Slovakia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Slovakia?

Slovakia's unemployment rate was 5.7% in August 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to Eurostat's monthly unemployment data. The rate has been between 5.7% and 5.8% every month of 2026.

Eurostat's rate follows the International Labour Organization definition: people without work who are available and have looked for a job in the past four weeks, as a share of the labour force. It comes from the Statistical Office's labour force survey. The Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR) publishes a different measure, based on people registered at labour offices, in its monthly unemployment statistics.

Official sources: Eurostat: Unemployment by sex and age, monthly (une_rt_m) · ÚPSVaR: Monthly unemployment statistics

What is youth unemployment in Slovakia?

The unemployment rate for people under 25 in Slovakia was 17.4% in August 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to Eurostat's monthly unemployment data. It was 18.8% in May 2026 and has eased in each month since. The rate for all ages was 5.7%.

The youth rate is a share of young people who are in the labour force, not of all young people: students who are not looking for work are left out. Because the labour force under 25 is small, the monthly youth figures are based on fewer survey responses and can move more from month to month than the overall rate.

Official sources: Eurostat: Unemployment by sex and age, monthly (une_rt_m)

What is the minimum wage in Slovakia?

Slovakia's minimum wage is EUR 915 a month in 2026 and will rise to EUR 972 a month from January 2027, according to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (12 October 2026). The ministry says it should exceed EUR 1,000 in 2028. Night and weekend supplements, which are linked to the minimum wage, rise with it.

Since a 2024 amendment, the minimum wage is set automatically at 60% of the average wage two years earlier, the ministry explains in a March 2026 release. It also says almost 129,000 employees, 6.7% of all employees, worked for the basic minimum wage in 2025. Higher minimum wage claims apply to more demanding jobs.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour: State budget 2027 release (12 October 2026) · Ministry of Labour: Minimum wage 2027 release (3 March 2026)

How much is the 13th pension in Slovakia?

The 13th pension for people receiving an old-age pension is EUR 667.30 and will be paid in December 2026, according to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (12 October 2026). Every pensioner receives the same amount, regardless of the size of their regular pension.

The ministry says the 2027 budget keeps the 13th pension and plans an annual increase in pensions from January 2027. It also describes a proposal to raise pensions for people aged 85 and over to at least EUR 708.60 a month, affecting about 38,000 seniors.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour: State budget 2027 release (12 October 2026)

How much is the minimum wage in Slovakia?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Slovakia was 915 EUR a month in 2026. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Slovakia?

In 2025, average monthly earnings of employees in Slovakia was $2,496 a month, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Slovakia is 21st highest of 32. Worldwide: 23rd of 57.

How high is unemployment in Slovakia?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Slovakia at 5.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 16.3%; its low point was 2024, at 5.3%. It is 26th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. Worldwide: 78th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Slovakia?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Slovakia was 18.4%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 34.1%; its low point was 2018, at 15.0%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Slovakia placed 18th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 54th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Slovakia?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Slovakia at 60.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 58.7% (2009) to 61.2% (2023). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Slovakia placed 23rd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 99th highest.

What share of women in Slovakia are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Slovakia at 55.1% in 2025. The peak was 55.7% in 2023 and the low 50.1% in 2009. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Slovakia is 22nd highest of 47. Worldwide: 78th of 174.

How many people in Slovakia are employed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 57.2%. The peak was 57.6% in 2023 and the low 49.8% in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 174.

How common is self-employment in Slovakia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 11.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 10.5% (2005) to 12.9% (2012). It is 22nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 133rd highest.

What share of jobs in Slovakia are salaried?

85.1%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Slovakia for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 86.1% in 2005 and the low 83.7% in 2010. It is 26th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 40th highest.