SLOVENIA - Medical Device Industry and Demographic Data

Shown below you will find some basic demographic and economic data, plus information specific to the medical device and healthcare industry.

Capital city: Ljubljana

Total area: 20000 km²

Population: 2 million

Currency: euro

Language: Slovenian

Structure of population:
0-14 years: 13.5%
15-64 years: 69.9%
65 years and over: 16.5% (2009 est.)

Healthcare expenditure: $2 123 per capita (at int. $ rate, 2007 data)

Number of hospitals: 38 public, very few private (2007 data)

Healthcare financing: GPs are reimbursed for 50% through capitation with 1850 persons per GP listed and for 50% through fees-for-services delivered. Secondary and tertiary services' reimbursement is based on number of cases and since 2004 there is a variable part based on DRGs.

Medical device industry: Slovenia imported €34 million in medical devices in the year 2006. Imports to Slovenia mainly come from Germany, Italy, Austria, the US and Switzerland. The market has seen some growth over the last ten years. The vast majority of equipment in public hospitals is outdated and is expensive to maintain. The government has announced plans to restructure the health care sector, most likely through public-private partnerships, and it is likely that there will be an increased demand for innovative instruments and equipment. If you compare 2006 to 2005, there was a growth rate of 52% in the export and import of medical devices.