Slovenia faces high levels of vacant housing and low trust in scientists

Slovenia is experiencing distinct social and demographic challenges regarding scientific trust and housing availability. According to 2024 Eurobarometer data, nearly half of Slovenians (47.4%) perceive scientists as narrow-minded, a figure significantly higher than the European average of 27.6%. While 92.1% of the population acknowledges the intelligence of scientists, a gap exists between scientific knowledge and public trust. Experts at a strategic forum in Ljubljana noted that this skepticism is driven more by conspiracy theories than by education levels.

In the housing sector, Slovenia holds one of the highest proportions of unoccupied dwellings among OECD countries. Data from 2021 indicates that out of 864,300 dwellings, 165,600 were unoccupied. Research from the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia suggests that many large family homes remain underutilized because elderly owners, often living alone, are emotionally attached to their homes or view them as family heritage. Additionally, fears of tenant exploitation and legal or financial barriers prevent many owners from renting out these vacant spaces.