ngo sector: facts and numbers - arhiv

The Facts and Numbers section comprises some of the most important statistical data on more than 27,000 Slovenian non-governmental organisations, including the data on their revenues, their organisational forms, their number of employees, their success in acquiring public funds, and others. Special attention is paid to internationally comparable development indicators for non-governmental organisations, using which the development of the sector is monitored over long periods of time.

the number of NGOs

On October 3, 2022 there were 27.538 non-governmental organisations registered in Slovenia, of which 23.455 were associations, 3.822 (private) institutes and 261 foundations. That is 2 more less than on September 1, 2022, when there were 27.536, of which 23.465 were associations, 3.810 (private) institutes and 261 foundations.

NGOs’ revenue

In 2020, non-governmental organisations generated just above € 894 million in revenue, of which 62,28 % was contributed by associations. 91,02 % of NGO's generated less than € 50,000 in revenue, of which 19,30 operated without income.

NGOs’ expenditure

In 2020, all non-governmental organisations combined incurred expenses of € 852 million, which is € 41,68 million less than the revenue generated. The excess of revenue equalling 4,66 % of expenditure was used to pay Corporate tax (€ 3,31 million), and the remaining amount was used in compliance with the law: to achieve its primary (non-profit-making) purpose or to foster its activity.

the share of persons employed in NGOs relative to active population

In Slovenia in 2020, the share of persons employed in non-governmental organisations was 1,08 % (10,670 employees of the total active population of 990,747), and has been growing despite the economic crisis until 2017, when it was the same as previous year. In 2018 and 2019 the share grew again.

the number of people employed in NGOs

The non-governmental sector employs just under 10,700 persons. Although representing only 12.49 % of all non-governmental organisations, institutes employ more than a half.

the share of NGOs’ revenue relative to gdp

The share of NGOs’ revenue relative to gross domestic product is a development indicator for the non-governmental sector in the country. In 2020, the total NGOs’ revenue represented 1,91 % of Slovenian GDP.

the share of revenue from public funds

The share of public funds in total revenue of non-governmental organisations had been decreasing until 2017, when it finally increased slightly in comparison to the previous year for the first time in five years. The share of public funds in 2017 was 35.57%. The growth continued and in 2020 the share of public funds was 46.54%.

public funding – aggregated data

In 2003, non-governmental organisations were allocated € 166,76 million of public funds. In 2021 they were allocated € 533,71 million.

public funding by ministries

In 2021, non-governmental organisations altogether received € 252,29 million from ministries. In comparison to 2003, the amount is higher by 539,27 % or € 212,82 million, and in comparison to 2009, the amount is higher by 221,94 % or about € 173,92 million.

public funding by municipalities

In 2021, non-governmental organisations received € 125,30 million from municipalities, which is 9.16 % or € 10.51 million more than previous year. This means 100,20 % or about € 62.71 million more than in 2003 and 36.66 % or about € 33.61 million more than in 2009.

funding by public corporations

In 2021, public corporations and other public law entities, the data of which is processed by the Treasury and which are not budget users (including, for example, chambers and student organisations), allocated € 16,42 million to non-governmental organisations.

personal income tax donations

Since 2007, each personal income taxpayer may allocate a part of his or her personal income tax to publicly beneficial purposes. Until 2019 it amounted to 0.5 % of personal income tax, from 2020 onwards taxpayers may donate 1 %. Potential recipients of “personal income tax donations” are mostly non-governmental organisations: in 2021, there were 6.065 eligible NGOs, as well as political parties, trade unions, religious communities and others, totalling 6.302.

donations of legal entities

Data on corporate donations are obtained from data on the application of tax relief for donations, as those who donate, as a rule, also claim tax relief for their donations. A total sum of donations of legal entities is not accessible because donations are not recorded separately in the accounting books. However, a taxpayer usually claims tax relief for amounts paid as donations. From those claims we can collect information about how many legal entities and self-employed persons decide to donate and how much the total sum of tax relief is.