Following a decline at the end of last year, the number of persons in employment remained relatively stable in January and February (seasonally adjusted). This trend may be attributed to labour shortages and heightened uncertainty in the international economic environment. Year-on-year, employment decreased by 0.3%. The most significant decline was recorded in administrative and support service activities (-4.8%), mainly due to a significant decline in employment activities. Employment also dropped in manufacturing (-1.8%) and, for the second consecutive time, in construction (-1.4%). In contrast, growth was observed in public service activities, particularly in human health activities (3.2%) and education (1.7%). 

Following robust growth in November of last year, construction activity decreased in subsequent months, including in February (seasonally adjusted). Construction activity gradually declined last year amid significant fluctuations, strengthened sharply in November, and then fell again. Compared to the summer low of last year, construction activity increased the most in building construction by February. Activity also rose in specialized construction works, while it remained broadly unchanged in civil engineering. Compared to February of last year, activity was 11% lower, with the sharpest decrease recorded in civil engineering. 

In March, year-on-year growth in Slovenian industrial producer prices rose again, reaching 1.2%. Prices on the domestic market were up by 0.9%, which is slightly less than the 1.5% increase recorded on foreign markets. The highest year-on-year price growth continues to be recorded in consumer goods, with the overall rate remaining close to 3% in March. The price increase for non-durable consumer goods was relatively high (3.8%). Prices in manufacture of beverages increased by 8.4% year-on-year, while water supply prices increased by 5.4%. Prices of durable goods declined slightly, by 0.4%. For the first time since July 2023, prices of intermediate goods rose year-on-year, by 0.6%, accompanied by a similar rise in capital goods prices (0.7%). Although energy prices jumped by 5% month-on-month in March, they remained 1.8% lower year-on-year.

Electricity consumption in the distribution network was slightly lower year-on-year in March (-0.4%). This decline was mainly due to lower industrial consumption, which decreased by 2.3% year-on-year, despite the same number of working days. In contrast, electricity consumption by households and small business consumers increased by 2% and 3.5%, respectively. 

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the volume of road freight transport increased, while the volume of rail transport declined. The volume of road transport by Slovenian vehicles increased in both road traffic performed at least partially on Slovenian territory (exports, imports and national transport) and in cross-trade transport. The share of cross-trade in total transport was about 46%, which is 5 p.p. lower than pre-COVID levels. Year-on-year, the volume of road freight transport in the fourth quarter was 3% higher, but over the entire year 2024 it was lower by the same percentage. Rail freight transport in the fourth quarter declined by 5% year-on-year; however, due to growth in the second quarter, it was only 1% lower in the entire year. Compared to the same quarter in 2019, both rail and road transport in Q4 2024 were around 10% lower.