PRESENTING SLOVAKIA, A TAPESTRY OF CULTURES
Located in the heart of Europe, Slovakia has about half the population of Portugal, almost seven times less than Poland and ten times less than Colombia. The Slovak market is smaller than the other countries in which Jerónimo Martins operates, but its dynamics and prosperity are closely linked to the high levels of education in the country. Slovakia is one of the European countries with the lowest percentage of people with low levels of education. Only 6.2% of Slovaks have not completed secondary education, in line with Poland (5.7%), and much better than the EU average (almost 21%) or Portugal, where 40.6% of people have not completed secondary education.
Population size
5.4M
Slovakia
10.5M
Portugal
36.7M
Poland
52.1M
Colombia
Source: World Bank (2023)
Slovakia shares borders with five countries: Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Ukraine. Many of these borders are natural, such as the Danube River, which marks the border with Hungary for about 100 kilometres, or the Tatra Mountains, which separate Slovakia from Poland. The capital is Bratislava, home to about 500,000 people.
The country became independent on 1 January 1993, the date of the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia – known as the Velvet Divorce. Slovakia joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, the same day as Poland, and has been a member of the eurozone since 1 January 2009. Like Portugal and Poland, Slovakia is part of the Schengen area, which allows more than 400 million European citizens to move freely, without borders.
SLOVAKIA IS A YOUNG NATION WITH AN ANCIENT HISTORY
Around the year 500 BC, the Celts began to colonise what is now Slovakia, building fortified cities in places such as Bratislava and Havránok, where there is even an open-air museum where many recovered and preserved artifacts show the presence of the Celts and, later, the Romans.
Slovakia has its roots in the Great Moravian Empire, formed by the union of the principalities of Morava and Nitra, which forged the Slovak identity in the 9th century.
During the medieval period, Slovakia saw the growth of towns, the establishment of mining industries and the spread of Christianity. The integration into the Kingdom of Hungary brought significant political and cultural changes. Towns such as Bratislava and Košice became important centres of trade and commerce, and the discovery of rich mineral deposits, particularly gold and silver, led to the development of a thriving mining industry. This period also saw the construction of numerous castles and fortresses, which served as administrative and defensive structures. The country came under Habsburg rule by the 16th century, marking the beginning of a new era of significant political and cultural transformations. Habsburg control brought about centralisation and efforts to consolidate their power across their diverse empire.
The 19th century saw a rise in Slovak nationalism, with efforts to preserve the Slovak language and culture. The Slovak National Revival, led by figures such as the revolutionary, politician and writer Ľudovít Štúr, sought to promote Slovak identity and resist Magyarisation policies. This period of national awakening laid the groundwork for future political developments and the eventual quest for autonomy.
After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of the First World War, Slovakia was incorporated into Czechoslovakia. In 1993, two years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emancipation of the countries of Eastern Europe, the two states peacefully separated to form Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
SLOVAKIA NOWADAYS
Slovakia is an advanced high-income market economy that has undergone significant transformation since its transition from a centrally planned system in the early 1990s. Slovakia is a member of the European Union (EU), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and NATO, reflecting its integration into the global stage.
Top Slovakian exports:
Cars, motor vehicle parts and accessories
Video displays
Broadcasting equipment
One of the key drivers of Slovakia’s economic growth is its robust industrial sector, particularly the automotive industry. Slovakia is one of the largest per capita car producers in the world, with major manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Kia and Stellantis (owner of Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat) operating large plants in the country. As well as being a major contributor to the GDP, the sector also provides significant employment opportunities.
The services sector also plays an important role and financial services, tourism, and information technology are among the leading sub-sectors. Bratislava has even become a regional hub for financial and business services, attracting significant foreign investment.
The Biedronka-led investment that Jerónimo Martins is making in Slovakia is a true example of confidence in the future and in the development of the country and its people.
