Slovakia

D

Local Government

Local administration is the preserve of district bureaux, which are popularly elected. These have power to levy local taxes and run local services.

E

Health and Welfare

Average life expectancy at birth in Slovakia in 2008 was 71.2 years for men and 79.3 years for women. In 2004 there were 307 people for each doctor, and in 2003 1 hospital bed for every 139 people. Free national health care is provided by a state insurance system. However, coverage in remoter rural areas is notably poorer. In 1994, 1.87 per cent of GDP was allocated to health expenditure, and in 2008 infant mortality was 7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

F

Defence

Slovak armed forces, which were divided from Czech forces during the breakup, numbered about 20,195 personnel, including an army of 12,860 and an air force of 5,160 in 2004. There is a compulsory period of nine months of military service for males of 18 years and older; women can enlist voluntarily. In 2003, Slovakia spent US$627 million on defence (1.9 per cent of the GDP).

G

International Organizations

Slovakia is a member of the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, the Partnership for Peace (PFP), the Central European Initiative (CEI), the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the European Union (EU).

VI

History

For the history of Slovakia prior to 1918, see under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For the period between 1918 and 1992, see Czechoslovakia.