Slovakia is not only home to Slovaks but also to people of other nationalities who have found ideal work, partners, or study opportunities in the country. What are the main statistics on foreigners living in Slovakia?
Number and origin of foreigners in Slovakia
Currently, there are around 325,000 foreigners living in Slovakia, which represents approximately 6% of the total population. The most common foreign residents are citizens of the European Union, Ukraine, Serbia, and Vietnam. In recent years, Ukrainian citizens have become the largest and fastest-growing group of foreigners in Slovakia.
Only Poland and Romania have fewer foreigners in the EU
Compared to other European Union countries, Slovakia ranks among those with the lowest percentage of foreign residents. Official statistics also indicate that most foreigners live in Bratislava or the Bratislava region, which makes sense, particularly from an employment perspective.
In the capital city, about one-quarter of all foreigners in Slovakia reside, and in the Bratislava region, one-third. After Bratislava, the Trnava and Nitra regions are the most attractive to foreigners in terms of job opportunities.
Employment opportunities and integration
Foreigners come to Slovakia for better job opportunities, education, or family reunification, and sometimes for political or social reasons. They often find work in industries such as manufacturing, construction, services, and the IT sector. Slovakia is one of the European countries with a lower percentage of foreign residents, but these people frequently fill positions that local residents may not be interested in. Commonly filled positions include machine and equipment operators, as well as helpers and unskilled workers.
Cultural diversity in cities
In addition to Bratislava, other larger cities such as Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Žilina, and Nitra are also of interest to foreigners. Košice, in particular, offers a rich cultural scene and an ideal location for exploring Central and Eastern Europe. In smaller towns and villages, foreigners often integrate into local communities, contributing to multicultural diversity and enriching local traditions.
Although the proportion of foreigners in Slovakia is not high compared to some neighboring countries, their presence is important for the economic and cultural development of the country.