8 answers, 2 from Slovenia's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
192,915 children were enrolled in basic education in Slovenia in the 2025/26 school year, 1.4% fewer than a year earlier, according to the Statistical Office (SURS). 19,885 children started first grade, the lowest number in thirteen years.
Of the pupils, 189,380 followed regular programmes and 3,535 programmes with an adapted curriculum. Kindergartens enrolled 79,868 children, 2,544 fewer than the year before; 94% attended public kindergartens. Children in Slovenia start basic school at age 6.
85,999 students enrolled in tertiary education in Slovenia in 2025/26, 4.4% more than a year earlier, according to the Statistical Office (SURS). 76,426 were in higher education and 9,573 in higher vocational education.
Of higher education students, 54.9% were on first-cycle (bachelor's) programmes, 29.2% on master's programmes and 4.8% on doctoral programmes. SURS says student numbers have been rising again in recent years after a long fall: there were about 28,800 more students twenty years ago, but about 5,200 fewer ten years ago.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Slovenia at 98.3% in 2017. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 98.5%; its low point was 2006, at 97.1%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 95.7%, and Slovenia placed 11th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 20th of 134.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Slovenia was 107.6% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 97.2% (2006) to 115.2% (2016). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 102.3%, and Slovenia placed 15th highest of 48. Of 138 countries with 2023 data, 24th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Slovenia was 80.1% in 2023. The peak was 90.3% in 2010 and the low 75.8% in 2020. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 75.9%, and Slovenia placed 17th highest of 49. Worldwide: 23rd of 120.
In 2022, government spending on education in Slovenia was 5.3% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 5.7% of GDP in 2012 and the low 4.8% of GDP in 2017. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.5% of GDP; Slovenia is 11th highest of 45. Of 155 countries with 2022 data, 38th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Slovenia was 14 in 2016. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 16th highest of 40 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13. Of 136 countries with 2016 data, 96th highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 97.4%. The peak was 98.2% in 2015 and the low 94.4% in 2008. It is 24th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 97.9%. Of 131 countries with 2023 data, 53rd highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error