Slovakia recorded its lowest number of births in more than a century last year, raising concerns about the future of the country's education system. The Ministry of Education says the continuing decline in the number of children will gradually affect schools across the country, and plans are now being prepared to optimize the school network.
Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (HLAS-SD) says the goal is to create stronger regional education centers. Smaller schools could remain in individual communities, but where the number of pupils is very low, some may no longer offer the second stage of primary education.
For now, strong population cohorts are still moving through the school system, and many primary schools continue to operate at or near full capacity. A number of towns and municipalities are still struggling with shortages of places in kindergartens and primary schools.
However, the chairman of the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia, Jozef Božik, says the drop in birth rates is so significant that the current shortage of school places could disappear entirely even in Bratislava within a few years. He points out that Slovakia recorded nearly 60,000 births in 2017, compared with around 42,000 today. The decline is dramatic, and this year's figure could fall below 40,000 births, making the situation even worse than in 2025.
As student numbers decline, school buildings that are currently being expanded or renovated could eventually be used for other purposes, such as social care facilities for older people. At present, seniors make up about one-fifth of Slovakia's population. By 2050, their share could exceed one-third, reflecting the country's rapidly ageing population.
Source: STVR
