Prirodni rast u prvom tromjesečju opet negativan, migrantski pozitivan

Natural population growth in Slovenia remained negative during the first quarter of 2026, while net migration continued to be positive. According to data released by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS), the country recorded a natural decrease of 1,658 residents, with births totaling 3,987 and deaths reaching 5,645. This represents a decline in both birth and death rates compared to the same period last year, births were down by 76 (2%) and deaths by 164 (3%). The natural population growth rate per 1,000 inhabitants shifted slightly from -3.3 to -3.1 over the past year. The number of marriages in the first quarter of 2026 was 747, which marks a decrease of 12 pairs (2%) compared to the previous year. Conversely, the number of divorces increased by 33 (6%), reaching 563. Internal migrations within Slovenia declined by 3%, with 26,938 registered internal moves. Meanwhile, more foreigners arrived in Slovenia than left the country, with 8,380 immigrants entering the country, a 10% increase compared to the same time last year, and 5,444 citizens leaving, a 10% drop. Among these, 1,206 Slovenian citizens left the country, while 4,238 foreign nationals did so. The net migration gain for foreign nationals stood at +3,239, whereas the net loss for Slovenian citizens was -303. Despite the negative natural growth, the overall population of Slovenia continues to rise due to immigration. As of the second quarter of 2026, the total population has reached its highest level in history, increasing from 2,022,629 in the third quarter of 2008 to 2,136,385. However, this growth is largely driven by immigration rather than natural increase. During the same period, the number of Slovenian citizens decreased by 50,508, while the number of foreign nationals rose by 164,264. Without immigration, the total population would have been declining for several years already. According to recent statistics, the number of residents in Slovenia grew by 4,257 in 2025, despite a decrease in the number of Slovenian citizens by approximately 5,200 and an increase in the number of foreign nationals by nearly 9,500. Today, 10.7% of Slovenia’s population consists of foreign nationals, highlighting the growing influence of immigration on the demographic structure of the country. Economic factors play a major role in driving immigration to Slovenia. Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicates that 60% of long-term migrants come to Slovenia for employment reasons, while an additional 24% migrate for family reunification. Only 0.6% of migrants arrive for humanitarian reasons. This contrasts sharply with the average for OECD countries, where work-related migration accounts for around 17% of all long-term migrants, with family reunification being the largest category. Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the leading source of migrants in Slovenia, with over 115,000 valid residence permits held by its citizens. Other notable contributors include Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia. The OECD reports that 45% of all foreign-born residents in Slovenia were born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, new trends indicate a rising presence of migrants from Asia, particularly India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. These countries are increasingly becoming sources of labor for Slovenia's economy. The government has recognized the significance of these demographic changes and established the Ministry of Demography to address the challenges posed by aging populations and low fertility rates. The ministry aims to implement measures aimed at encouraging higher birth rates, supporting families, facilitating the balance between professional and family life, and adapting the state to an aging population. Prime Minister Janez Janša has emphasized that demographics represent one of the most pressing long-term challenges facing the country, even though the overall population continues to grow primarily through immigration. While the population of Slovenia is currently at its highest point in history, the underlying demographic shifts raise questions about the sustainability of this growth and the implications for national identity and social cohesion. The lack of comprehensive data on language proficiency among immigrants further complicates efforts to assess their integration into Slovenian society. Although some partial information is collected through language exams, school monitoring, and research institutions, there is no centralized system tracking the linguistic abilities of all immigrants. This gap highlights the need for more systematic approaches to understanding and addressing the evolving demographic landscape of Slovenia.