By: Vida Kocjan
According to data from the Bank of Slovenia, published in the September Review of Macroeconomic Trends, Slovenia’s GDP growth in the first half of 2025 was zero. GDP reflects the movement of economic growth. The situation was entirely different in eurozone countries, where GDP growth over the same period was 0.7%.
It is worrying that the Office for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (Umar) has more than halved its growth forecast for 2025. Last year, growth was 1.7%, while this year it is expected to be only 0.8%. As recently as spring, they had anticipated growth higher than last year, at 2.1%.
Overall, Slovenia ranks among the worst in numerous macroeconomic indicators both in the EU and the eurozone. This includes inflation and the rising cost of living, where the country is also among the leaders in food price increases. Slovenia remains particularly poor at drawing EU funds, according to the latest European Commission analysis.
Slovenia is struggling; investments are decreasing, and according to the latest Ministry of Finance data, less than a third of the planned investment budget has been spent this year. At the same time, the budget deficit already exceeds one billion euros. The government covers this with new taxes and additional borrowing, and by September 15, €683 million had already been paid in interest.
Revenues are shrinking, economic growth is fading, and Golob’s government has no real excuses. They attempt to divert attention to ideological and other political topics to mask their inaction and incompetence.
By contrast, under the previous government, GDP growth in 2021 was 8.4%, well above the average. Slovenia was among the leaders in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Where are those times, and when will they return?