Slovenes

Slovenes
Slovenci
Slovene girls of the Gail Valley (Ziljska dolina) in holiday costume, Carinthia (1865)
Total population
c.2.5 million
Regions with significant populations
 Slovenia c. 1,631,363
 United States175,099–300,000
 Italy80,000
 Germany50,000
 Austria50,000
 Canada40,470–50,000
 Argentina30,000
 Brazil28,500 (est.)
 Australia20,000–25,000
 France20,000
  Switzerland14,000
 Croatia10,517 (2011)
 Serbia10,000
 Sweden3,300–7,000
 United Kingdom5,000
 Bosnia and Herzegovina5,000
 Hungary2,812–5,000
 Belgium4,000
 Uruguay2,000
 Spain1,213–2000
 Russia1,700 (est.)
 North Macedonia1,247
 Netherlands1,000
 Luxembourg700
 New Zealand500
 Montenegro354
 Czech Republic350
 Venezuela346
 Norway330
 Chile300
 South Africa120–300
 Portugal290
 Ireland250
 Poland250
 Japan217
 Finland196
 China147
 Singapore65–120
 Egypt96
 Jordan70
 Taiwan16
Languages
Slovene
Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholic,
Lutheran minority
Related ethnic groups
Other South Slavs
Especially Kajkavian Croats, Resians

The Slovenes, also known as Slovenians (Slovene: Slovenci [slɔˈʋéːntsi]), are a South Slavic ethnic group native to Slovenia and adjacent regions in Italy, Austria and Hungary. Slovenes share a common ancestry, culture, and history, and speak Slovene as their native language. Although Slovenes are linguistically classified as South Slavs, genetic studies indicate they share closer genetic affinities with West Slavic and Central European populations than with other South Slavs such as Bulgarians and Macedonians.

Outside of Slovenia and Europe, Slovenes form diaspora groups in the United States, Canada, Argentina and Brazil.