Industry Turnover Declines Slightly as Other Slovak Sectors Grow in January

Turnover across most monitored sectors of the Slovak economy increased at the beginning of 2026, although the country’s key industrial sector recorded a modest decline, according to preliminary data published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.

In January 2026, turnover in industry fell by 1 percent year-on-year in real terms, meaning figures were adjusted for inflation. The decrease followed a slight increase recorded in December 2025. Of the 16 industrial branches monitored, nine reported lower turnover compared with the same period a year earlier.

The overall result was largely influenced by a significant reduction in turnover in the manufacture of metals, which declined by 9.9 percent year-on-year, and in the manufacture of wood products, where turnover fell by 26.2 percent. These declines were partly offset by stronger performance in electricity and gas supply and in the manufacture of transport equipment.

Other sectors monitored on a monthly basis reported higher turnover at the start of the year. The strongest growth was recorded in information and communication, where turnover increased by 11.2 percent year-on-year, marking the fastest pace of expansion in thirteen months.

More moderate increases were recorded in several other sectors. Turnover rose by 2.1 percent in construction, by 1.4 percent in selected market services, and by 0.6 percent in transportation and storage.

Month-on-month developments, after seasonal adjustment, showed a mixed picture. Turnover increased in three of the five monitored sectors: industry rose by 0.3 percent compared with December, transportation and storage increased by 2 percent, and information and communication grew by 0.7 percent. At the same time, selected market services recorded a 1.3 percent decline, while construction turnover fell by 1.2 percent.

The figures are based on monthly surveys covering key sectors of the economy, including industry, construction, transportation and storage, information and communication, and selected market services. These results provide an early indication of economic activity at the beginning of the year and remain preliminary.