Slovenia has declared the end of the epidemic. Some measures will continue to apply, but the situation is calming down. There is a sense of relief after eight months of the epidemic, but there is no sense of euphoria as was felt a year ago. There is a strong awareness that the events of the past eight months may be repeated. The delta variant, which is currently almost undetected in Slovenia, may become prevalent by the autumn, experts warn. That is why everyone, from the Minister of Health to doctors and scientists, has repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated.

The Bank of Slovenia also notes in its latest forecast that a sufficient vaccination level is a necessary condition for the realisation of promising economic forecasts. In the context of the improving epidemiological picture, the Bank of Slovenia expects economic growth to reach 5.2% this year and to remain high next year (4.8%). GDP is thus expected to already reach the pre-crisis level by the beginning of next year. Economic growth will be driven by both domestic and foreign demand. Inflation will also rise and remain below the medium-term target of less than 2% but will be close to that limit. 

With the prospect of such economic growth, we can look to the future more calmly, while hoping, sufficiently vaccinated, that the virus will not hit us again.