The global recession affected the Slovak economy to a greater extent than most other OECD countries, primarily owing to its exposure to world trade and its specialisation in cyclical export goods, notably cars. In tandem with developments in its main trading partner economies, the economy is now recovering at an above average pace. Challenges for re-establishing a sustainable high-growth trajectory are countering the risk of increasing long term unemployment, bringing government finances back on a sustainable path and reaping the benefits of a transition to greener growth.