The Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency published an interview with University of Ljubljana professor Matjaž Dolšek on Slovenia’s earthquake exposure, the vulnerability of the building stock, and how risk information and insurance interact with mitigation efforts. The piece highlights that a material share of homes and critical public infrastructure is assessed as not earthquake-resistant, with potential losses running into the billions. The interview references a 2020 study prepared for the then Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, including a scenario based on the 1895 Ljubljana earthquake that estimated median direct damage to buildings at around EUR 7.2bn, with the professor noting this would be higher in current conditions due to construction cost increases. A second, time-based modelling approach estimated that around 20% of objects are not earthquake-resistant, equivalent to about 100,000 buildings or parts of buildings housing roughly 400,000 people, with the value of that building stock estimated at EUR 18-20bn. It also describes a stress test of the wider public sector building stock that found roughly 80% of public buildings (including hospitals and schools) are earthquake-vulnerable, with hospitals assessed worst and many assets classified in a “D” category described as long-term unacceptable from a seismic risk perspective, alongside observations that energy renovations have often been carried out on seismically weak buildings without strengthening. The interview discusses the use of “seismic certificates” to inform owners and notes ongoing work to stress-test the University of Ljubljana’s own buildings through inspections and document review to estimate vulnerability and expected annual monetary loss.
Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency 2025-04-16
Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency publishes expert interview warning of EUR 7.2bn earthquake damage scenario and widespread non-earthquake-resistant buildings
The Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency published an interview with Professor Matjaž Dolšek on Slovenia's earthquake exposure, highlighting vulnerabilities in homes and public infrastructure. A 2020 study estimated median direct damage at EUR 7.2 billion, with current conditions likely increasing this due to higher construction costs. The interview noted that around 20% of buildings are not earthquake-resistant, and 80% of public buildings, including hospitals and schools, are vulnerable, with many classified as long-term unacceptable from a seismic risk perspective.