Slovakia: health and care

What is life expectancy in Slovakia?

Life expectancy at birth in Slovakia was 78.4 years in 2024, according to Eurostat, based on data from the Statistical Office. It was 75.2 years for men and 81.7 years for women. It was 74.6 years in 2021 and has risen each year since.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates by age stayed as they were in that year. It is not a forecast. The gap between women and men in Slovakia is 6.5 years. The Statistical Office publishes its own mortality tables, which may differ slightly because of rounding and timing.

Official sources: Eurostat: Life expectancy by age and sex (demo_mlexpec)

How much does Slovakia spend on health care?

Slovakia's current health spending was 7.98% of GDP in 2024, up from 7.37% in 2023, according to Eurostat's health care expenditure data. It was 7.63% in 2021 and 7.71% in 2022.

The figures follow the international System of Health Accounts and include spending by health insurers, government and households. The Ministry of Finance says the 2027 budget plans health spending EUR 429 million higher than in 2026. The National Health Information Centre (NCZI) publishes detailed national health statistics.

Official sources: Eurostat: Health care expenditure by financing scheme (hlth_sha11_hf)

How many doctors does Slovakia have?

Slovakia had 394.74 professionally active physicians per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, up from 382.42 in 2023 and 356.68 in 2019, according to Eurostat's health personnel data. That is about 3.9 doctors per 1,000 people.

Professionally active physicians include those treating patients and those whose medical training is required for their job, such as in administration or research. Eurostat also publishes counts of practising and licensed physicians, which are defined differently. The National Health Information Centre (NCZI) collects the national data on the health workforce.

Official sources: Eurostat: Health personnel (hlth_rs_prs2)

What is life expectancy in Slovakia?

78.4 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Slovakia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 79.5 years; Slovakia is 30th highest of 52. Worldwide: 49th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Slovakia?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Slovakia at 5.3 per 1,000 in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 6.9 per 1,000; its low point was 2017, at 5.0 per 1,000. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.4 per 1,000, and Slovakia placed 15th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 142nd of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Slovakia?

4.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Slovakia for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 36th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 6.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 171st of 192.

How much does Slovakia spend on health?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 7.4% of GDP. The peak was 8.0% of GDP in 2009 and the low 6.6% of GDP in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.5% of GDP; Slovakia is 29th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 75th of 191.

How much of health care in Slovakia do patients pay for?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Slovakia was 20.2%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 17.9% (2016) to 27.4% (2007). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.0%, and Slovakia placed 29th highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 126th highest.

How many doctors per person does Slovakia have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Slovakia was 3.7 per 1,000 in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 3.7 per 1,000; Slovakia is 22nd highest of 42. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 29th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Slovakia have?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Slovakia was 5.6 per 1,000, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.2 per 1,000; Slovakia is 6th highest of 23. World rank, highest first: 9th of 73.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Slovakia?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Slovakia was 94.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 94.0%, and Slovakia placed 24th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 68th of 191.