Slovenia : economy statistics and industry reports

Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment.

In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank.

In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD.

Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high.

Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere.

In 2009, the world recession caused the economy to contract - through falling exports and industrial production - by more than 8%, and unemployment to rise above 9%.

Although growth resumed in 2010, the unemployment rate continued to rise, topping 10%.