According to the Statistical Register of Employment (SRDAP), the number of persons in employment in May remained broadly unchanged relative to previous months (seasonally adjusted) and compared with a year earlier. The number of persons in employment declined slightly year-on-year (–0.2%), while the number of self-employed increased (0.8%). Despite the relatively stable overall number of persons in employment, considerable differences in year-on-year changes across activities persist. The largest year-on-year declines in the number of persons in employment were recorded in administrative and support service activities (–2.4%), trade (–1.5%) and manufacturing (–1.2%), while employment was higher in public services overall (2.2% ), particularly in health and social work (3.7%). The number of foreign citizens in employment increased by 2.6% year-on-year in May, while the number of Slovenian nationals in employment declined by 0.6%, primarily due to retirements.

In May, the value of construction work put in place declined slightly but remained significantly higher than a year earlier. Following strong growth since the beginning of this year, the value of construction put in place decreased slightly in May (-2% seasonally adjusted), but remained significantly higher than in May last year (19%). In the first five months, the value of construction put in place was 24% higher than in the same period last year. The increase was strongest in civil engineering works (30%) and the construction of non-residential buildings (28%), while growth in residential buildings was lower (4%).
Year-on-year growth in construction prices picked up markedly again this year. The implicit deflator of the value of construction put in place (used to measure construction prices) increased to above 6% in May, the highest level since the beginning of 2023. Year-on-year growth in the construction cost index was even stronger, exceeding 8% in the first quarter (the latest available data). Both indicators suggest that, amid cost pressures and favourable market conditions (strong demand), firms are increasing prices more rapidly. 

The 12-month current account surplus decreased by EUR 1,4 billion compared to the previous 12-month period, reaching EUR 2.3 billion (3.1% of estimated GDP). The primary driver of this decline was a higher annual goods deficit, as imports growth outpaced exports growth. The deficit in primary income also widened, mainly due to higher net outflows of equity income (dividends and profits), and partly owing to lower subsidies received from the EU budget and higher government interest payments on external debt. The services surplus, which remained high, increased primarily as a result of higher surpluses in insurance and transport services and travel. The lower secondary income deficit resulted from higher net transfers to the private sector.

The volume of road and rail freight transport has mostly declined since 2022, with rail freight recording a particularly strong increase in the first quarter of 2026. Overall, the volume of road transport increased by less than 1% on a quarterly basis (seasonally adjusted), but was 5% lower than a year earlier. In road transport performed by Slovenian vehicles, the volume of cross-trade remained further below its 2019 level than the volume of transport at least partly taking place on Slovenian territory (exports, imports and national transport). The share of cross-trade in total transport (44%) remained below its pre-pandemic level (49% in 2019). Rail freight transport on Slovenian territory increased markedly in the first quarter, by 12% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) and by 9% year-on-year. Nevertheless, it remained well below its 2019 level.