Although the forecast for Slovenia still puts the country's debt well below the 60% of GDP threshold set in the Stability and Growth Pact, debt has risen from 23.1% in 2007 to what is expected to be 46% in 2012.

At eurozone level, the debt level will have risen by 2012 to 88.7% from 66.3% in 2007, while the figures for the EU as a whole stand at 83.4% and 59%, respectively.

According to the European Commission, Slovenia is in the company of Cyprus, Lithuania, Belgium and Latvia as one of the countries whose government's forecasts regarding the government budget deficit diverge most substantially - by more than 1 percentage point - from those of the European Commission.

The commission repeats in its report the recommendations for Slovenia issued so far with regard to the consolidation of public finances and structural reform, including will calls for securing a sustainable pension system.