Macroeconomic environment

zgradba Banke Slovenije

March 10, 2026

Economic growth continues in the early part of the year, but the war in the Middle East brings increased risks

The current indicators for the early part of this year show growth continuing in the domestic economy and in the euro area overall. The escalation of the war in the Middle East is increasing the risks to both economic growth and inflation. The new Review of macroeconomic developments provides detailed analysis of the domestic macrofinancial environment, and also features our finding that financing is among the least constraining factors for corporate investmentin Slovenia, but weaknesses are evident in the support for SMEs and in the promotion of innovation and the digital transformation of the economy.

In focus

The Macro-Financial Environment in Slovenia: Adequate Support for Corporate Investment?

In the latest Review of Macroeconomic Developments, we analyse the macro-financial environment in Slovenia and its role in corporate investment. Despite lower corporate indebtedness and similar financing conditions, investment by Slovenian firms has lagged behind that of comparable euro area countries over the past decade, particularly in investment in intellectual property. The key obstacles are not related to financing but rather to uncertainty and unpredictability in the business environment, shortages of skilled labour, and cost-related and tax-administrative burdens.

At the same time, the structure of the macro-financial environment still falls short in supporting small and medium-sized firms and in fostering innovation and the digital transformation of the economy. Companies continue to perceive banks’ support primarily in relation to traditional forms of investment (equipment, machinery, real estate). Given the expected composition of corporate investment going forward, this increases the risk of a further decline in the role of the banking system in corporate financing.

Read more in the March issue of the Review of Macroeconomic Developments.

Model-based nowcasts of quarterly GDP growth

Current data

Economic activity

GDP

Latest data: Q4 2025.

Source: SORS.

Inflation

inflation

Latest data: February 2025.

Sources: SORS, Eurostat, Banka Slovenije calculations.

Labour Market

labour market

Latest data: registered unemployment: December 2025; persons in employment: February 2026.

Sources: SORS, Banka Slovenije calculations

Balance of Payments

Current account

Latest data: December 2025.

Source: Banka Slovenije.

Economic publications

Naslovnica publikacije
March 12, 2026

Review of macroeconomic developments, March 2026

Naslovnica publikacije
February 3, 2026

Review of macroeconomic developments, January 2026

Naslovnica publikacije
January 7, 2026

Review of macroeconomic developments and projections, December 2025

Naslovnica publikacije
November 6, 2025

Review of macroeconomic developments, October 2025

Research publications

Naslovnica publikacije
February 13, 2026

Nik Gabrovšek: Uncertainty indicators for the Slovenian economy

Naslovnica publikacije
February 3, 2026

Nik Gabrovšek, Domen Pavlič: Media attention on inflation: Evidence from over 600,000 web scraped news articles

Naslovnica publikacije
February 2, 2026

MatjaĹľ Volk: Pricing Risk or Rationing Credit? Bank Behaviour in a Tightening Monetary Cycle

Naslovnica publikacije
November 10, 2025

Luka Žakelj, Mojca Lindič: Immediate macroeconomic importance of the pharmaceutical sector