Slovenia's latest 2030 strategy was prepared in 2017, and we all know very well what has changed since then.
Therefore, our title for this post is no mistake. Instead of Slovenia's development model, we need to have a serious conversation about the development problem we face as a country and a society—a problem that the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development of the Republic of Slovenia has clearly and unequivocally described in its report “Quality of Life in Slovenia — Development Report 2025”.
While it is encouraging that the quality of life in Slovenia remains high, the aforementioned office also highlights the very real challenges that lie ahead—challenges we must tackle with all seriousness and determination if we are to achieve a genuine development breakthrough. The office states:”A high quality of life accompanied by a significant lag in productivity, which requires an accelerated transition to innovation-driven growth and a low-carbon circular economy, as well as the strengthening of a creative, long-lived society and institutional environment”.
At the Slovenian Technology Forum, we are guided by our Manifesto and our core premise: to achieve a development breakthrough for Slovenia, we need more reasoned, future-oriented dialogue.
In our upcoming posts, we will focus on the findings and recommendations of the report regarding productivity, creating higher added value, creativity, innovation, investment in new breakthrough technologies, and education, training, and skills for the 21st century.
Stay tuned, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Barbara Krajnc, Director of the STF,
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BONUS SECTION
We assume that not many people have read the report in its entirety, even though it would be highly desirable—if not necessary—to do so. We also noticed a lack of representation from the business sector at the presentation itself. To make things easier for you, we asked ChatGPT to prepare a structured, memorable, and engaging summary for the average reader, and this is what we got:
How are we living (well) in Slovenia? — IMAD 2025 at a glance
🔹1. We are (still) living well!
• Income and material well-being are improving.
• Slovenia has one of the smallest gaps between rich and poor in the EU.
• Poverty remains low, though it has increased slightly in recent years.
📚 2. Knowledge is power — but what happens when it declines?
• We have a highly educated population, especially among adults.
• However, young people are losing literacy and creativity skills — this is a warning sign for the future.
❤️ 3. Health — we are among the best
• We enjoy a long, healthy life, which is above the EU average.
• Nevertheless, waiting lists and access to long-term care remain a challenge.
🌍 4. Nature — our greatest strength
• We have clean water and satisfactory soil quality, but the air is often overloaded with particulate matter.
• Spatial development is uneven: cities are growing while rural areas are emptying out.
💼 5. Economy — stable, but with room for improvement
• Low unemployment and stable public finances.
• However, we still lag behind the EU in productivity — a key task for the future.
🚀 6. What is the key now?
IMAD calls for:
• Let's accelerate our transition toward innovation and a green economy.
• Let us build a creative and long-lasting society.
• Let us strengthen the institutions that make it possible.
We asked ChatGPT to summarize the key directions of UMAR's recommendations, and here is the result:
🚀 Where Do We Go Now? — UMAR's Call for the Future
Slovenia stands at a crossroads: we have a good starting point, but if we want a better future, we must take bold steps forward. UMAR highlights three major directions:
💡 Innovation, not repetition
• We need a breakthrough in knowledge and technology — this means more investment in research, development, and businesses that create high added value.
• It is no longer just about “doing more,” but about doing things smarter, faster, and differently.
♻️ Green and circular economy
• The economy must become more environmentally friendly, as the current model is not sustainable.
• The path to a low-carbon society includes a shift to renewable energy, more efficient resource use, and a reduction in waste.
👵👨 💻 The society of the future: creative and long-lived
• With an ageing population, we need systems that enable active living at every stage — both in the labour market and in the community.
• UMAR promotes the development of a society built on knowledge, collaboration, and creativity.
🏛️ Strong institutions = the foundation of everything
• Without efficient public services, digitalization, and trust in the rule of law, there is no long-term progress.
• The quality of management is decisive for the success of all other changes.
