republic (12.1%), Poland (7.3%), Hungary (7.1%), and France (5.3%) were the main destinations of Slovakia’s exports; whereas the main suppliers were Germany (14.5%), the Czech Republic (10.2%), China (7.4%), Poland (5.9%), South Korea (5.6%), and Hungary (5.2% - data Comtrade).
Historically, Slovakia has an overall positive trade balance, though it has been decreasing over the last few years and was negative in the two years preceding 2023. According to the national statistical office, in 2023, Slovakia exported goods worth EUR 108.4 billion, marking a 5.5% year-on-year increase. Imports decreased by 3.1% to EUR 103.9 billion. As a result, the foreign trade balance recorded a surplus of EUR 4.5 billion, improving by EUR 9 billion compared to the previous year. The overall trade balance was estimated to be positive by 1.6% of GDP. According to preliminary official data, in 2024, Slovakia's goods exports fell by 1.5% to nearly EUR 107 billion, while imports decreased by 0.2% to almost EUR 104 billion. The country's foreign trade ended the year with a surplus of EUR 3.1 billion, down EUR 1.4 billion in 2023. The balance was negatively impacted by a significant drop in the surplus in machinery and transport equipment and a widening deficit in chemicals.
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 90,001 | 84,393 | 103,891 | 112,466 | 113,532 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 89,509 | 86,640 | 103,891 | 108,386 | 117,316 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 10,929 | 9,247 | 10,665 | 12,182 | 11,652 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 12,294 | 10,338 | 11,311 | 12,601 | 12,476 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 183.7 | 167.5 | 181.9 | 203.9 | 182.3 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -1,677 | -244 | -1,688 | -7,596 | 323 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -128 | 1,106 | -653 | -6,953 | 1,342 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 2.4 | -7.9 | 11.7 | 4.2 | -7.7 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 1.4 | -6.4 | 10.7 | 2.8 | -0.7 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 91.9 | 83.2 | 91.2 | 104.9 | 90.4 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 91.8 | 84.3 | 90.7 | 99.0 | 91.9 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.4 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 5.6 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
Germany | 21.0% |
Czech Republic | 12.1% |
Poland | 7.3% |
Hungary | 7.1% |
France | 5.3% |
Austria | 5.1% |
Italy | 4.5% |
United States | 4.5% |
United Kingdom | 4.3% |
China | 2.7% |
Romania | 2.5% |
Spain | 2.3% |
Netherlands | 2.0% |
Ukraine | 1.7% |
Belgium | 1.5% |
Sweden | 1.3% |
Switzerland | 1.3% |
Türkiye | 1.0% |
Croatia | 0.8% |
Slovenia | 0.7% |
See More Countries | 47.2% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
Germany | 14.5% |
Czech Republic | 10.2% |
China | 7.4% |
Poland | 5.9% |
South Korea | 5.6% |
Hungary | 5.2% |
Russia | 4.3% |
Vietnam | 4.0% |
Italy | 3.3% |
France | 3.1% |
Austria | 2.6% |
Romania | 1.8% |
Spain | 1.6% |
United Kingdom | 1.5% |
Netherlands | 1.4% |
United States | 1.3% |
Slovakia ![]() |
1.0% |
Belgium | 0.9% |
Türkiye | 0.9% |
Ukraine | 0.9% |
See More Countries | 56.4% |
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
11.5 bn USD of services exported in 2023 | |
35.29% | |
26.49% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 25.29% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 1.20% |
18.91% | |
13.97% | |
1.86% | |
1.54% | |
0.69% | |
0.63% | |
0.35% | |
0.28% |
11.5 bn USD of services imported in 2023 | |
32.61% | |
23.53% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 21.71% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 1.82% |
20.25% | |
11.26% | |
7.54% | |
1.80% | |
1.25% | |
1.09% | |
0.64% | |
0.03% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: March 2025
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