Region
As it is indicated in its name the range of the Chamber's activities encompasses the region of Dolenjska and Bela krajina. This is an area, crossed by many important international traffic routes, it lies in the South-eastern part of Slovenia, it is boarding with Croatia and it is at the same time southernmost border of the European Union. Considering the traffic system it is at the centre of the Slovenian motorway cross, which is a part of European transport corridor, and it is along the planned 3rd development axis, which will improve traffic connection of the region with the European Union as well as countries south of Slovenia (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia ...).
Introduction of the region of Dolenjska and Bela krajina
The Dolenjska and Bela krajina region covers an area of 1,691 km2 which is 8.3 % of the whole Slovenian territory. It has 119,564 inhabitants which is 5.6 % of entire Slovenia’s population. The region is divided into 15 municipalities where the Municipality of Novo mesto represents the biggest one and is spread on 236 km2 with the population 38,831.
Review of population count and surface area in municipalities of Dolenjska and Bela krajina
| Municipality | Surface area in km² |
Population count |
|---|---|---|
| Črnomelj | 340 | 14,170 |
| Dolenjske Toplice | 110 | 3,689 |
| Metlika | 109 | 8,540 |
| Mirna | 31 | 2,848 |
| Mirna Peč | 48 | 3,222 |
| Mokronog – Trebelno | 74 | 3,277 |
| Novo mesto | 236 | 38,831 |
| Semič | 147 | 3,809 |
| Straža | 29 | 3,990 |
| Šentjernej | 96 | 7,479 |
| Šentrupert | 49 | 2,954 |
| Škocjan | 61 | 3,597 |
| Šmarješke Toplice | 34 | 3,642 |
| Trebnje | 163 | 13,814 |
| Žužemberk | 164 | 4,702 |
| Dolenjska and Bela krajina | 1,691 | 119,564 |
| Slovenia | 20,271 | 2,135,107 |
| % of Dolenjska and Bela krajina in SLO | 8.3 | 5.6 |
Source: Statistical office of Republic of Slovenia website.
Compared to other statistical regions, Dolenjska and Bela krajina stand out in terms of:
- the share of revenues generated through exports, amounting to 60.7%;
- the average gross salary paid, which in 2025 amounted to EUR 2,750, compared to EUR 2,474 at the national level;
- the level of net value added per employee, which in companies in Dolenjska and Bela krajina amounted to EUR 81,129 in 2025, compared to EUR 77,983 in Southeast Slovenia and EUR 67,102 at the national level; and
- the level of net profit per employee, which in companies in Dolenjska and Bela krajina amounted to EUR 24,728 in 2025, compared to EUR 22,546 in Southeast Slovenia and EUR 13,667 at the national level.
